Did you know

Stuffing your cloth doll with wool, cotton, or rags gives the doll anolder feel when it is picked up or handled. These dolls will feel quite different from those stuffed with polyester fiberfill.

2. Sanding your doll with the finest grade of sandpaper after stuffing her gives a worn look and feel.Be careful not to sand through the fabric (unless that is the effect you want).

3. For Aged Look (Recipe 2)These directions apply to 100% cotton fabrics. Here is the recipe I use: 1 ½ c. warm tap water (thats 1 and 1/2 cups) ½ c. instant coffee3-4 tbsp. Vanilla extract (takes the coffee away, some like the smell it gives to the dolls)bring to a almost boil . Add the fabric or doll pieces.Now let it steep for approximately 5 - 20 minutes, or until it is the desired darkness.
( preheat oven to 225 degrees. ) Line a large cookie sheet with paper towels or an old dishtowel.
When the fabric is desired color, (it will look darker when wet) gently squeeze out excess, jus t so it’s not dripping. Crumple loosely and lay on cookie sheet crumpled. Place in oven and watch closely. Check on it every 10 minutes or so. Every so often, recrumple the fabric and change directions. Dry until you have the desired streakiness. After dry, steam press with iron to remove excess wrinkles.( Put down an old towel to protect your ironing surface.)
I stitch all pieces and dye body before stuffing. Clothing I also stitch and then dye, so the stitching thread will also be dyed.