Fabric Dolls: Design and Content Creation
A course by Elena Sánchez SantosFounder of Lele Lerele
A course by Elena Sánchez Santos, Founder of Lele Lerele
Learn how to design and sew your own fabric doll and use it to create photo and video content for social media
A moment of magic occurs when Elena Sánchez turns simple pieces of fabric into lively dolls. The founder of Lele Lerele believes that, no matter how much time passes, a good stuffed toy to cuddle and play with will never go out of fashion. Want to learn how to make your own?
In this online course, design and sew your own fabric doll step by step. Discover the best ways to showcase your creation and bring it to life through photographs, videos, and stories.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 34 downloads
Presentation of the Project: Knowing the Tools
2 minutes, 13 seconds
Playing to Generate Ideas
3 minutes, 11 seconds
Pattern Making
8 minutes, 22 seconds
Cutting and Sewing Body Parts
17 minutes, 5 seconds
Joining, Flipping, Filling and Closing
20 minutes, 58 seconds
Clothes
16 minutes, 30 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Elena Sánchez, who tells you about how she got into making fabric dolls and turned it into a full-time job. She also shows you some of her influences and sources of inspiration.
Take a look at the materials and tools you need before searching for inspiration, compiling references for both your doll and the photos to take afterwards. Elena then proposes a game to define the facial expression of your toy.
Time to start sketching and designing your stuffed doll. Choose the fabrics and colors that best express what you want to convey with your project, then develop the patterns.
Now get sewing! Cut your fabrics, sew and stuff the body parts, and close them up. Add hair and clothes and bring your doll to life by sewing its face. The expression can vary greatly depending on precision, so give it plenty of time and love.
Elena gives you some tips on time saving and planning each part of the process. Once you have your doll ready, discover the best way to present it to the world by creating content for social media, such as photos, videos, and texts.
What is this course's project?
Design your own fabric doll and a simple look to dress it in. Then, carry out a photo and video shoot to generate content that showcases your creation.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in sewing who wants to create their own dolls. This course is also great for illustrators and artists who want to transform their characters into dolls and bring them to life on social media.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of sewing is required for this course, and the ability to use a sewing machine is also recommended.
As for materials, you need:
- A sketchbook
- Pencils and cardboard
- Different fabrics and wool
- Thread and needles, as well as a felting needle
- Filling
- A sewing machine and an iron
- A camera and your smartphone
Reviews
- layayabotanikaPLUS16 days ago
Explicaciones sencillas, me ha servido mucho para crear mis propias muñecas
- 1 month ago
Elena es maravillosa compartiendo sus conocimientos, lo explica muy bien y da tips para cada detalle. También comparte como tomar las fotografías para nuestras redes.
- 2 months ago
Gracias Helena y domestika por este curso maravilloso, el material es muy explicativo y muy practico, me ayudo mucho a expandir mi creatividad, super recomendado
- 2 months ago
recien empiezo.. y me va guustando.
- 4 months ago
Eu já fazia bonecas de pano, mas apenas reproduzia criações de outras pessoas, eaprender a criar a minha própria boneca foi emocionante. Curso muito bem explicado e prazeroso de se fazer.
obrifgada
From her first project to her latest creation, she has become an expert in sewing dolls and stuffed animals, and on top of running her own brand she has mastered photography, communication, storytelling, and planning in the process.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
First Steps
- Presentation of the Project: Knowing the Tools
- Searching for Inspiration
- Playing to Generate Ideas
- U3
Sketching the Doll
- Making the Sketch
- Pattern Making
- U4
Creation of the Doll
- Cutting and Sewing Body Parts
- Joining, Flipping, Filling and Closing
- Clothes
- Hair
- Face
- U5
Creating Content at Your Level
- Organization and Planning Tips
- Writing Texts
- Storyboard for the Photo Session
- Shooting: Photo and Reels
- FP
Final project
- Fabric Dolls: Design and Content Creation
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn how to design, sew, and personalize fabric dolls and stuffed animals—from finding inspiration and creating patterns to embroidery techniques, making clothes, and photographing your work for social media.
No prior experience is required, though basic sewing knowledge is helpful. The course offers step-by-step guidance for both beginners and those with some experience.
You’ll need fabric, stuffing, thread, needles, yarn, scissors, fabric markers, cardstock for patterns, and basic sewing supplies. Having a smartphone handy for photographing your creations is also useful.
Yes, the course covers marketing strategies, photography, and communication to help you sell and showcase your creations on Etsy, Instagram, and other online platforms.
The course teaches traditional sewing, assembly, modern embroidery techniques for faces, attaching hair, making clothes, and creating custom patterns for fabric dolls.
You’ll learn how to create mood boards, gather visual inspiration, mix facial features, and design unique expressions so each doll reflects your creative identity.
Yes, the course shows you how to turn sketches into technical patterns, adjust proportions, add seam allowances, and bring your ideas to life as personalized dolls.