Make Stuff: Fabric Scrap Paper Doll

I came across this idea way back when on Kiddley. It was a guest post from the talented Sarah of Small Object (you have to check out her official mail stamps her stamp necklaces and unique family tree). Anyway I bookmarked her post, started a fabric and trim scrap collection box and made a vow to come back to the idea when I needed a birthday present for one of Princesses' turning-5-friends.

This summer I finally had the chance to explore and expand upon the idea of making a fabric scrap paper doll. Here's how you do it:

-Download Sarah's doll template from Kiddley or draw your own doll shape. I decided to draw my own so I could make her look like the birthday girl.

-Copy the picture 50 times on white cardstock.

-Grab a handful of random fabric scraps from my overflowing scrap box and a handful of trim scraps and placed them in ziploc bags. Start saving scraps ahead of time!

-Add a couple gluesticks and a couple pairs of good kid scissors (it's fun to create with a friend!)

-Make a "sample" to show what the kit is all about. I had Princess do this step for me and by the end, she was begging for her own kit. Oh, my little budding fashion designer.

-Place it all in a fun box. I was lucky enough to find a cute patterned suitcase at HomeGoods for $6 and tied a bow around the handle (no need to wrap!).

This is a great way for sewers/crafter to use up all those scraps of fabric and trim - no matter how small or strange shaped! If you are an avid scrapbooker, you could do the same thing and save your patterned paper scraps to use instead of fabric. If you are neither a sewer, crafter or scrapbooker, ask a friend, mother, aunt or grandma who is to start saving their scraps for you so you can make this fun, cheap and semi-"green" project.