Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I get involved?
A. To get started, simply download the doll and bear patterns here and start sewing.
You can make dolls and bears in your own home or organize activities/events to make them as groups.
If you are unable to purchase soft and cuddly fabrics, we recommend asking friends or family for fabric donations as often people have fabric they are willing to donate. We also have fabric available for those who need assistance and are able to pick it up in American Fork, Utah.
Once you’ve completed your dolls or bears you can contact us for drop off/shipping address.
You can make dolls and bears in your own home or organize activities/events to make them as groups.
If you are unable to purchase soft and cuddly fabrics, we recommend asking friends or family for fabric donations as often people have fabric they are willing to donate. We also have fabric available for those who need assistance and are able to pick it up in American Fork, Utah.
Once you’ve completed your dolls or bears you can contact us for drop off/shipping address.
Q. Do I have to make a certain number of dolls or bears to donate?
A. There is no required number to make. You can make one bear or doll, or you can make 100. Each doll or bear you make is important and needed as they will bless the life of one child.
Q. Do you only accept dolls and bears at certain times?
A. We are always accepting dolls and bears as we are always filling and sending shipments. We may occasionally announce deadlines for certain shipments on our social media pages, but you can ALWAYS send or drop off donations.
Q. What items do you accept?
A. We focus primarily on accepting handmade Dolls of Hope dolls, bears and toy Matchbox/Hot Wheels and handmade wooden cars.
Q. Do you accept store bought dolls or bears?
A. We only accept handmade Dolls of Hope dolls and bears and not store-bought dolls or bears. We do accept Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars.
Q. WHY DO YOU ONLY ACCEPT HANDMADE DOLLS AND BEARS?
A. We believe there is something special about receiving a handmade doll or bear knowing it was made by someone just for you. We truly believe the children are able to feel the love we put in to the items we make. We also believe there is a special feeling while making a doll or bear to give to a child, knowing it will bring them joy, comfort and hope.
Q. Do you accept toy cars?
A. Yes we are always accepting Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars as well as handmade wooden cars.
Q. Do I have to use the Dolls of Hope patterns?
A. To assist those distributing our shipments to large groups of children we prefer individuals use the Dolls of Hope patterns. It helps things run smoother if the children feel they are all receiving a similar item. We will accept other handmade stuffed animals that are approximately the same size (12 “ tall) and detail as our patterns.
Q. Where do I find the patterns?
A. You can find the patterns on the patterns page here.
Q. Do you accept other handmade items?
A. If you have made other items and would like to know if we will accept them, please email pictures of your items to [email protected].
Q. What fabric should I use?
A. Please use soft fabrics like fleece and minky as we want to make the bears and dolls as soft and cuddly as possible. Flannel can also be used to make the bears, however we ask that flannel is only used on one side of the bear and minky or fleece is used on the other side. Note: Flannel typically has a low thread count making it less durable as the fibers are prone to separate and tear. Using thicker fabrics like minky and fleece with flannel helps to stabilize the flannel making the bear much more durable and likely to last children longer. If using flannel, pre-washing and drying the fabric before sewing will tighten the fabric up a little making the fibers less likely to separate, but it is still not as strong or durable a fabric as fleece or minky.
High quality quilters cotton can also be used for the dolls, however, we prefer it not to be used for the bears.
High quality quilters cotton can also be used for the dolls, however, we prefer it not to be used for the bears.
Q. How Do I Sew The faces?
A. Hand or machine embroider the face using embroidery thread.
If hand embroidering the face, please make sure to start on the wrong side of the fabric so the knots will be hidden on the inside of the bear and not on front where children may be tempted to pull at the knots and unravel the face.
Tip: You can cut small circles out of felt for the eyes and nose and hand sew them on using embroidery thread and then hand stitch a mouth. This will save time and is a little easier then embroidering the entire face.
Please do NOT use paint, sharpies, fabric markers, or buttons on the faces.
Please do NOT use French knots on the faces as they aren’t always secure and little fingers may be tempted to pull them and loosen the knots.
If hand embroidering the face, please make sure to start on the wrong side of the fabric so the knots will be hidden on the inside of the bear and not on front where children may be tempted to pull at the knots and unravel the face.
Tip: You can cut small circles out of felt for the eyes and nose and hand sew them on using embroidery thread and then hand stitch a mouth. This will save time and is a little easier then embroidering the entire face.
Please do NOT use paint, sharpies, fabric markers, or buttons on the faces.
Please do NOT use French knots on the faces as they aren’t always secure and little fingers may be tempted to pull them and loosen the knots.
Q. How much material does it take to make one bear or doll?
A. You need two pieces of material approximately 12” x 14” to make one bear. You need the same amount of total fabric to make a doll, however you will be piecing together the head and body of the dolls using different fabrics instead of making the body and head out of the same fabric.
Q. How many bears/dolls can you make with a yard of fabric?
A. You should be able to get 5 or 6 bears out of a yard of fabric, depending how you position the pattern on your fabric and much room you leave between the patterns. You should be able to get 8-9 doll bodies out of a yard of fabric.
Q. How much poly-fil stuffing does it take to fill a bear or doll?
A. It takes approximately 3-3.5 oz or 70-80 grams of stuffing per bear or doll, depending on fabric used*.
A 10 lb box of poly-fil should fill 50-60 dolls or bears. Finished bears that are adequately stuffed will likely weigh between 3.6-3.9 oz, depending on type of fabric used.
*Please note, the amount of poly-fil needed varies depending on the type of fabric used – fabrics that stretch like fleece and minky require more stuffing.
Please be careful to fill all parts of the bear (ears, arms, legs to the tips) but please do NOT overstuff or under stuff them. Overstuffing weakens the seams causing them to pull apart while under stuffing makes the items look wrinkly or limp. The bears and dolls should be soft and a little squishy, not stuffed so full they are almost hard.
If the doll or bear is under stuffed when you squeeze or pinch the doll or bear you can easily feel your fingers touch through it.
* If you are unsure if you have added enough poly-fil or too much poly-fil you can send a
video of your doll or bear to [email protected] before you sew the seam closed and we will try to help you determine if it is adequately stuffed.
A 10 lb box of poly-fil should fill 50-60 dolls or bears. Finished bears that are adequately stuffed will likely weigh between 3.6-3.9 oz, depending on type of fabric used.
*Please note, the amount of poly-fil needed varies depending on the type of fabric used – fabrics that stretch like fleece and minky require more stuffing.
Please be careful to fill all parts of the bear (ears, arms, legs to the tips) but please do NOT overstuff or under stuff them. Overstuffing weakens the seams causing them to pull apart while under stuffing makes the items look wrinkly or limp. The bears and dolls should be soft and a little squishy, not stuffed so full they are almost hard.
If the doll or bear is under stuffed when you squeeze or pinch the doll or bear you can easily feel your fingers touch through it.
* If you are unsure if you have added enough poly-fil or too much poly-fil you can send a
video of your doll or bear to [email protected] before you sew the seam closed and we will try to help you determine if it is adequately stuffed.
Q. Can I make dolls of hope for an eagle project?
A. Yes. We would love to have you make bears or dolls for your Eagle Scout project. To start the process please contact us at [email protected]
Q. can i come to your location to make dolls or bears?
A. We do not have a location where volunteers can come to make dolls or bears. Occasionally we will announce events and other opportunities on our social media pages where you can come to help make dolls or bears. But for the most part individuals make dolls and bears in their own homes or organize activities/events to make them as groups.
Q. how do you decide where to ship items?
A. Organizations working with children in refugee camps, children in poverty or crisis from around the world contact Dolls of Hope requesting a shipment. We try our best to fill all requests, however before we commit to sending a shipment we first verify there is a reliable way to send the shipment.
Q. who pays for the cost of the shipments?
A. Most of our shipments are paid for by donations from our generous supporters. We are also extremely grateful to iDrive Logistics for their generosity in facilitating and covering the costs of some of our international shipments.
Q. is it possible to run a dolls of hope service project with a group?
A. Yes. Many groups make dolls and bears together. Depending on the size of your group and how many times you are planning on meeting there are different ways you could organize a service project / event to make dolls or bears. We usually recommend groups have an assembly line type activity with different tables set up for different parts of the process. Or to simplify your event, you could have a group of people prepare completed dolls or bears before your event and participants at the event stuff the items and hand sew the seams closed. If you would like more information and specifics about running a service project / event with a group or are interested in trainings to learn how to run a group service project for Dolls of Hope, please contact us at [email protected]
Q. Do you have a flier, brochure?
Q. is dolls of hope a nonprofit organization?
A. Yes. Dolls of Hope is a project of The Undaunted Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. All donations to Dolls of Hope are tax deductible. The Undaunted Foundation EIN: 84-4242549
You can visit The Undaunted Foundation on our website here.
You can visit The Undaunted Foundation on our website here.
Q. are donations to dolls of hope tax deductible?
A. Yes. Dolls of Hope is a project of The Undaunted Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. All donations to Dolls of Hope are tax deductible. The Undaunted Foundation EIN: 84-4242549.
You can visit The Undaunted Foundation on our website here.
You can visit The Undaunted Foundation on our website here.
Q. I don't sew but i would like to help?
A. There are many ways you can help. You can share our social media posts to spread the word about our mission and introduce your family and friends who may sew to our cause. You can donate to help with shipping and materials here. For those who are local to American Fork, Utah or want to ship fabric, you can donate fabric that will be given to those who want to make dolls or bears but don’t have the funds to purchase fabric. Please email us at [email protected] for our mailing address.
Q. i would like to donate but don't feel comfortable donating online. Can i send a check?
A. Checks should be made payable to our parent organization, The Undaunted Foundation. Please email us at [email protected] for our mailing address.
Q. where does Dolls of Hope send dolls and bears?
A. We send dolls and bears to organizations serving children living in refugee camps and informal settlements, children living in war zones, children in hospitals, orphanages, shelters and children living in poverty all over the world. In addition to sending dolls and bears overseas we have also sent many dolls and bears to children around the United States, to children living in impoverished areas, those on Native American reservations, in the foster care system, in shelters, newly resettled refugees, etc.
Q. how many countries has dolls of hope sent to?
A. As of the middle of 2025 Dolls of Hope has sent bears, dolls and cars to 52 different countries around the world.
Q. how many items have you sent?
A. As of the middle of 2025, Dolls of Hope has sent over 115,000 bears and dolls as well as thousands of toy cars, handmade wood cars, handmade blankets, knit hats, etc to children and individuals around the world.
Q. how do items get distributed to the children?
A. We primarily send dolls and bears directly to organizations that request items.
These organizations distribute the dolls and bears to the children they serve. Occasionally individuals traveling to do humanitarian work or traveling for business request to take items with them to give to organizations serving children in the countries they are visiting.
These organizations distribute the dolls and bears to the children they serve. Occasionally individuals traveling to do humanitarian work or traveling for business request to take items with them to give to organizations serving children in the countries they are visiting.
Q. what is the address to ship to?
A. To ship to Dolls of Hope we encourage you to use the *Give Back Box
program as it is much more economical than any other shipping option. The Give Back Box program allows anyone in the U.S. to ship a box to Dolls of Hope for $20. The weight and size limits are extremely generous allowing
our supporters to pack their bears in to as few boxes as possible. For reference shipping a small box with 10 bears using USPS costs more than $20, while the Give Back Box program allows you to send 80-90 bears in one box. We recommend using the XL Home Depot Moving Boxes as they are the ones we use when we ship to organizations around the U.S.
Step by Step Guide to Using the Give Back Box Program:
1) Pack your dolls and bears in a sturdy box (see note above about the boxes we use). Don't forget to include the Donation form on page 8 of the patterns to help us keep track of who made the items in the box. (You can also just include a note in the box detailing who made the bears.)
2) Maximum size limits: 70 lbs and 108” (length (longest side) + girth).
3) Use this link: https://givebackbox.shop/collections/children/products/dolls-of-hope
4) Click “Add to Cart” for each box you want to ship. Each box is $20
5) Complete the check-out process. You will receive an email from Give Back Box with your label(s) after you complete the purchase.
6) Download and print your label(s) which will include the Dolls of Hope shipping address. NOTE: if you are printing multiple labels and shipping multiple boxes, please check the tracking numbers on the shipping labels to make sure they are different on each label. If they are not different, please email [email protected] and tell them
you need new labels with unique tracking numbers. Please also read the "*IMPORTANT NOTE" below.
7) Attach the label(s) to your box(es) and drop them off at any UPS store
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Give Back Box has been experiencing some issues with their system lately and instead of sending out labels with unique tracking numbers their system is sending out old labels with a used tracking number (1Z EA1 599 90 4056 7425). This results in not being able to track your package and some UPS stores refusing to take your package.
As a precautionary measure, when you order a label from Give Back Box please reply to the email that includes your label and ask for a unique tracking number that will allow you to track your package. It might take you emailing 2 or 3 times but most people have been receiving the new label with a unique tracking number after sending only one email. Please be patient with Give Back Box in your communications with them as they provide this service to many non-profit organizations and are doing the best they can to correct this issue on their end. We hope it will be resolved soon, but until it is we want to be patient as we do not want to risk losing the Give Back Box program and the ability to provide affordable shipping for our makers and sewers/sewists. Thank you for your understanding.
program as it is much more economical than any other shipping option. The Give Back Box program allows anyone in the U.S. to ship a box to Dolls of Hope for $20. The weight and size limits are extremely generous allowing
our supporters to pack their bears in to as few boxes as possible. For reference shipping a small box with 10 bears using USPS costs more than $20, while the Give Back Box program allows you to send 80-90 bears in one box. We recommend using the XL Home Depot Moving Boxes as they are the ones we use when we ship to organizations around the U.S.
Step by Step Guide to Using the Give Back Box Program:
1) Pack your dolls and bears in a sturdy box (see note above about the boxes we use). Don't forget to include the Donation form on page 8 of the patterns to help us keep track of who made the items in the box. (You can also just include a note in the box detailing who made the bears.)
2) Maximum size limits: 70 lbs and 108” (length (longest side) + girth).
3) Use this link: https://givebackbox.shop/collections/children/products/dolls-of-hope
4) Click “Add to Cart” for each box you want to ship. Each box is $20
5) Complete the check-out process. You will receive an email from Give Back Box with your label(s) after you complete the purchase.
6) Download and print your label(s) which will include the Dolls of Hope shipping address. NOTE: if you are printing multiple labels and shipping multiple boxes, please check the tracking numbers on the shipping labels to make sure they are different on each label. If they are not different, please email [email protected] and tell them
you need new labels with unique tracking numbers. Please also read the "*IMPORTANT NOTE" below.
7) Attach the label(s) to your box(es) and drop them off at any UPS store
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Give Back Box has been experiencing some issues with their system lately and instead of sending out labels with unique tracking numbers their system is sending out old labels with a used tracking number (1Z EA1 599 90 4056 7425). This results in not being able to track your package and some UPS stores refusing to take your package.
As a precautionary measure, when you order a label from Give Back Box please reply to the email that includes your label and ask for a unique tracking number that will allow you to track your package. It might take you emailing 2 or 3 times but most people have been receiving the new label with a unique tracking number after sending only one email. Please be patient with Give Back Box in your communications with them as they provide this service to many non-profit organizations and are doing the best they can to correct this issue on their end. We hope it will be resolved soon, but until it is we want to be patient as we do not want to risk losing the Give Back Box program and the ability to provide affordable shipping for our makers and sewers/sewists. Thank you for your understanding.
Q. can i drop off items?
A. Please contact us at [email protected] or message us on Facebook or Instagram for our drop off location in American Fork, Utah.
Q. what is the best way to ship items?
A. To ship to Dolls of Hope we encourage you to use the *Give Back Box
program as it is much more economical than any other shipping option. The Give Back Box program allows anyone in the U.S. to ship a box to Dolls of Hope for $20. The weight and size limits are extremely generous allowing
our supporters to pack their bears in to as few boxes as possible. For reference shipping a small box with 10 bears using USPS costs more than $20, while the Give Back Box program allows you to send 80-90 bears in one box. We recommend using the XL Home Depot Moving Boxes as they are the ones we use when we ship to organizations around the U.S.
Step by Step Guide to Using the Give Back Box Program:
1) Pack your dolls and bears in a sturdy box (see note above about the boxes we use). Don't forget to include the Donation form on page 8 of the patterns to help us keep track of who made the items in the box. (You can also just include a note in the box detailing who made the bears.)
2) Maximum size limits: 70 lbs and 108” (length (longest side) + girth).
3) Use this link: https://givebackbox.shop/collections/children/products/dolls-of-hope
4) Click “Add to Cart” for each box you want to ship. Each box is $20
5) Complete the check-out process. You will receive an email from Give Back Box with your label(s) after you complete the purchase.
6) Download and print your label(s) which will include the Dolls of Hope shipping address. NOTE: if you are printing multiple labels and shipping multiple boxes, please check the tracking numbers on the shipping labels to make sure they are different on each label. If they are not different, please email [email protected] and tell them
you need new labels with unique tracking numbers. Please also read the "*IMPORTANT NOTE" below.
7) Attach the label(s) to your box(es) and drop them off at any UPS store
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Give Back Box (GBB) has been experiencing some issues with their system lately and instead of sending out labels with unique tracking numbers their system is sending out old labels with a used tracking number (1Z EA1 599 90 4056 7425). This results in not being able to track your package and some UPS stores refusing to take your package.
As a precautionary measure, when you order a label from Give Back Box please reply to the email that includes your label and ask for a unique tracking number that will allow you to track your package. Please note, Give Back Box responds to emails in the order they are received so each email you send essentially moves your email to the back of the line and will result in it taking longer for GBB to send you your unique tracking number. If you still have not received a new label with a unique tracking number after two weeks, please let us know and we will follow up with Give Back Box on your behalf. We ask that you please be patient with Give Back Box in your communications with them as they provide this service to many non-profit organizations and are doing the best they can to correct this issue on their end. We hope it will be resolved soon, but until it is we want to be patient as we do not want to risk losing the Give Back Box program and the ability to provide affordable shipping for our makers and sewers/sewists. Thank you for your understanding.
program as it is much more economical than any other shipping option. The Give Back Box program allows anyone in the U.S. to ship a box to Dolls of Hope for $20. The weight and size limits are extremely generous allowing
our supporters to pack their bears in to as few boxes as possible. For reference shipping a small box with 10 bears using USPS costs more than $20, while the Give Back Box program allows you to send 80-90 bears in one box. We recommend using the XL Home Depot Moving Boxes as they are the ones we use when we ship to organizations around the U.S.
Step by Step Guide to Using the Give Back Box Program:
1) Pack your dolls and bears in a sturdy box (see note above about the boxes we use). Don't forget to include the Donation form on page 8 of the patterns to help us keep track of who made the items in the box. (You can also just include a note in the box detailing who made the bears.)
2) Maximum size limits: 70 lbs and 108” (length (longest side) + girth).
3) Use this link: https://givebackbox.shop/collections/children/products/dolls-of-hope
4) Click “Add to Cart” for each box you want to ship. Each box is $20
5) Complete the check-out process. You will receive an email from Give Back Box with your label(s) after you complete the purchase.
6) Download and print your label(s) which will include the Dolls of Hope shipping address. NOTE: if you are printing multiple labels and shipping multiple boxes, please check the tracking numbers on the shipping labels to make sure they are different on each label. If they are not different, please email [email protected] and tell them
you need new labels with unique tracking numbers. Please also read the "*IMPORTANT NOTE" below.
7) Attach the label(s) to your box(es) and drop them off at any UPS store
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Give Back Box (GBB) has been experiencing some issues with their system lately and instead of sending out labels with unique tracking numbers their system is sending out old labels with a used tracking number (1Z EA1 599 90 4056 7425). This results in not being able to track your package and some UPS stores refusing to take your package.
As a precautionary measure, when you order a label from Give Back Box please reply to the email that includes your label and ask for a unique tracking number that will allow you to track your package. Please note, Give Back Box responds to emails in the order they are received so each email you send essentially moves your email to the back of the line and will result in it taking longer for GBB to send you your unique tracking number. If you still have not received a new label with a unique tracking number after two weeks, please let us know and we will follow up with Give Back Box on your behalf. We ask that you please be patient with Give Back Box in your communications with them as they provide this service to many non-profit organizations and are doing the best they can to correct this issue on their end. We hope it will be resolved soon, but until it is we want to be patient as we do not want to risk losing the Give Back Box program and the ability to provide affordable shipping for our makers and sewers/sewists. Thank you for your understanding.
Q. how do i vacuum seal?
A. Instructions to vaccum seal bears and dolls can be found on our Facebook group page, here.
Q. how do i know where my items are sent?
|
A. We share all shipments, including who made the items included in each shipment on our social media pages, so make sure to follow Dolls of Hope on Facebook and Instagram.
If you are not on social media you can see our shipments and Instagram feed on our media page here: https://www.dollsofhope.org/media |
Note: If you do not include a note with your name or the name of the group who made the items you are shipping with your dolls and bears, your donations will be listed as anonymous.
Q. Can I send unstuffed bears or dolls?
Yes. You can send unstuffed bears or dolls (complete with faces) and we will have someone local stuff your items.
q. Do you have any video tutorials or trainings I can attend?
A: We do have a short video tutorial showing one way to hand sew the seam closed after the bear is properly stuffed. Find it here.
We hope to create a "How to Make a Bear" video tutorial soon.
Please note: We recently found this video tutorial created by Sew Yeah Sew, however would like to note the tutorial does not follow all of the instructions in our current "Pattern and Instructions Kit". It will provide a good overview of how a bear is made, however there are a few things we would like to note specifically that are not best practice. 1) We ask that when using flannel fabric it is only used for one side of the bear and not both the front and back of the bear. 2) Please do not use the little stick like tool in the Poly-Fil box to stuff the bears as we have seen teens push the sticks through the ear fabric, especially if one piece of the fabric is flannel. 3) Please do NOT machine sew the seam closed after you finish stuffing the bear. Sewing the seam closed will result in one leg not being stuffed adequately. 4) When using a zig zag stitch to applique anything on the bear please make sure to pull the threads from when you start and stop the zig zag stitch through to the back of the fabric and tie them off so the zig zag stitching will not risk unraveling.
We offer trainings periodically to empower individuals to be able to run a group service project / event for Dolls of Hope. Please contact us at [email protected] for details.
We hope to create a "How to Make a Bear" video tutorial soon.
Please note: We recently found this video tutorial created by Sew Yeah Sew, however would like to note the tutorial does not follow all of the instructions in our current "Pattern and Instructions Kit". It will provide a good overview of how a bear is made, however there are a few things we would like to note specifically that are not best practice. 1) We ask that when using flannel fabric it is only used for one side of the bear and not both the front and back of the bear. 2) Please do not use the little stick like tool in the Poly-Fil box to stuff the bears as we have seen teens push the sticks through the ear fabric, especially if one piece of the fabric is flannel. 3) Please do NOT machine sew the seam closed after you finish stuffing the bear. Sewing the seam closed will result in one leg not being stuffed adequately. 4) When using a zig zag stitch to applique anything on the bear please make sure to pull the threads from when you start and stop the zig zag stitch through to the back of the fabric and tie them off so the zig zag stitching will not risk unraveling.
We offer trainings periodically to empower individuals to be able to run a group service project / event for Dolls of Hope. Please contact us at [email protected] for details.
q. Can I support dolls of hope through amazon smile?
No. The Amazon Smile program is no longer in operation.
Q: DO YOU HAVE DIGITAL EMBROIDERY FACE FILES?
A: YES! Find them in a number of different formats on our Patterns page, here. They are below the links to download our patterns. These files are for Dolls of Hope and personal use only.
Q. DoES Dolls of hope DO CORPORATE EVENTS?
Yes! We have done corporate events with large and small companies, such as Meta, Adobe, Castle and Cooke Mortgage, etc. To learn more about Dolls of Hope providing a service event for your business or company (large or small), email [email protected].
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