My Handmade Dolls

I wanted to shift gears today and talk a little about one of my favorite hobbies: sewing! Specifically, I love to handsew dolls.

I’ve been handsewing for nearly six years now. I’ve always had a love of dolls. I decided shortly after my son was born that I needed a hobby that kept me busy but still alert so I could keep an eye on my precocious, adventurous child. I had been making jewelry for a number of years, but with my son deciding that anything that could fit in his mouth was okay to eat, I had to put the beads and jewelry-making supplies away and figure something else out.

Dolls were a large part of my childhood, especially before I could read and write. Even as a young child I was inventing stories and characters using dolls as my actors. Each doll had his or her own personality and backstory. My favorite storyline that I used to play out was when my fashion dolls were in a war against my stuffed animals. My games were complex and full of drama even then.

I still like to collect dolls of all kinds. I love the Monster High dolls in particular, but I also enjoy Pokemon dolls and weighted stuffed animals.

My dolls have had an impact on my TTRPG career as well. I started making monster girl dolls a few years ago and they have been my most popular dolls to sell in my Etsy shop. I make Witches, Cyclops, Demons, Orcs, Banshees, Vampires, Aliens, and Zombies, all of which have been featured in my Monster Heroes and Brightnight Academy games.

Dollmaking is a relaxing hobby. I enjoy making them by hand; I don’t think I’d find the same kind of joy making them by sewing machine, but I plan to try someday. My dolls are made out of wool-blend felt with yarn hair and are completely hand-sewn.

I don’t just make monster girls; I’ve also made boy dolls, pirate dolls, bats, button-eyed dolls, mermaids, and some other creatures. 

I love collecting patterned felt and I like to give each doll I sew a unique, patterned outfit that describes their personality.

Some of my favorite doll artists are Gingermelon, DelilahIris, and Spyderthread.

You can find my handsewn dolls at https://luparisdolls.etsy.com