This is a simple project, using a toilet paper tube, some scraps of fabric and some fiberfill, and trims to make it pretty. The body of the little singer sits in the toilet paper tube and her dress goes over it. She wears a peasant style head scarf.
The body: Measure around the toilet paper tube and add 1/2 inch to the measurement. My tube measures 5 1/2 inches so my fabric piece for the body will be 6 inches wide x 8 inches tall. Sew or glue the long edge of the fabric to make a tube. Fold over the end and sew or glue closed so that you have a rounded end. To give it some weight so it will stand better, you can drop some pebbles, or marbles, or something small and heavy into the bottom of the fabric tube before stuffing. Stuff with fiber fill, checking to see that the fabric tube will fit inside the paper tube. When stuffed tight close off the other end. This will be the head end. Put inside the paper tube. Now pinch off a portion of the top section for the head and tie tightly with string.
Arms: the arms are a long strip of fabric sewn together into a tube, ends stitched closed and all pressed flat. They are attached to the back and brought forward on an angle, as if holding a book. Fold back the very ends and stitch down for the hands.
Clothes: Cut a small triangle for the head scarf, hem the edges or trim with pinking shears. The skirt is a rectangle large enough to cover the tube and seamed to make a skirt. Put it over the paper tube and sew or glue to body just above the paper tube edge. The top is a square large enough to cover the top of the body from waistline in front to waistline in back. Cut off 2 opposite points by 1/4 inch. Cut a hole in the exact middle of the square for the head to fit thru. Put the top over the head, with the 2 pointed corners for the sleeves and the cut off corners for the waistline. Fold the sides together and sew or glue, then pull the arms thru the sleeves to the front.
Now trim the singer with rickrack, or ribbon, beads, glitter, yarn, etc.
The face can be left blank, or carefully make a face with a fine tipped marker or embroidery thread. Eyes and nose can be tiny beads
To make a small book for the singer to hold, cut a small rectangle of index card or heavy paper, fold in half and glue to her hands.
Enjoy
Edey
