Leaving Doll Pin

By: Danielle Kellogg-Howard

The Original doll was found by a friend who shared this wonderful unusual rag doll with me. She was
told by the antique dealer the following information: Even when money and fabric were scarce
friends, sisters, and mothers managed to find enough leavings (scrapes) to make this doll for
someone dear. They were held together with bits of ribbon and love. Exchanged at parting one
another by woman and girls to those they held dear. They were to be a reminder that no matter
how far or how long they may be in each others prayers. The original doll had a name and date of
1825 sewn onto the underside of the dolls body.
MATERIALS:
3 by 4 inch Calico Fabric
7/8 by 3 inch Unbleached muslin
1/16 inch Ribbon
inch pin back
Starch
Hot Glue
Sewing Thread

EQUIPMENT:
Scissors
Ruler
Iron
Ironing Board
Paper and pen
Glue Gun
Sewing needle

STEPS:
1. Measure and Cut 3 x 4 piece calico and 7/8 x 3 piece of muslin. Cut 1 piece of carpet
thread 6 to 8 long.
Also cut a 6 to 8 piece of 1/8 ribbon what will match the calico. The size does not have to
be exact.

2. Fold the muslin into thirds lengthwise. Make sure the edge of the fabric does not show over
the fold of the fabric. (This is the Calico, but the muslin is harder to see.)

3. Iron the muslin using the starch for firm creases. Fold about an inch of the fabric backwards
and iron that fold with starch.

4. Either draw or sew the eyes, eyebrows and mouth onto the muslin at the folded end of the
fabric. Set aside.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the calico.
6. Place muslin face about below the folded edge of the calico.

7. Pleat the calico over the muslin below the face and tie with the carpet thread. Trim off the
excess thread. Make sure the face is above pleat so it can be clearly seen.

8. Tie a bow over the carpet thread with the 1/16 ribbon. Trim the excess ribbon.

9. Either sew or hot glue the pin back to the back of the doll. (I did not have the 1/16 ribbon, so I
used 100% mercerized cotton yarn.)

I got these instructions from Toni Soetaert of Independence, Missouri. I added the pictures to
make the picture tutorial for people like myself who need to see the steps to understand.
Danielle Kellogg