Merry Meet, all.
 After a brief health hiatus, I'm back and ready for another project.
Midsummer is right around the corner, and with it, the sacrifice ofthe Sun God. Since ancient times, the willing sacrifice of the God to assure the continued prosperity of the people has been a central concept. 
Now it's time to work on the practical aspect of a flammable Sun God.

I recommend the use of plain white cotton fabric, tissues or tissue paper for stuffing, and of course your sewing equipment. 
 
Cut a gingerbread-shape out of the fabric about 6" tall and 4" wide from hand to hand, leaving at least 1/8" around the edge. 
 
At all corners, notch the fabric so when the poppet is turned right side out, the seams will be reasonably smooth.  
 
With the fabric facing outside-in, sew all the way around with the exception of about an inch between the legs. Now turn the piece right side out. Stuff with the tissues. 
 
Try not to overfill the poppet or the closing will be difficult. 
 
Now for the fun part. Let's remember that the Sun God is a fertility figure above all, so let's add just a small piece of cone shaped
fabric to the poppet's crotch. This is most easily sewn by hand. Just spread the bottom edges of the extra piece in a fan and hand stitch it to the poppet. It should stand up pretty much on it's own. 
 
Now's the time to stitch the one opening of the poppet closed. If you're handy enough to do it by machine, just pinch the edges and stitch about 1/8" from the edge. If you'd rather do it by hand, that's okay, too. 
 
Depending on how creative you want to be, you can now either draw a face with pen, or if you know how to embroider, you can add features that way. There is no rule that says how ornate the poppet should be, so do as much or as little as will make youhappy. 
 
My poppets tend to be a bit fancy. I add things like yellow
embroidery floss for hair and a full face, but these aren't required. 
 
Well,have a wonderful and successful Midsummer ritual and may you all be blessed with prosperity and fruitfulness.
                                           -Blessed Be-Lady Zephyr