I've been thinking a lot, recently, about making dolls and doll clothes for charity. The more I thought about it, the more possibilities presented themselves. Making dolls and doll clothes for others is such a wonderful way to share your passion for dolls with others. In these difficult economic times more of us need a little bright spot in our lives and this can be accomplished for not only the person who donates their time and talents, but certainly the one who receives a lovely new friend.

The first thing to do is find a source for dolls and fabric to make clothing. Flea markets, yard sales and church rummage sales are great places to start. If you would like to read about my adventure at my local flea market, in search of the perfect doll, you can check out my article A Recycled Doll.

Dolls themselves , aren't the only thing to be found. Used clothing is a great source for fabric to make doll clothes. Look in the back of your closet for some old mens white shirts, it's the perfect fabric for making bloomers, slips and aprons for dolls. And they are probably permanently pressed, making laundering your doll clothes nice and easy. For a pattern to make bloomers for your dolls, using an old, white shirt Look Here.

Since I first wrote this article, over a year ago, one of my readers suggested a website that I think is a great place to send some of your creations. Dollydonations.com is a website that collects cloth dolls for charity. They are currently collecting dolls for an orphanage in Haiti. Imagine how welcome a soft friend would be if you had lost your home and family in the earthquake! This website also offers free cloth doll patterns and doll clothes patterns to help you make a doll to donate. But you are free to send a doll of your own creation as well. There is lots of information on the website about where the dolls go and the people who are helped by them, this website is definitely worth a look.

Hospitals and day care centers are always happy to have donated items for children who need a friend, but what about your local food pantry! If providing food for a family is difficult, I'm sure there is no extra money available for toys. My local food pantry has a box of small toys available for children who accompany their parents, I'm sure others do, as well.

Another place to take recycled (or new) dolls is nursing homes. My Mother enjoyed holding and loving my dolls when she was suffering from Alzheimer's and had little else to do.

Making dolls and doll clothes for others needn't cost a lot, using recycled treasures, but the return is immeasurable to see a happy face.

Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls
Ebook with patterns and instructions to make 5 cloth dolls as well as chapters on general doll making techniques.The book includes 21 inch Lalena Doll, 21 inch David Doll, Bear Dolls, 9 inch Destiny Doll and 15 inch Annie Doll, all together in one handy book. 53 pages.Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls.