NEEDLE IT: VOODOO DOLL
Materials
» Small fabric scraps for the stuffing
» Larger fabric scraps for the outside
of the doll
» Fine steel wool a walnut-sized clump
» Needle and thread
» Scissors as always
» Marking utensil
» Yarn, scrap, buttons, etc. for doll’s
features and clothing
Use different yarns for a delightfully crazed look,
and embroider a heart so you know where to put
the pins.
1. Cut out the pattern.
Cut out the body of the doll. You’ll need 2 identical
pieces — one for the front of the doll and one for
the back. The doll pictured was created using a fat
gingerbread man shape. You can use the pattern
below or make your own.
2. Sew together.
Match the 2 pieces, one on top of the other, with the
good/front sides facing each other. Sew ¼" in from
the border, leaving a 1½" gap along the outside of
one leg for a stuffing hole. Clip out notches around
the curves to prevent bunching.
Turn the sewn pieces inside out so that the hems
are on the inside and the good sides of the fabric are
on the outside. A pencil or crochet hook will encourage a stubborn arm or leg to work its way through.
3. Stuff the doll.
Stuff the head tightly with steel wool. This will become
the needle sharpener. Then fill the rest of the body
with small fabric scraps. Fill the torso last. Sew the doll
shut with nice big sutures. Don’t worry about leaving
scars on your doll — after all, this is a voodoo doll.
4. Finish!
Use thread, buttons, yarn, and fabric scraps to adorn
your doll. For hair, run the thread through the fabric
with a needle, leaving a tail out on both sides. Lay a
piece of yarn perpendicular to the thread, overlapping the area where the thread runs under the fabric.
Use the thread tails to tie a knot over the yarn. Trim
if desired. Don’t let your first-grade botched Barbie
haircuts intimidate you — doll haircuts are fun!
This is the pattern I used — simple, but perfect for Casey Dougherty still isn’t sure what she wants to do if she
this project. For a PDF, go to craftzine.com/02/ grows up. She divides her train commute between quick and
needle_voodoo. gratifying knitting projects and teaching herself JavaScript.
