Create your own customized art doll with your sewing or embroidery machine. Most of the materials can be found at thrift stores or use your own stash of fabrics or old clothes. The class includes patterns for an intermediate-level art doll for both sewing and embroidery machines. More patterns can be purchased from www.BallyhooCreations.com

Skills taught in this art doll class:

Use your sewing or embroidery machine to sew the pieces of your art doll
Use machine embroidery design templates as a sewing pattern
Modify a sewing pattern to customize your doll's size or shape
Work with stretch fabrics and tame them under your needle
Create a face with stitches or fabric markers
Close the seam openings with an invisible stitch
Create moving joints for the head, legs, and arms
Cut, turn, and stuff an art doll for flawless results

If you've never sewn a doll before, you might want to start with a beginner level project such as my Gnome class:

Tools & Materials You’ll need:

A detailed supply list is in your class downloads so you can print it out and check off your supplies. but this gives you an idea of items you might need to shop for:

Embroidery machine OR sewing machine for doll seams
If using an embroidery machine, the body, arms, and legs require 5x7” hoop, the head/face requires 4x4” hoop)
Embroidery thread (hand or machine) or fabric markers for the face (other options will be discussed)
Sharp scissors
Hemostats or another tool for turning and stuffing
Long doll needle
Strong thread for closing seams and jointing the doll
(optional) Fabric Glue like Fabri-tac or fabric hot glue
4-5 small buttons for jointing the doll
Fabrics: stretchy or woven, new or upcycled
Fiberfill stuffing or the stuffing from an old pillow
Sewing machine users will need a Tear-away stabilizer or light interfacing
Embroidery machine users will need a stabilizer, both tear-away and cut-away are suggested

Who is this class for?

People who:

know how to sew or use an embroidery machine
have already made stuffed toys and want to level up
want to turn your original character into a 3-D art doll
want to learn techniques for making art dolls
Want to get more out of their embroidery machine
Enjoy the creative process
Love putting old things to new uses

Cassandra Benitez

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