When you buy a softie pattern from Bo Twal, three good things happen.
You get a great pattern and the profits from the pattern provide a doll for a child in an underdeveloped country and income for needleworkers in that country.
First, a bit more about Bo Twal the charity. The Bo Twal founder Deborah Fisher, has organized needleworkers in that country to make dolls for the children in that country. This provides a beautiful soft comforting doll for the children in that country and income for the needleworkers. The doll that they make is made from the same pattern that she sells.
Bo Twal means cloth kiss in Haitian Creole. And on her website are photos of children in Haiti with their handmade dolls.
The Sewing Smiles Doll pattern and a bunny pattern can be purchased in the Botwal Etsy shop.
I have followed Deborah on Instagram for awhile and have seen her many Sewing Smiles Dolls (most recently made for the SewMamaSew softie drive for children in foster care). Their bodies are made of patchwork with a pocket in their dress. I have had the urge to try one for quite a while and yesterday I finally had the time.
The pattern is quick, easy and with great instructions.
Making the Doll Dress
The doll's triangular body is made a bit like a quilt. I'm not a quilter but found putting the pieces of fabric together easy and fun. A pocket is built into the design. The dress is then cut from the sewn together patches.
Finishing the Doll
The rest of the doll consists of a simple head, arms and legs. The pattern suggests cotton, I used linen and that also worked well. She suggests ric rac for a pigtail choice, which I loved.
I also tweaked my doll's face a bit.
Tomorrow's blog post, a Bo Twal pattern giveaway.
