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How to Make Faceless Amish Dolls

Historically, Amish dolls have been made without a face because the Amish believe the Bible prohibits making anything with a human face. Traditionally, the dolls are made simply, reflecting the plain lifestyle of the Amish. Male dolls usually wear black suspenders and trousers, while female dolls wear black skirts and bonnets. The faceless dolls have a shapeless body and head. If desired, the doll can have just a torso and arms, as a long skirt will hide the missing legs.

Things You'll Need

Pencil
Pattern paper
Scissors
Pins
White cotton fabric
Needle
Thread
Cotton stuffing
Black cotton fabric
Purple cotton fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the shape of a 12-inch-tall gingerbread man on pattern paper. Cut out the pattern and pin it to the white cotton fabric.
- 2
  Cut out the white cotton fabric along the pattern lines, adding a half-inch around the doll for the seam.
- 3
  Repeat steps 1 and 2 so you have two identical fabric bodies.
- 4
  Hand-stitch both pieces together with a needle and thread, leaving a half-inch seam along the edge. Leave a gap open on the doll's leg.
- 5
  Push cotton stuffing through the open gap, using a pencil, to fill the body and head. Stitch the gap in the seam shut.
- 6
  Place the black fabric on top of the doll's head and measure the approximate size needed for the bonnet. Cut the black fabric into a circle that will cover the back of the head and forehead. Hand-stitch the bonnet onto the doll's head.
- 7
  Place the purple fabric on the doll to cover its chest and arms. Cut the fabric into a blouse and hand-stitch it onto the doll so the chest, arms and back are covered completely.
- 8
  Wrap the black fabric onto the the doll to determine the size of the skirt. Cut the black fabric into a large rectangle and hand-stitch around the doll's waist. The skirt should cover the legs and feet completely.

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