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Daisy Doll Tips and Tricks

By Toni Olsen 

I have made over Thirty (30) Daisy Dolls and numerous articles of clothing.  This is what I personally find works best for me.  I like the weight and stability this process creates.

1.  I hoop Medium weight stabilizer (I DO NOT use Water Soluble Stabiliser)
2. I use Iron on stabilizer on all my main fabric pieces
3. I DO NOT use batting---I substitute another piece of HEAVY TEAR AWAY
4. I use BLACK OUT LINING on all my lining pieces. (It has a great weight and trims easily)

When I start my embroidery project my Hoop is stacked as follows top to bottom

1. Main Fabric with iron on stabilizer
2. Medium weight tear away stabilizer **HOOPED**
3. Heavy weight stabilizer
4. Black out lining

***NOTE:  I use quilting spray and/or pins to hold all for fabrics in place.

Construct/embroider Daisy as per instructions for each item you are creating.

Once my DOLL is completed

    Machine stitch a strip of Vecro HOOP (scratchy side) onto her stomach

  I also keep the skin fabric for the entire doll.  You can create the Bathing Suit as a separate piece of clothing by simply stitching it ALONE (Skip the Arm stitch out).

     Hot glue a strip of Velcro LOOP (Soft Side) on the BACK SIDE of each article of clothing.   I use a fabric hot glue for his.  To make sure it lines up properly, I put the Velcro together, add the fabric glue, and then put the clothing where it should be on the doll and press.  Immediately remove the clothing and Velcro LOOP

      Hot glue a strip of Plastic Canvas to the back from her nose to her belly button area.   This will give added stability to her head and neck as the little one play with her.

STRENGTHENING TIPS

Jenny Durey strengthens her Daisy as follows: "I put a strip of template plastic onto the back of her neck, and then back the whole doll with iron on peltex (used for bag making).  I then zig zag around the entire edge of the Doll."

Denise Wood suggest using the stuff they make blinds out of in New Zealand (Holland Blinds) - its easy to sew thru, and can be added with the backing.

Karen Edmondson uses batting on the front AND BACK to give added strength

Susan Keifer uses vinyl as a backing for her dolls, together with felt as her fabric on both doll and dresses

Christine shares how she has strengthed her Daisy

My Dress up Daisy dolls. I made them to be able to stand up -like the old-fashioned paper dolls! Used very thin pieces of particle board and made the stands. Put a piece of fabric on the back of the doll to slide the stand into. Made the heads firmer by stitching a sleeve and putting plastic boning inside. the clothes all hang on with velcro dots glued on about the bust-line of the dolls.The hats/tiaras I glued thin hat elastic in the back and this just slides on. You can see the back of the beanie on the back view of the dolls. Loved doing all this, hope my great-granddaughters enjoy playing with them!

ATTACHING TIPS

Most Ladies either leave Daisy plain, or attach velcro strips or dots as per Toni's instructions.   

Karen Edmonson has a neat idea using magnets

ADDITIONAL IDEAS FOR DAISY Our Amazing Darina creates scenes with blue and green felt, which she then attaches to a craft board - Light enough to carry easily Darina has also whipped up a carry bag for her Daisy's Hester also created a carry case Nancy not only created a carry case, but also a pocket for her hats