Sock/cloth doll help and advice needed!

[talyra]

So, I recently finished my first stuffie since those pre-cut kits when I was about 12 (no pics yet, it's a swap item). Pretty simple stuff, but it reminded me that yes, I can actually kind of sew, and I'd love to do more! I'm hypnotised by the beautiful art/soft sculpture dolls that I see here and on my beloved deviantArt, and in looking for a beginner's/re-learner's way to get into that kind of thing, I found the hobbit sock doll pattern on The One Ring: http://fan.theonering.net/writing/arts/files/lobelia_doll.html

It looks like exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for in terms of a "body" pattern, and I found the instructions for sculpting the face really clear and easy to follow. The only thing is, I don't quite understand the instructions for the feet! I can see how the rest of it works but I'm confused by the part about folding it in half and sewing semicircles (figure 4 and 5 in the instructions). I understand about turning them inside out but I can't see what the final effect of figure 4 will be, if you see what I mean. Would it be easier just to skip that bit, sew the legs "straight" and then make feet the same way the hands are made, by "choking" off the ends of the legs?

Is it even a good idea to start with something like this? Should I find a simple "proper" doll pattern and use that instead? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[craftewoman]

It has you do that so that when the doll is finished, he has soles for his feet. I suggest following the diagram, your doll will turn out better.

[talyra]

Thanks for the response I did the doll feet the easy way in the end, and they turned out OK. I'll have to see if I can figure out the diagram for next time...