Doll Crafts

September 15, 2017
A guidebook to making simple dolls and accessories sounds like a fine idea, as long as the supplies are readily available and the crafts are reasonably achievable.This effort excels at offering crafts that require inexpensive supplies that many young crafters might have access to, including old T-shirts, bits and pieces of felt, inexpensive paints, buttons, needles, and thread. The skills required to create the various dolls, small stuffed animals, doll clothing, and houses vary widely. Some of the crafts involve little more than wrapping yarn around pipe cleaners and adding a bead head. Other crafts, such as a simple-appearing stuffed "puppy dog"; a button-up coat; a painted cloth doll that must be stitched, turned right side out, and stuffed; and doll shoes with craft-foam soles and stitched-on felt tops, involve a considerable amount of careful sewing. Lists of supplies for each project are included, and patterns and directions are clear, but few of the projects state the skill level needed. Some do include the caveat "Adult supervision needed." The variety is wide, including a voodoo doll, a zombie, a pocket gnome, and gingerbread cookies. Sidebars offer additional information on the history of dolls and their places in some cultures. While enjoyable to browse, these doll instructions are most likely to thwart all but the most determined of crafters. (Nonfiction. 9-13)

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October 1, 2017

Gr 3 Up-Carlson presents an easy-to-follow introductory manual on crafting a variety of simple handmade dolls. She begins with "A Doll Maker's Toolbox" of basic necessities: scissors, a variety of sewing threads and material, sketchbook, pencils, beads and other notions, and four basic sewing stitches. Types of dolls are arranged from simplest (a paper doll chain, a "Paper Doll and Wardrobe") to most sophisticated ("Fabulous 18-inch Felt Doll and Outfit"), and each includes full-size traceable patterns for doll and clothing, along with brief but descriptive instructions for assembling and stuffing the pieces. Folk dolls; a pocket gnome made from part of a stuffed sock and some felt; a voodoo doll created with fabric and yarn scraps; and a doll made from corn husks and yarn/string provide pocket-sized play fellows. Sidebars describe a variety of dolls through time: automatons, Mexican radish dolls, and plastic action figures. Patterns for clothing and accessories, a mermaid costume, a "Recycled and Renewed" plastic doll, and a doll cake (the last two requiring adult supervision) are more challenging. Appealing illustrations in black and shades of gray show projects in stages of progress and completion. VERDICT Crafty kids who want to sew can learn to create simple dolls and other figures that will make play more fun. A good choice for maker and craft shelves.-Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 2, 2017
Carlson provides a straightforward introduction to creating dolls—from cloth, paper, gingerbread, spoons, corn husks, and more—and accessories. A “Doll Maker’s Toolbox” lists essential materials (scissors, sewing needles, pins, thread, buttons, etc.), followed by a tutorial on hand stitches and tips regarding facial features, stuffing, and hair. The minimally detailed illustrations don’t bring much visual interest to the pages, but the clear instructions (and bits of cultural backstory and doll lore) offer many opportunities for readers to get creative with their own doll making. Ages 7–up.