Just like me doll

When 7-year-old Joy-anne Plaxton opened her birthday present, she couldn't believe her eyes: A big blue-eyed doll with little blonde pigtails, dressed in her school uniform, was smiling up at her. "It's just like me!" she said, and gave the doll a great big hug.

"Joy-anne took her doll to school and it went over like gangbusters! Everyone fell in love with it," says her mother, Beverley Plaxton, who designed the doll.

As a surprise, for Joy-anne's Grade 2 class in Toronto, Beverley made a "me" doll for each student, one for the teacher and one for the principal. While the class was at gym, Beverley sneaked into the room and sat each doll at the appropriate desk. When the students returned, they raced to their desks and silence fell as each one encountered her own just-like-me doll.

"I tried to maintain the identity of each child," says Beverley. "There were four boys in the class and even they still treasure their dolls."

Beverley has made many "me" dolls since. She's made a doll with a singing mouth for a favourite music teacher, one in a christening gown for her newborn goddaughter and preppy dolls with knee socks and Lacoste sweaters.

The "me" doll is a delightful gift that's sure to win the heart of someone special. It's huggable, full of charm and unique – after all, it's just like someone you know.
Beverley says all you need to make this cuddly, one-of-a-kind gift is a little imagination, some fabric, yarn, fibrefill stuffing and a few notions. Make sure you know the eye colour, and hair colour and style of the person for whom you're making the doll. For an added personal touch, select fabric in colours he or she loves, or use the fabric from a favourite outfit she's outgrown. Make each doll as individual as your special person with masses of curls, long sleek braids or a short blunt cut. When you're finished, you'll have a 38 cm (15 in) cuddly charmer. The firmly stuffed bodies and removable clothes are designed to be played with, and make the perfect companions for any youngster.

Use firmly woven broadcloth for the body and polyester fibrefill for stuffing. The pattern includes three separate outfits – a dress and pinafore, jeans and T-shirt or nightgown and cap. You can adapt the patterns and choose accessories to suit each doll's "personality."