15
Match the legs in pairs, right
sides together, and machine
stitch around them, leaving the
openings as marked on the pattern.
Clip the seam allowance at the
curves and inside corner, then turn
the legs right side out and use a
chopstick or similar tool to push
the seams out gently.16
Stuff each leg firmly with fibre
fill, turn the raw edges inwards
and whipstitch them closed. Ladder
stitch the legs to the bottom of the
body as marked on the pattern.17
Repeat Step 15 for the arms.
Stuff them firmly with fibre
fill, turn the raw edges inwards and
ladder stitch the openings closed.18
Thread a long doll needle with
a length of cream crochet
thread and make a large knot in
the end. Pin the arms to the front
of the body in the positions indicated
on the pattern.19
Referring to Diagram 1, insert
the needle into the body
underneath one of the arms, come
out at the other side of the body and
go through the other arm. Insert the
needle back into that arm about^11 ⁄ 4 in
from the exit point, go through the
arm, body and other arm. Repeat thisprocess several times back and
forward through the arms and body
until the arms are well secured.
Fasten off the thread under one arm.20
Match the ears in pairs, right
sides together, and pin. Machine
stitch around the curved edges, leaving
the bottom edge open. Clip the curves
and turn them right side out.21
Stuff the ears firmly with
fibre fill and whipstitch the
openings closed. Stitch the ears
firmly to the head where marked
on the pattern. Fiona positioned
Albert’s ears so they curve outwards
and Eloise’s ears so they curve
inwards.Dress
22
Fold the 2^1 ⁄ 2 x6^1 ⁄ 2 in blue check
strips in half, wrong sides
together and long edges matching,
and press.23
With raw edges level and right
sides together, pin a strip to
the bottom edge of one dress shape.
Machine stitch it in place and press
the seam towards the check fabric.
Repeat this step with the other strip
and dress shape.24
Turn under and press^1 ⁄ 4 in on
the longer straight edge of the
sleeves. Turn under another^1 ⁄ 4 in and
press to make double-fold hems.
Machine stitch them in place^1 ⁄ 8 in
from the folds.25
With right sides together,
match the curved edge of one
sleeve with the armhole curve of a
dress shape. Machine stitch along
the curved seam.26
Lay the armhole curve of the
second dress shape, right sides
together, on the other curved edge
of the same sleeve and stitch them
together. You should now have one
sleeve between two dress shapes.
Repeat to sew the second sleeve to
the other sides of the dress shapes.27
Fold the sleeves in half so the
sides of the dress shapes and
underarm seams are aligned, right
sides together. Sew the side and
underarm seam in one go. Repeat
for the other side.28
Turn under and press a^1 ⁄ 4 in
double-fold hem around the
neck edge (top edges of dress and
sleeves). Starting near the centre
back, machine stitch as close to the
folded edge as possible (so that you
have room to thread elastic through
the neckline casing) and stop about(^1) ⁄ 2 -1in before you reach the start.
29
Using a large-eyed needle
or narrow bodkin, thread the
hat elastic through the neckline
casing, leaving long ends of elastic
hanging out.
30
Fit the dress on Eloise, then
pull the ends of the elastic so
the neckline of the dress/sleeves
gathers up. Knot the ends of the
elastic together a few times and trim
the excess. Slip stitch the rest of the
casing closed.
Overalls
31
Match two overalls front
shapes (with shorter straps),
right sides together, and pin, then
stitch, the centre front seam. Press
Diagram 1 Eloise’s dress
0202
PROJECT
44 Homespun