First Felt Doll

What you'll need

• Two identical doll shapes pre-cut from soft felt (a simple gingerbread-person shape)
• A blunt plastic or metal tapestry needle with a big eye
• Pastel embroidery floss, pre-threaded and knotted
• A small handful of polyester stuffing or wool fluff
• 2-3 small buttons or felt scraps for the face
• Craft glue for the face details

How to make it

1. 1

   Sit hip-to-hip with your child so you can guide both hands.

2. 2

   Line up the two felt doll shapes on top of each other.

3. 3

   Show your child how to push the needle down through both layers near the edge, then up again a little further along. Whisper 'down, up, down, up' as a rhythm.

4. 4

   Stitch slowly all the way around, leaving a small opening about the size of a thumb.

5. 5

   Put the needle aside. Together, push little pinches of stuffing into the opening until the doll feels squishy but not overstuffed.

6. 6

   Pick the needle back up and stitch the opening closed.

7. 7

   Glue on buttons for eyes and a felt scrap smile. Give the new friend a name.