Doll Crafts: A Kid's Guide to Making Simple Dolls, Clothing, Accessories, and Houses

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.