If you're new to doll making the instructions may seem confusing and lengthy. However, if you take it step by step, you'll find that one process leads to another making it all quite easy.

Before attempting to make a doll consider your sewing experience and choose a pattern that is appropriate for your skill level. If you pick a design that is too advanced you will more than likely become frustrated and lose interest in completing your project.

Read the instructions carefully so that you understand how the doll is constructed. Review the supply list so that you know what is needed.  You're then ready for the best part... selecting your supplies for your cloth doll.

Choose a good quality 100% cotton fabric for the body of the doll. A 230 thread count per square inch will make for a sturdy cloth doll. You'll also need stuffing that is easy to handle and gives you good results. Fairfield is one of the best brands on the market. Don't bother or waste your time with a poor quality stuffing that you find on sale, you'll only end up with a lumpy doll. A STUFFING FORK is a wonderful little tool that you may want to purchase if you don't already have one. It's really neat for stuffing narrow tube-like areas such as arms and legs and will greatly help eliminate any lumpy appearance.

Most doll makers agree that the hardest part of the doll making process is the doll's face. It can make or break your doll. You'll need to put together a doll face kit.You can begin by purchasing a mechanical pencil for sketching facial features. You'll also want to purchase some fine tip pens, colored pencils, powdered blush, different shades of eyeshadow, crayons, tints, paints and dyes. As you become more proficient in your face making skills, you'll find other products that you'll want to add to your kit as well. I recommend applying the doll's facial features only after the head is stuffed. Refer to your doll pattern for proper placement. Working on the unstuffed  face is easier because you can lay it down on a flat surface, but features can become distorted once the head is stuffed. Practice first on a piece of  scrap fabric before working on the doll's actual head. Get comfortable with your media. You may even want to make a few extra heads just in case your first few attempts aren't quite what you wanted.

As for your doll's clothing, you'll find an unlimited selection of fabrics available from our wonderful eBay vendors. Stay with 100% cotton. It lends itself perfectly to doll making. It can also be dyed, tinted or stained. Once you've become comfortable sewing with cotton, you may then want to try working with other fabric blends. Make templates of all pattern pieces and when laying them out always place them on the straight grain of the fabric. Use smooth cutting strokes. Be sure to back tack at the ends of seams. Doll clothing seams are usually only 1/4". To prevent fraying you may want to purchase a product called FRAYCHECK.  It's a "must have" for most doll makers.When browsing eBay, be on the look-out for items you can incorporate into your doll costuming. Tiny buttons, laces and ribbons, swatches of leather for doll shoes, beads, crystals, sequins etc.When dressing your doll, S-T-R-E-T-C-H your imagination and remember, you can do no wrong.

Every woman's crowning glory is her hair and the same is true for a cloth doll. If using yarn, 1-2 ozs. should be enough for an average doll depending upon the hair style you've chosen. There are so many variations of yarns on the market today, you'll have a hard time deciding which to use. Gluing is the simplest way to apply doll hair. I prefer stitching the hair to the head for obvious reasons. You may want to try MOHAIR. It is very realistic and comes in a fabulous array of colors. Get creative with your doll's hair. Why not try Christmas tree tinsel, torn strips of fabric, raffia, silk flower petals or leaves? The sky's the limit!

Doll making can be fun as well as profitable. If you're looking for a way to make a few dollars more try selling your best efforts on eBay. Just be sure that you mention the original designer's name and give credit where it is due. Some designers limit the number of dolls that can be produced from their patterns. Be sure you check the details before proceeding. You may be quite surprised at how much a customer is willing to pay for a well-made cloth doll. Craft shows are another way to display your creations and make some additional income. I've personally spent many pleasant weekends displaying my dolls at these shows and have made extra spending money. Most of the time, I'd turn right around and invest it in more patterns and fabric.

I do hope you've found this guide helpful. Be aware that doll making and pattern collecting can become quite addictive so above all else, make your cloth doll experience an enjoyable one.