HALF-DOLL or Whole-doll PINCUSHIONS -- TUTORIAL

Hello everyone.

How is the weather treating you. Lots of rain here

on my side of the world. Rain beats down the

pollens so we can feel a little better! Oh, how some of us

that are allergy prone love the rain!

Even now as I type this, my head is aching.

Okay, beyond that.

 

Half-doll pincushions are lovely. Some are old, very-old,

or new. All of them have beauty from their makers.

It is hard to resist looking at the vintage, antique pincushions

or the brand new ones that many crafters are making

from the half-dolls that are being sold.

My definition of a craft is about using what you already have.

Then, buy the things that are needed for that craft, if you do

not have it already.

 

I hope that you like the WHOLE-DOLL PINCUSHION that I

have made. My inspiration came from seeing the lovely half-doll

pincushions.

 I will be using this 7 inch high miniature doll.

Well, she is not a miniature doll that belongs in a dollhouse.

But she is small according to most tall dolls.

 

Actually, I do not know anything about this doll that I am using. Only

her height, (that I have measured). Also the stamp on her back. After

having sent photos of her to a dear friend, so that she could

show them to her dear friend. Well, long story short they could

not find anything about the doll either.

 

I looked up Astin and got Ashton Drake, but still I could not

attain any information on her. Her gown is lovely! I believe

that it is a thin satiny-type of a yellow-gold colored fabric.

I love the color yellow but this doll's fabric is not of my taste.

So I thought, that this doll is fair game to use her as a

Whole-doll Pincushion!

 

A TUTORIAL IS INCLUDED HERE!!!!

THE DIRECTIONS ARE SUPER SIMPLE!!!!!!

MAKE ONE OF THESE!!!

 

Here are my results

 

BEFORE PHOTO'S of what the doll did look

like. I only paid $1.00 for her.

She is a lovely doll. Am not sure what she is made of.

It could be porcelain. I saved her clothes

just in case later information does come up

about her. She will be easy to dis-attach from

the pincushion if need be.



 

The Stamp on her back.

 

I love the little mole that is close to her left eye. I

cannot imagine who she is supposed to resemble.

 

This sweet doll had satiny bloomers.

 

 

TUTORIAL TO MAKE HER!!!

 

SUPER-EASY!!!

 

Materials needed are:

1. A HALF-DOLL with legs or a WHOLE-DOLL with a

SOFT body. You can also use a plastic goggle-eyed doll

for this project.

 

2. Need paper, cardboard or cardstock to make a pattern.

(I used

cardstock) ------- NEED 4 sheets of whichever

you prefer.

 

3. Fabric or a baby dress. (I used a baby dress that

said 24s on the label. I have never seen a label like

that, so it could be foreign?? The dress was equivalent

to the size of a 9 month or a 1 year old. (I bought

this baby dress from the thrift store a year ago with

the intention of using the pretty netting and the

stitching for a different project. I am glad

that I did not use it for whatever that was.

Always wash and dry

the items that you get from consignments or

thrift stores.) I did not think to measure it - am

sorry for that. Wish I had of now for you.

 

4. Quilting thread and small Quilting needles. Quilting

thread is stronger than regular thread and you can

buy it in different colors. So, match up your colors

to your fabric or baby dress. Use the small Quilting

needle because they will help you to make smaller

stitches.

 

5. I used SOFT COTTON BATTING that I had lying around.

Most stores carry this. I think this one was from

Wal-mart. Cotton batting is smoother that fiberfill

and that is why I use it. I always have batting around

so it was no trouble for me.

You will use about a yard or less. I also use cotton balls

from medicine bottles and dryer lint. If you use the

cotton from medicine bottles, be sure to pull the

cotton apart and blend it in with the cotton batting.

On this project I did not have any dryer lint saved

to use. If you use all 3 of these be sure to mix them

all together before stuffing.

OR USE FIBERFILL, it is your choice. Use what you

have.

 

6. A small amount of lace for the bloomers.

 

7. Trim for the pincushion. I used a tiny bit

less than 1/2 yard. What I used was stretchy. It

comes in other colors. This trim is used for

headbands and is almost 2 inches in width.

You can use a smaller trim if you want. I

wanted to also add more stability and that is why

I used a wider trim. Also is it what I had on

hand. I think that most sewing stores carry this.

 

8. A large cooking pot about 12 inches in diameter.

(The pot needs to be big because once you start

gathering it, then the pincushion shrinks to the

size of the bottom). (If you need a bigger

pincushion then this, then you must use something

bigger in order to cut a large round piece of fabric).

 

9. Cork or any piece of cardboard about 4 inches

in diameter. (I used a piece of round cork that

was a COASTER for drinking glasses. It is near

the same size as I used)

 

10. FOR THE PINCUSHION: I used an extra large

old Rayon skirt that only had side seams, 

I washed and dried it of course since it has

been taking up space in my closet.

 

11. A little bow  or a rose flower that matches your dolls dress.

 

 

 

PLEASE READ ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS FIRST
BEFORE MAKING ONE - JUST SO YOU

UNDERSTAND ME. THANK YOU.

 

THE DIRECTIONS ARE EASY, SO DO NOT

BE PUT OFF BY SO MANY STEPS.

MAKING A PAPER PATTERN. Tape together 4 sheets

of computer paper, cardstock or cardboard with clear

tape. Be sure to tape the backside also.

 

MAKING THE PATTERN:

Place a large cooking pot on the paper and draw around

it for a pattern.

 

The size of my pot is about 12 inches in diameter.

 

Cut this out with paper scissors.

 

I am using my old Rayon skirt that I have not worn

in ages. It is perfect for this project. Many times, I

spent trying to get a decent photo and this is the best

that I was able to get. The sheen of the Rayon is

preventing me from getting any good photo's.

My skirt is CHOCOLATE BROWN - the color

of a Hershey bar! I cut off the waistband and I now

have a large mound of fabric.

 

Pin the pattern on the fabric or in my case -

my skirt. MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT

PINNING A SEAM, IF SO THEN MOVE THE

SKIRT AROUND TILL YOU ARE ABLE TO

GET 2 PIECES WITH NO SEAMS. IF THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE

TO DO WITH YOUR SKIRT, THEN CUT ONE OUT AT A TIME.

CUT 2 PIECES!!!!

 

Here, I show 2 pieces that I was able to cut out at

the same time because my skirt only had side seams.

 

This is here just to show you about the size that

I used for the bottom to be placed inside one of the

pincushions.

 

This CORK COASTER is close to the size of the

cardboard above that I have measured for you.

Adding cardboard or a cork coaster to each

pincushion gives each pincushion better stability.

 

For the 1st pincushion: I cut a piece of batting and

placed in under the cardboard. You do not have to

do this if you do not want to. I did this so that when

I connected the 2 pincushions together, there was

some cushioning space between them.

NOW, On the outside edge of the round fabric -

turn in the outer edge towards the cardboard and run a

gathering stitch all the way around, gathering as

you go. I used big stitches here!

 

With my fingers I tore the cotton batting apart into

small pieces as you see here. Some are not so small.

ALWAYS STUFF A PINCUSHION FIRMLY

UNTIL YOU CANNOT GET ANY MORE STUFFING

IN IT.

PACK IT DOWN REALLY GOOD!!! AND
ADD MORE IF NEEDED.

 

I tightly brought up the gathers - MAKE SURE
THAT YOU DO NOT SEE ANY OF THE BATTING
OR THE FIBERFILL. Cause you do not want any

of it to come out later.

This is a good time to get someone to hold the

pincushion while you draw up the gathering thread.

Criss-cross back and forth to close the opening

if you must and be sure to make lots of knots.

 

This is what the bottom looks like. Now, turn it

over to the front and with your hands start shaping

the pincushion to where the batting or fiberfill

is on top of the (inside cardboard). Shape the

pincushion UP, if you understand me, so that

it is not a fat pincushion on the sides but make it

taller. There is

no other way for me to explain it.

MAKE 2 OF THESE PINCUSHIONS THE EXACT

SAME WAY BEFORE PROCEEDING ANY

FURTHER!!!!!!

 

I AM SORRY THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY

PHOTOS THAT I HAVE OF PUTTING THE
PINCUSHIONS TOGETHER. I FORGOT TO

TAKE THE PICS, SO I AM SHOWING YOU

FROM UNDERNEATH HER DRESS.

Now that both Pincushions are made - it is time

to sew them together. Place one pincushion on top

of the other one and hand sew them together. STITCH

the fabric a little above (the inside cardboard pieces)

when stitching together.

 

Be sure to shape the pincushions again when you have

finished stitching them together. The white dots

you see here is from where my needle went in and out

of the fabric brining a sampling of the batting. It

is so tiny that you only see it really good with the

picture. When you see this, either push it back in

with your needle or do not. No biggy.

 

With this elastic headband, (DO NOT STRETCH IT

AS YOU SEW IT DOWN!!!!) I started at the back of

the pincushion and sewed through the top loops all

around the pincushion back to where I started at. Then I

anchored the trim by knotting

the thread and I pushed the knot to where you could

not see it. Then without cutting the thread, I sewed

down its seam to the bottom where the loops are.

You must sew the top and the bottom loops down

if you choose to use this trim. I sewed all around

the pincushion back to where I started. I made some

knots in the thread, cut it and stuffed the knots

under the trim. You cannot see the knots.

However, you sew the trim down as you wish for

your type of trim being used.

Hand sewing the trim down only takes a few minutes!

 

Here is the back of the trim sewn down on the back

of the pincushion.

 

On the front of the pincushion try to keep the trim

straight as you sew it down. Again, this elastic

headband was not stretched as I sewed it in place.

However sewing a wide strip of trim also adds

stability to the base. And stability is needed.

 

Here is my pretty doll naked! What I did here

was to, shape her legs. I took her right leg and

bent it some to give the curve, so I could bring

up her knee. Cross her leg over the over

leg JUST A LITTLE BIT, NOT ALOT. Then

I tied some string around the legs to keep them

in place. You do not have to do this step. It is

up to you. It helped me in that I did not

have to keep reshaping her leg.

 

This is the baby dress. I loved the netting that covered

the entire dress. Loved the stitched flowers with green

leaves. I loved how the netting was over white cotton.

The bottom had some pink stitching that was

broke, but to me that adds charm. It did not bother

me.

Pay particular attention if you buy a baby dress. YOU

DO WANT THE SLEEVES TO BE SHAPED

LIKE THE SLEEVES IN THIS DRESS!!!!

 

I cut both sleeves off, just like this. Only one

sleeve was used. The other sleeve I will

make a slip and bodice for my miniature

dollhouse.

 

I have taken that same sleeve above and turned

it sideways for you. The doll's bodice is the

right of this sleeve, while the slip is the left side

of the sleeve. I cut this piece almost in half -

ALLOWING MORE FOR THE SLIP SO IT
COULD BE GATHERED. But do make sure

that you have enough for the bodice of the doll.

Just measure it up to the doll. CHECK MANY
TIMES BEFORE CUTTING THIS PIECE!

 

Now you see the bodice part opened up. Make sure

that it can stretch around the doll. If so, place this aside

for the time being.

 

We will start with her petticoat! Run a gathering

stitch a little away from the edge and gather it up.

Place the petticoat on the doll.

 

You will be the judge here on how far up

you want the white fabric to go. It does not

have to go up all that far. Check my first photos

of the doll to get an idea. When you like it, then

gather up the stitches and knot the thread on the

back of the doll. Without cutting the thread, also sew

some stitches into the doll thru the petticoat to anchor

it better. Stay close to the gathering threads when

doing this. Knot in the back and cut it off.

 

A closer look for you.

 

I removed the threads that held the

legs together. Now is the time to add

some lace around each leg. Wrap the

lace around a leg and double the

measurement. Cut the lace and gather it

tightly at the top. You can add a few

stitches to anchor the lace down to

each leg. Make sure seams are in the back of each leg.

However I did not do this.

What I did was gather tightly each piece

of pink lace and stitch it closed. Then I

merely slipped it on each leg. The tightness

of the gathers is what holds it onto the doll. 

 

Now, back to the bodice.

 

Put wrong sides together as the picture shows here.

With sides even stitch it closed. Trim away some of the

white cotton on the bottom of the bodice so it only

leaves about a half inch.

 

Turn right side out. See how much of the white

cotton that I left on. Next, starting at the back here,

run a gathering stitch around the bodice, where

you see the stitches at in this photo. (where the netting

and the top of the white cotton meet). See these stitches,

sew the gathering stitches there. This is the back

of the bodice in this photo.

 

Place the bodice on the doll and make sure that

the front is on the front of the doll. Next, eye ball

the side of the bodice in relation to where

the arm-holes should go. All I did here was cut

a small gash in the netting to allow the arm

to go through. Once I pulled up the bodice like

it should be, I then pulled the gathering threads

at the back of the doll, knotted it and cut away

excess thread.

Next, I placed the doll on top of the pincushion

so as to sew her down.

 

This is how the doll looks now.

 

I stitched the dolls butt down onto the

pincushion. I sewed the dolls sides down

on the pincushion but I only sewed the sides

down to where the slip started. I wanted

the slip to be free moving. However do

stitch the doll down TIGHTLY. SO SHE
DOES NOT MOVE.

 

This side is stitched down. Then I positioned the

doll so that her back is straight up so that she

does not lean back.

 

As you see her, she is not leaning. She is

straight up as she should be.

 

For the dress. If you notice on my baby dress,

where the pink bow is, stitching goes straight

across from side to side. I guess this was to

keep the netting and the fabric together. For me

I just cut across on that stitching line. For you, measure

your fabric or baby dress up to the doll sitting on

the pincushions. You will probably need at least

6 inches in length. But before cutting add at least

1 or 1.5 inches  to allow for the gathering.

Make sure that you have a good amount for the

width because this will be gathered. Here you see

the side seams of the baby dress. I left it stitched

together. You will have to judge this part because

some people like a lot of gathers and some do not.

 

I gathered about 1/2 inch away from the cut edge.

 

Place the skirt on the doll.

 

This is a close up for you.

 

There was some stitching on the dress. So I turned

my dolls dress to the side as you see here in this

photo. Then I pulled tightly to gather the dress

on the doll. Knot it and cut away excess thread.

 

Since the doll has a petticoat, you want to see

it. With a threaded needle, start at the bottom

and stitch up the gown include both layers if you

have them. My stitches are not too big nor are

they too small.

 

Stitch close to the gathered edge near the bodice.

 

When the gathers look right, knot the thread close

to the fabric and hide the knot in the fabric before

cutting off any excess thread.

 

Now, place a bow or a rose flower at this area. See

how you like it. You might want something else

here.

 

If you pick a bow or a rose flower like me, now is

the time to see it down or glue it. Either is okay.

 

With that done. Remember the gathered piece

at the bottom of the bodice. With your finger

or a needle, gently tug it out from under the

gathered skirt.

 

Go all the way around the doll.

 

If you like you can add a ribbon here or you can

add matching lace, if you do not like the gathers

or if you see them way to much. If you decide

to add lace or ribbon sew it to the bottom of the

gathered bodice so that it will hide the gathers

for you.

 

I cut ( 2) strips of netting the same size.

1 inch wide x 4 inches long. Look my one strip

is not even cut good. It does not matter, the bad

strip is going to be a bow so you will not see

any unevenness there.

 

Since I used netting, remember it stretches. So, I

stretched it around her head and then tied it into

a bow. Open up the bows and cut the tails or leave

them long. Its up to you!

 

The other strip is her shawl. Just fold the ends in

towards the center and wrap it around the doll.

The shawl is not sewed on. This dolls arms move,

so keeping her arms down, keeps the shawl on.

 

This completes the making of the doll. She has

turned out so pretty that I have decided that I

cannot use her as a pincushion.

 

Using many pins on Rayon fabrics will eventually prick

the fabric causing it to look bad over time.

Using satins will leave hole marks.

 

So, I will get a few corsage pins and just stick

in her, and leave them there permanently.

 

I hope that you will try this! It was fun.

However I did not make her in a day. I took my

time working on her over a period of 2 weeks.

And before that, it took me a whole month to

just decide what the pincushion would look like

or how fancy she would be. I always find this

to be the hardest part of any of my projects.

 

I hope to make more of these, in different styles

of course. I think that it is about time to buy

me some half-dolls!!

 

Stay well my friends!

Conny