Fairy Doll Tutorial

Step 1

pick a picture to make into a doll.  (I used a picture of my great-grandmother, Isabelle “Belle” Melissa)  scan it onto your computer and print it with your inkjet printer onto computer fabric.  I used a prepackaged colorfast fabric sheet (like this)

Step 2

on the backside, outline the part of the picture you want to be the doll.  I held it up to a sunny window to see it better.

Step 3

embroider a wand using silk ribbon

Step 4

carefully pin (right sides together) around the doll outline, to fabric that you chose for the back.  DO NOT cut around the doll yet!  Stitch along the doll outline. make sure you leave an opening for turning.

Step 5

trim around the doll and clip to make turning easier.

Step 6

Make a base for the doll so she can stand. 

mark the base fabric where the seams are and draw an oval shape to cut out…

I used a ribbon spool to use as my template.

carefully pin right sides together to the bottom of doll.  stich with a 1/4″ seam.

Step 7

turn the doll right side out.  I used a medical tool to turn it with, and a bamboo skewer to push the fabric into place…

Time to stuff your doll! 

put some glass gems in the base of the doll before stuffing.  slip stich the opening closed.

Step 8

Now you are ready to turn her into a fairy!

I sewed a shell button bird onto her hand, made her a crown from jewelry wire and beads, and tulle wings.

I attached the wings by threading the tulle through the shank on a dragonflybutton, and then sewing it onto her back.

If you make a doll using my tutorial,  I would love to see it!  I’ve set up a flickr group for everyone to show-n-tell what y’all make from my tutorials!