Kōwhai - Classic Cloth Doll 15"
Digital Pattern
Kōwhai - Classic Cloth Doll 15"
Digital Pattern
Meet Kōwhai, a truly magical doll, looking to share adventures with a special child.
Kōwhai is a natural cloth doll who stands approximately 15" tall, with moveable limbs. Kowhai's hair is a simple ponytail at the back of the head.
Classic Cloth Dolls are named after our beloved native New Zealand trees, all of which grow in the surrounds of the T+T studio.
Clothing is sold separately.
There is also a bundle of all 5 Classic Cloth Dolls here for the best value.
You will receive a clear, detailed tutorial including step-by-step photos. No previous dollmaking, crochet or embroidery experience required!
Skill Level: Classic Cloth Dolls are suitable for someone who has used a sewing machine before and can accurately sew around tight corners. Embroidery experience is not required and is fully explained.
Classic Cloth Dolls are not a whip-it-up-in-an-evening project, rather there are lots of elements which can be done in a spare fifteen minutes here and there - so they do come together nicely.
Make old things new again! Twig & Tale patterns pair wonderfully with upcycled fabrics. Classic Cloth Dolls and their clothing uses very little fabric so look to gorgeous vintage garments and trims and precious fabric scraps for inspiration.
Supplies
50-75g ball for hair
We used patons mohair shade 7560 (Acrylic yarn will go fuzzy so is not recommended)
Choose a color similar to hair for attaching hair to head
Choose a color similar to the skin for attaching limbs to body
I like to use clean, carded wool, but you could use other forms of stuffing
You can choose whichever colors you have on hand, however, we used:
Iris-DMC 938
Lid & Lashes-DMC 301 or DMC 844
Eye highlight -DMC White
Nose-DMC 225
Lips-DMC 223
Eyebrows - choose a similar
color to hair
24” of 44” wide fabric (60cm of 115cm wide fabric) and a spool of co-ordinating thread. This will be enough for two dolls but you will need this amount in order to make one. You can use any skin coloured broadcloth, calico, linen or other tightly woven plain cotton material for the body
- Water erasable marker
- Doll needles - approx 3 ½ inch (9 cm) and 7 inch (18 cm)
- Small scraps of fusible interfacing to strengthen where the limbs are jointed.
- Cardboard or board measuring approx
- 17 x 11 ½ inches (45 x 30 cm). This is used for wrapping yarn around to make hair - it needs to be quite firm so it won’t bend
- Optional: Haemostats - for turning little things out and placing little bits of stuffing.
- Optional: 4 plastic safety joints, depending on the jointing method you choose to use.
Printing Info
This is a print-at-home PDF pattern and includes two printing options:
- US Letter/A4 - tiled and designed to print on your home printer
- Projector - specially-formatted and optimized for home projector use. Read more about using our projector files here
All pattern printing formats include “layers”, allowing you to print only the size(s) you need, or all of the sizes.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between the 5 Classic Cloth Dolls?
A: The 5 dolls have identical bodies, however across the collection you will learn differing methods of creating hair and practice stitching different facial features. There is a value bundle of all 5 dolls available here
Q: Do you offer clothing patterns for the dolls?
A: Yes! Clothing is sold separately. We have designed a selection of clothes patterns specifically sized to fit the 15" Classic Cloth Dolls. The clothing patterns are sold separately here. There is a clothing bundle too - to help ease the decision-making!
Q: What clothing is Kōwhai wearing in the photos?
A: The Crossover Dress, Reversible Wrap Top, Simple Skirt, and Slip-on Shoes which are available here.
Q: Can I sell items made from the Classic Cloth Doll patterns?
A: These dolls patterns are for personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this pattern, or from a modified version of this pattern.
View pattern FAQ
BONUS RESOURCES
CARE + SAFETY
Items made from Classic Cloth Dolls + their clothes sewing patterns are not suitable for children under the age of three.
These dolls are special and are not meant to be played with by unsupervised babies or small children who might swallow the small pieces of their wardrobes, or chew off an ear or limb.
The limbs may be attached with string which if came loose could pose a choking hazard.
The outfits for these dolls may also contain small parts such as shoes which could pose a choking hazard.
Adult supervision is always recommended and you should routinely check the items you have made for loose threads or signs of damage that could cause harm.