The Emily Story
Emily came to life on the pioneer trail going to Utah. Read how she came to be the cherished doll of a young pioneer girl named Rebecca.
Her heartwarming story is here.
This beautiful doll makes a great gift. You can print the story to go along with her.
Print the patterns above.
Materials:
- 2 - 20" x 24" pieces of burlap (body)
- 1/2 yd. Calico (bodice, skirt and sleeves)
- 1/2 yd. Muslin (apron and pantaloon)
- 1/3 yd. 1/2-inch-wide pregathered ecru lace
- 9-inch piece of 1/4-wide elastic
- Polyester fiberfill
- Sewing thread
- Embroidery floss to match dress color
- Seven 21-inch pieces of jute
- 8-inch-diameter straw hat
- Silk or dried flowers for back of hat
- 1-inch-diameter wooden heart shape
- 1 1/2 yds. of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon to match dress color
- 1/2 yd. of 1/2-inch-wide ribbon to match dress color
- Paints - red, black and color to match dress
- Paint brush and small heart shaped stamp or stencil
- Powdered blush
- Glue gun
- Thread - beige, heavy-duty beige and color to match dress
Instructions:
Preparing patterns: Cut pattern pieces along solid cutting lines. Tape or paste the arm (3) and head (2) to the body (1) section, overlaping where indicated.
Note: all pattern pieces include 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Body: Fold one piece of burlap in half with short ends together. Place body piece (1) on fold and cut. Repeat with other piece of burlap.
Thread machine with heavy-duty thread. Using a small stitch, sew around body leaving an opening as indicated for turning. Clip curves and turn to the right side. Firmly stuff arms and legs to dotted lines on pattern. Sew across dotted lines. Stuff head and body. Sew opening closed.
Hair: Cut one strand of jute into six 3 ?-inch lengths. Fold each piece in half and glue across top of head for bangs. Divide remaining lengths into three groups and braid. Cut two 10-inch pieces of ribbon and tie a bow 1-inch from each end of the braid. Center the braid on top of the head over the bangs and glue. Glue the hat to the back of the head. Dip the eraser part of a pencil into the black paint and dot on eyes. Paint a thin-curved line for the mouth. Cover the cheek area with blush.
Dress: Cut out pieces (4 and 5) from the calico fabric. Cut out a 9" x 34" piece of the calico fabric for the skirt.
Cut center line on back bodice piece (5) for opening. Leave front piece whole. Sew bodice back to bodice front at the shoulder seams. With right sides together sew lace to neckline. Clip curves and press lace up.
Gather on short side of each sleeve (4) as indicated on pattern piece. With right sides together stitch to arm hole. Stitch side\sleeve seams. Make a narrow hem on edge of each sleeve.
Gather long edge of skirt to fit bodice. Pin and sew to bodice waist. Sew back seam of skirt to within 2 inches of waist. Press seam open. Press under seam allowance on upper skirt, bodice back and lace. Make a narrow hem on bottom edge of skirt.
With two strands of embroidery floss, thread a needle and make a gathering stitch around sleeves, ?-inch from bottom edge. Place dress on doll and gather embroidery floss tight around wrists of doll. Tie. Fluff up the sleeve. Hand stitch the back opening together.
Paint wooden heart shape to match the dress. When dry, glue it onto the front bodice.
Pantaloon and apron: Cut out piece (6 and 7) from muslin.
Pantaloon: With right sides together, sew front to back on one side only. Press under waistband 1/4-inch. Using a zig-zag stitch, sew elastic to inside of waist, stretching elastic as you sew. Sew other side seam catching in the elastic at top. Sew in seam. Turn right side out.
Make a narrow hem along bottom of leg. Using heavy-duty beige thread make a gathering stitch ?-inch above bottom of each leg. Put pantaloons on doll and gather thread tight around leg. Tie.
Apron: Make a narrow hem on sides and bottom edges of apron piece. Press under 2 inches along top of apron. Sew two seams, 1 inch and 3/4 inch from the fold, forming a casing. Stamp hearts along bottom as indicated.
Thread remaining 1/4-inch-wide ribbon through casing. Gather apron and tie on doll.
Finishing: Make a bow with ?-inch-wide ribbon for back of hat. Glue in place. Arrange flowers around ribbon and glue.
Slip the loop attached to the book around the wrist of the doll and pull to tighten.
