{DIY} A Kokeshi Valentine

Well we've fallen in love over here in Japan with the adorable Kokeshi.  

They are super cute little wooden dolls that come in all shapes and sizes.

That's a great little book about them that you can buy here.
 

So since that's our love right now, I decided to make a Kokeshi Valentine t-shirt for Charlotte this year.  Today I have the free pattern for you in case you'd like to make your own!

The supplies you'll need are:

the pattern

plain t-shirt

scrap fabric/felt

coordinating threads

needle/embroidery floss

sewing machine

scissors

tear-away stabilizer

Step 1:

 Download the pattern and cut out all the pieces.

Decide on your fabrics and trace the pattern pieces onto the correct fabric. 

Step 2:

If the pattern says cut two, then cut one piece using the right side of the pattern and one using the wrong side of the pattern.

I cut out several different dolls, because I wasn't sure what style I wanted. 

I finally decided on this one:

Step 3:

Draw a face on your Kokeshi head.

Assemble the doll.

Sew the hair onto the head using a straight stitch, then the hair ties using a zig-zag stitch.

Sew the kimono together using a straight stitch down the front and a zig-zag along the bottom to attach the base.

Embroider the face onto the head.

 Step 4:

If you have some iron on transfer you could use it to secure the kokeshi onto the t-shirt.  I didn't have any so I just pinned it really well.  Slip the stabilizer into the shirt.  Thread your machine with the correct thread and set your zig-zag stitch to 3.5 width and .5 lenth.  Stitch around the doll, switching thread when needed. Take your time with this - keep the needle down and rotate your shirt often.

Step 5:

The final step is to zig-zag around the heart, and you're all done!

Isn't she so cute smiling at you?

Happy Sewing!

Have fun getting ready for Valentine's Day!

xoxo

jessica