Ahnalin's Doll

Ahnalin has been completely bitten by the sewing bug.

She decided that she wanted to make her own doll.

So, we set off in search of a simple rag doll pattern so that she could

try out her new sewing skills. She wanted to sew the doll completely by herself.

So I found a simple pattern and let her dig in my scrap box for fabric.

I pinned the pattern to the fabric and she cut it out and changed a few design elements

so that the doll reflected her vision of the perfect doll.

The original pattern suggested drawing on the face with a marker.

However, Ahnalin drew on the face and then asked me how to

applique triangles on for the eyes.

So, I taught her how to do basic applique!

We ironed on the triangles with Stitch Witchery and she

zig-zagged them in place. Then she asked me to draw on the mouth

so that she could zig-zag over that. She drew the nose

on and zig-zagged that.

After she finished the face, she sewed the arms and legs.

Then she started stuffing them.

She LOVES stuffing things with fiberfill!!!

Yes, that is Ahnalin cutting with my big sharp scissors.

I am sure I am going to regret letting her use them, but she is

learning to be careful with them.

The rag doll pattern instructs the sewist to stitch "joints" in

the arms and legs so that the doll can sit more easily.

So, that is what Ahnalin did!

Two legs and two arms!

Then she sewed the arms and legs onto the

front of the doll torso.

Arms and legs are all sewed on and now she has to sew the

back to the front. This could get tricky!

Ok. She finally asked me to help her sew

when she got to this point. Up until this point, she did not want my

help, other than drawing the smile and

telling her how to iron the eyes on to the face.

But the body got so bulky when she was sewing the back on

that she asked me to sew a few of the areas.

The arms and legs are still inside the body at this point.

But when she turned the doll the right side out,

it looked like a real doll!!! Oh wow, was she proud!!

At this point, I made her go to bed. She was NOT HAPPY

about this but finally gave in when I promised that she could finish the doll

after school the next day.

After school the next day, she stuffed the body and head and

sewed up the opening.

Yes! All by herself!!!

I had to stop myself from getting in her way too much.

I kept wanting to correct her stitches, but I had to wait until

she asked for help because she

"Wanted to do it all by herself!!!"

I love this picture because sometimes when she really concentrates, she sticks her tongue out, and it is almost out here!

She LOVES her new doll!

She has named her Sally.

Isn't she cute?????

I just love her!

I am having a terrible time getting pictures to load up so I am going

to have to load up the rest tomorrow.

Oh, and I wanted to give you all an India update.

Thank you all so much for praying. Please keep praying for her.

We went to her endocrinologist a few days ago and it was not a great visit.

But finally the doctors are all starting to catch on that she just gets

sick far, far more than she should.

We saw a local allergist and immunologist today. He will start

allergy testing in two weeks but has also referred

us on to an immunologist in Sacramento. He does not feel that we

have good enough labs locally, or that they just do not have the

experience necessary to find out what is causing India to be so ill.

But at least things are moving along now.

I will update when I have more information.

Please keep those prayers coming.

Sivje