Spring is here! Brought to you by none other than - Mother Nature! And we are bringing her to you! This Mother Nature Doll depicts her as a fresh, younger than springtime figure. She stand just about 12 inches high and is decked out in the latest spring fashions! The pattern offers easy construction and endless possibilities for embellishment. So let Mother Nature take her course right into your sewing rooms! She is sure to put a spring in your step!

Materials Needed:

• 1/4 yard Muslin*
• Two pieces of chiffon 12" by 22"
• Polyester Fiberfill*
• Doll Hair*
• Silk Flowers for embellishment
• Pattern (click on each page below to view, print, and/or save)
• Large Graphics
• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 3
• Page 4
• Small Graphics (50% reduced)
• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 3
• Page 4
• Note: The pattern has been scanned so that the LARGE GRAPHIC size should print close to the right size on the "average" computer system. If the images come out too big or small you can reduce or enlarge the image on a coping machine. For reference the head is about 4 1/2 inches from top to bottom and the body back is 11.5 inches if you measure through the middle. We have also included copies of the pattern 50% smaller under the heading SMALL GRAPHICS. These you would need to enlarge with a photo copier. If you have any problems printing please contact the Webmaster.

Directions:

The simplest way to sew these kind of parts is to mark the pattern directly on the fabric and sew before cutting. Be sure to leave open the area indicated so you will be able to turn the piece and stuff it. To close you will simply hand stitch. Use a small stitch setting on your machine. Trace two arms on a piece of muslin that is two layers thick. Sew around outline and then cut out, trimming to about 1/8 inch seam allowance. To turn the thumb you might chose to first put a dab of Fray Check on the tip of the thumb and let it dry. This will allow you to trim the fabric very close to the stitch line without having it fray or tear. Once arms are turned, begin stuffing with small amounts of fiberfill. Stuff the thumb and then, using a enough stuffing to give the hand a flat mitten look, stitch the fingers in place following the finger stitch lines. Continue to stuff the arm, using small bits of fill at a time and packing firmly as you go. Once the limb is firmly stuffed, sew the opening shut by hand.

Begin by tracing the pattern directly on your fabric. You will need to cut out the patterns giving yourself a 1/4inch seam allowance. It is very important that you be as accurate as you can to maintain the shape of the body. Sew the front seam of the body front together. Do the same for the back pattern, being careful to remember to leave the opening for stuffing. Once you have the front and back panel sewn, press open the seam. This will not only give the doll a smoother finish, it will make it easier to hand stitch the back closed.

With right sides together, match and pin the front and back together. Sew around the entire doll, leaving the neck open. Once the body is firmly stuffed, hand sew the back opening closed.

Trace the head pattern on the fabric and sew. Even this piece is easier to sew before it is cut from the material. Once the head is cut and trimmed, hand sew a running stitch around the top of the head. This is will be gathered to close the head after it is stuffed. It's easier to sew it before it is stuffed, so leave the needle and thread in tact.

Stuff the head firmly. Pull the running stitch to close head and secure it with a few extra stitches and a good strong knot.

The face can be drawn on the doll either before or after it is sewn and stuffed. Whenever you do it, be sure that the eyes are about at the halfway point of the face. I did the face after the head was sewn and stuffed. Her eyes and mouth were done with pigma pens. Her blush was applied with a sponge and regular blush. The nose was done with a peach colored pencil and shaded and highlighted using eye shadow and dry foundation make-up. This works much like pastels but is more forgiving and always available in the right shades!

To make Mother Nature's arms pose-able you will need a long needle and really strong thread. I used a "doll sculpting needle" which is about 4 inches long. The thread I used is called "carpet thread."

Lightly mark the Attachment points on the arms. Securely knot a double strand of thread that is about 18 inches long. You want to make this long enough so that you don't run out of thread before you are done lacing it through the body twice.

Beginning with the inside of the arm, sew through and then back out the arm. Now you are going to sew through the body to the other "arm pit." Continue through the second arm. You should now be on the outside of the second arm, kind of where she would have a vaccination or where the other mark is. Run the needle back through the arm and through the body all the way threw the first arm. Make sure that the arms are positioned in the "socket " and pull the thread tight. Knot and secure. Don't be afraid to pull tight. If you have really tough thread like carpet thread your won't have any problems with breakage. You should now have moveable arms!

If you choose to, you may simply pose the arms where you want them and sew in place.

I wanted her hands to be more expressive so I bent them slightly at the wrists and simply sewed a few stitches to secure them in the position I wanted.

Fold the raw edges of neck in. Using your finger, "drill" a hole in the stuffing in the neck opening and stick the neck in. Position the face in relation to the body and stitch the neck to the body.

The dress is made with two pieces of chiffon, each 12 by 22 inches. One piece forms the dress part and the other piece forms the "bodice."

Drape a piece of chiffon over her shoulder, toga style. Take the second piece of chiffon and gather or bunch it slightly so it will act like a "rope." Tie a knot in the center, like you would a scarf. Drape it over the shoulder positioning the knot in front. Wrap the two ends of the chiffon around the doll and simply tuck in the ends, creating the bodice. Arrange the dress part of the toga so the bent leg is exposed through the side slit.

This costume is so easy to do and there is virtually no sewing unless you want to do a rolled hem on the edge of the chiffon. The chiffon falls beautifully and you can gather and tuck these two simple pieces of fabric to create a beautiful costume.

The Hair The hair can be either sewn or glued on. Silk flowers are easy to work with and can give Mother Nature a coif she deserves!

This Mother Nature is, in all modesty, wearing a silk fig leaf under her dress!

I hope you enjoy making this doll. My best wishes for a lovely Spring!

Diane Lewis

The following items needed for Mother Nature can be found online at Sisters and Daughters, Inc

Muslin - Springmaid Range Finder Muslin
Doll Hair - Dizzy Frizzy Curly
Mohair - Honey
Stuffing - Airtex
Pigma Pens - Micro Pigma Pens - Black, Red, Blue

If you have any questions please contact me at: Diane@SistersAndDaughters.com

Diane is also a member of the Friends of Cloth Dolls mailing list. If you want to find out more information on the group please check out their website at http://TheDollNet.com/friends/

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