How to Make Soft Toys and Dolls

A Sunset Book

1977

Today is my oldest daughter’s birthday. This past week, when I was thinking of what to give to her for a birthday present, I remembered some of her past gifts.  Laura’s first birthday gift was a beautiful set of homemade blocks in a wagon made by her Dad.  Another year we gave her a high quality child-sized gardening tool set.  It was nice enough that year to head right outside to try it out.  That set lasted many years.  Of course, there was the year of Big Bunny – that very special stuffed white rabbit that got brushed and combed carefully every night before bed.  He still looks as good as new.  

Glancing through my bookshelves reminded me of another homemade gift – one that I actually made.

The pattern for this gift came from the book How to Make Soft Toys and Dolls.  Louis Looselimbs is its name in the book, but we just called it Dancing Doll.  As you can see in the photo, it was just about Laura’s size, and she enjoyed many spins around the room with Dancing Doll attached to her feet.  

I was never one for sewing much, so this gift did take some time to figure out.  In fact, most items I tried to sew never came out how they were supposed to.  I remember feeling pleasantly surprised when this project actually looked like the photo and worked like it was supposed to!  

These days, Dancing Doll sits quietly among the old stuffed animals and beanie babies as a pleasant reminder of years past and a testament to how quickly children grow up.