How to Sew a Two-Dimensional Doll

Fold a piece of fabric in half and use tailor̵7;s chalk to trace the outline of a doll on the fabric. Cut around the doll outline, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the main body of the doll.

Create the facial features, hair and other body features on one side of the doll using a permanent marker. Draw in hair and other features appropriate to the back of the doll.

Lay the face of the doll on the back of the doll and pin the two pieces of fabric together so that the right sides of the doll are facing. Sew around the edges of the doll, leaving a 2-inch gap in the seam at the bottom of one of the feet. Turn the doll right-side out through the gap in the foot. Use a small dowel rod to gently push the rounded edges of the doll into a flat seam. Iron the doll flat. Turn the unfinished edge in the foot toward the inside of the doll 1/2 inch and pin closed. Top stitch around the edges of the doll to reinforce the seams, stitching the gap in the foot closed.

Punch three pairs of parallel holes down the center front of the doll for lacing using a fabric punch. Space the holes 3/4 inch apart vertically and horizontally like the holes for shoelaces. Place a grommet in each hole and use the fabric punch to smash the grommets flat around the sides of each hole. Cut a length of plastic lacing long enough to lace down the front of the doll and allow a bow tied between the bottom holes. Sew the middle of the plastic lace to the back of the doll between the top set of parallel grommets to keep the laces from getting lost. For a very young child, sew the bow in place until the child is old enough to work the laces for herself.

Sew on buttons for eyes, a red strip of cloth for lips, or other facial features. These are optional steps and may not be appropriate if you give the doll to very young child.