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Beginner's Dotee Swap

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:charophyta (contact)
Swap categories: Newbie  Dotee Dolls 
Number of people in swap:52
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Rating requirement:4.97 (unrated swappers allowed)
Last day to signup/drop:February 16, 2012
Date items must be sent by:March 5, 2012
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

I want to encourage everyone who hasn't tried it yet to join this swap and make your first dotee. Don't be scared! Dotees are basically really simple and I love how each one has its own style and personality. They are so individual and expressive... they seem to form their own identities while you are making them! It doesn't matter if they are pretty or if they are goofy looking, cute or creepy... they are all different!

For this swap you will make 1 dotee for 1 partner. Open theme, anything goes. Beginners welcome. Swappers with experience making dotees are also welcome, as long as you would enjoy receiving a beginner's first dotee!

The basic form of a dotee is simply a little blob that is sewn together and stuffed (like a little pillow for a body) with a face (can be stitched on or drawn on with regular sharpie or fabric marker), a tail (usually beaded), and a loop (usually ribbon) at the top for a hanger. You are totally free to decorate your dotee any way that you like, or you can leave it very simple. It just needs to have a stuffed body, a face, a hanger, and a tail, and from there you embellish and decorate it however you like, with whatever you have on hand. You can add yarn or other fibers for hair, you can add beading, charms, buttons, sequins, glitter, jewels, embroidery, etc. You can make the body in any shape, but the easiest to start with is a simple oval, or an hourglass figure that curves in slightly at the waist.

I sew mine by hand, just needle and thread. If you want to make it quicker and easier to put your dotee together, make a small one. Dotees range from about 3-6 inches tall (just for the body, not including the length of the hanger and tail).

Here is a tutorial that I like. Turn up your volume, it's got some interesting music.

Discussion

KindaChewy 02/ 7/2012 #

Nervous/excited!

Freegrl 02/ 7/2012 #

This is fabulous! I love these, I've not seen them before, where have I been, in a cave? I can't wait to get started!!! Thank you for the opportunity!

CFlowers 02/ 7/2012 #

These sound like fun! Thanks for hosting such a fun swap!

Shannoncollar 02/ 8/2012 #

This looks like it could be fun.... I saw a pattern for a big dottee at walmart yesterday, but what a fun creative thing to make. Will this be something that will be repeated so we can start a collection?

charophyta 02/ 9/2012 #

Yes, lots of people on swap-bot collect dotees! There are lots of dotee swaps, both public swaps and groups you can join to swap dotees.

If you haven't seen any dotees before, do a search on flickr or a google image search to get some ideas. I also have photos of a lot of the dotees I have made and collected on my flickr here

Iluvdolls 02/11/2012 #

I love dotees been making and swapping them for a little while now, cant wait! :)

Aridalsia 02/12/2012 #

first ever dotee...i just saw/heard about them from a friend.

charophyta 02/13/2012 #

Wow, 21 people signed up so far! This is one of the most popular swaps I have hosted! If we get a few more, this might actually get into the top 10 swaps. :)

@Shannoncollar I am pretty sure they don't sell patterns for dotees at walmart! Maybe it was some other type of doll?

jinxspinx 02/15/2012 #

This will be my first too! Wow , Ive never heard of them! Sounds creative and so much fun to collect!

lavendarcat 02/15/2012 #

I'm thinking about signing up but I was wondering if you might do a regional-USA swap to save postage for those on a budget? Just a thought.

pdjewelrylady 02/15/2012 #

new to swapbot but not to swapping and have made hundreds of these dotees at girl scout campouts! love to join in the fun! thank you :)

Shannoncollar 02/15/2012 #

@ charophyta Your right.... The pattern I saw was this square thing with arms and legs and a tail. After I posted that comment I looked up dotees, and now I'm hooked. I just sewed four bodies, two for upcoming swaps I'm doing and 2 for my sister and mom. I agree with the comment about shipping... I just sent one to the UK, and it was almost 4 dollars and I had to do a customs form. Not that it was really that big of a deal, but just food for thought.

charophyta 02/15/2012 #

@lavendarcat you are welcome to host the USA only version of this if you like!

charophyta 02/15/2012 #

Wow, I did not know that they made dotees at girl scout camp! Neat!

Also, I didn't mention it in the description but dotees do not have arms or legs.

Oh my gosh ahhhh there are a lot of people in this swap now! If you have never seen or heard of a dotee before, go look at some pictures on flickr to get an idea :)

Engelenvrouwtje 02/16/2012 #

I'v just signed in for this lovely swap. Here in Belgium it isn't know so far I know. So I first looked the tutorial, to be shure that I can make a Dotie Doll. I hope you'll signed me in for that one. I just can't waight to begin and I'm already gattering my stuff to gather to make one or more. It seems to be very funny to make them. Many thanks in advanced.

malgosya 02/16/2012 #

Sorry, but I just study english language. I have never make of a Dotee and I will tried it to join this swap. It so fun!

zibbity 02/16/2012 #

I think it would be so neat if people joining got someone from a different country. I'd just love to see what other countries interpret as a Dotee doll. I'm not a sewer, nor have I ever made a Dotee doll but I think it'll be fun to try!

Shannoncollar 02/16/2012 #

I made mine last night, and it's different. I love that they can be as creative as you want it to be.

Elenya 02/16/2012 #

i'm new!!! i'm so nervius!!1

TailsMcHot 02/16/2012 #

im going to wait untill my partner is designated then ill make one that suits their likes, its my first dotee so i hope i get it right lol

northqueen 02/16/2012 #

Some people are new to this and nervous and I imagine that doing the best you can will be appreciated and try not to worry too much. I am glad new Dotee makers were included in this swap- you have to start somewhere.

charophyta 02/17/2012 #

Yeah I think as long as everyone follows the requirements in the swap description you can't go wrong! Stuffed body, face, hanger, tail, 3-6" body, no arms or legs. Embellish as much as you want or leave your doll very simple! You can probably make one by hand with needle in thread in an hour or two.

pdjewelrylady 02/17/2012 #

mine is ready, as soon as i have a partner to send her to! YA! fun quick little project :)

24Donna 02/17/2012 #

This will be my first Dotee doll and I am looking forward tomaking it and many more! Going to get started as soon as I know who its for! They look so simple yet so creative to make!

HayleyS 02/17/2012 #

Hope partners are posted soon! Im holding off starting mine so I can see what my partner likes and try to make one that suits her personality :)

Aridalsia 02/17/2012 #

@hayleyS or his peronality.....lol...i know im probalby one of the few guys on here.

TailsMcHot 02/17/2012 #

Im busting to get started! Its the 18th in Australia lol im in everyones future!

pdjewelrylady 02/17/2012 #

hey :( what happened - why did i get dropped from this swap?? i so sad now :(

charophyta 02/18/2012 #

I did not drop you from the swap @pdjewelrylady

malgosya 02/18/2012 #

charophyta, I participate in this swap?

HayleyS 02/18/2012 #

@Aridalsia Sorry mate! Didnt mean to disclude the guys!

Also, Yayyy partners are posted! Time to see who I got!

TailsMcHot 02/19/2012 #

my partner doesnt have any likes n dislikes on their profile so im just going to send a few extras and hopefully they like it :s

charophyta 02/20/2012 #

Sorry @malgosya partners have already been assigned... it is too late to add you to this one!

malgosya 02/20/2012 #

charophyta, It is a pity, I'll wait for the next swap Dotee for newbie

whytewillow 02/20/2012 #

Well, my "Virgin" dotee doll is almost completed...however, I'm afraid it may not be as nice as some of the ones I've seen on different sites. I hope my partner will like it...but, who's to say...all we can do is our best? Yes? I tried several different patterns, and had a wee bit of trouble at first...but I've made adjustments, and I hope it is at least satisfactory...It sure is fun to make them tho'. Toodles (learning 2 crafts at the same time...dotee dolls and embroidery...)

sunnybroad 02/24/2012 #

I received my Dotee from Donna (Donna24) yesterday it is the cutest thing ever! The next ones she makes I am sure will be even better if that is possible. My first one in my soon to be Dotee family, she is hanging off my livingroom floor lamp. I can see how this can be addictive! I will be sending a photo later and giving her a name! THANK YOU DONNA!!

MamaCheng 02/29/2012 #

Thoughts and prayers to my partner for this swap. Saw they may have had some tornadoes last night!

Engelenvrouwtje 03/ 2/2012 #

I'v just send out my first Dotee doll I ever made to Kim. I hope she will love it. I'v crochet a angel as I believe in angels. I hope this Dotee is the right side and that everything is as it has to be. I toke a patern from a "gelukspoppetje" that means a doll of luck. As I don't know what a Dotee is, I hope that Kim will like it. I had a lot of fun of making it and I hope there will be more of such swaps in the future.

Freegrl 03/ 3/2012 #

I think I'm hooked on Dotee's! I just received mine and it is wonderful! So many talented people out there!

TailsMcHot 03/ 4/2012 #

I will be sending mine tues as its my payday so ill be at the post office, its already in its package waiting to go :) but im nervous as ive never done a dotee lol

sunnybroad 03/ 5/2012 #

Melissa I will be sending yours out tonight, I hope you like it, sorry I am so late Terri

sunnybroad 03/ 5/2012 #

Melissa I will be sending yours out tonight, I hope you like it, sorry I am so late Terri

TailsMcHot 03/ 6/2012 #

i sent mine this morn :s forgot to mark as sent lol sorry

craftchallenged 03/12/2012 #

I can't wait to see mine. I had so much fun doing my first dotee and will surely make another. Watching the mail....

FreddFudd 03/13/2012 #

charophyta, Thank You for hosting this great Dotee swap. I had fun making my 1st Dotee and Love the twin Dotee Girls I received. Cheers, FreddFudd {;-D

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