I hope that this chart will help you in seeing how the doll's body is sized for realistic looking proportions. The most controversial part of the doll for most is the head size, and though it is a matter of preference, a realistic looking head does not over power the body, it falls in alignment with the rest of the doll. Take into consideration the hairstyle or headpiece that you will be using on your doll before you judge that a head is too small or too big for a body.
Train your eye to see. Look at heads on people walking around you. Notice!
that is the key to realism. The chart below is drawn to show idealized proportions. We all know that though enviable, this ideal is most often a myth, in reality.
The average proportions of a human body is 6 1/2 heads tall. Someone took a lot of time one day to figure this out. Thank goodness for us. However, when working with cloth, it is a good idea to work within a 9 1/2 head tall scale.
Why ? Because you are working with a static illusion, and becuase cutting, sewing and assembling are all relative to the maker of the doll. The parts of the fabric that are folded to be attached, the sewing lines to attach the upper torso to the lower torso, and the individual habits of the dollmaker makes a difference in the overall height of the doll.
The Head should not over power the body
The shoulder to the upper arm should be about 1 head length
The upper arm to the elbow is another head length
The forearm should fall at the hip line
The wrist should fall at the hipline, the fingertips at the upper thigh
The leg should contain at least 4 distinct areas, ideally each one should be one head length, remember, this is ideally, don't drive yourself nuts with this. Let the eye decide, and adjust as you see your doll.
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The foot must be large enough to give the illusion of proportion. It must also support the body. Often it is necessary to make the foot a tad larger than usual to balance out the doll.
