DIY Cookie Cutter Doll

© Melissa Gaggiano

    It's the winter break and I've got the kids making dolls. It's fun, and whiles away the time in a productive manner. I made a basic cookie cutter doll pattern, which was cut from felt fabric. The good thing about felt is that it doesn't fray, so you don't worry about seam frays.

    I have had minimal involvement in the doll making process. I help the kids when they ask for help, and I just make sure that the dolls have some kind of structural integrity [don't want the filling popping out].

1.     I get the girls started - show them a blanket stitch and let them stitch the body pieces together along the edge. Keeping an 8 cm opening at the top of the head. Since felt is being used there is no need to turn the doll body through.
2.  The dolls are then stuffed with doll filler. Using the same blanket stitch the top of the head is sewn shut. 
3. The faces of the dolls are painted on.*
4. Using additional felt [even scraps] drape the fabric over the doll bodies, cut out the clothing pieces and sew directly onto the doll bodies.*

* The important thing about this activity, particularly with the last two steps is to let the kids play with draping, cutting their own shapes and sewing the pieces onto the doll bodies. The rules are 'there are no rules'. Whatever your child creates will be perfect in their own mind.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

    If you wish to do this project I am providing a free pattern for the doll cookie cutter body. Let's see what you come up with.

© Melissa Gaggiano
Print on an A4 page; Cut out pattern;
Trace outline on 2 pieces of felt [front & back].