Crafts Dolls Photography Shack Guide
Handy Tips For Making Crafts Dolls
By Sylvia Adolvana
Crafts dolls are a great way to introduce kids to the
world of arts and crafts because they’ll end up with
a toy that they can play with and cherish for years.
Making a doll is easier than you think.
The materials are readily available and it takes surprisingly
little time to do. Most importantly, doll making is
a wonderful activity to do, while you spend time with
your kids.
Making An Apple Doll
Apple dolls are great crafts for kids. You’ll need
a vegetable peeler, paring knife, colored markers or
paint, wool yarn, scissors, a 16-ounce plastic bottle,
a bottle cork, fabric scraps and a rubber band. Pick
the biggest apple that you can find for the head because
it will shrink significantly as it dries.
Peel and core the apple and carve a face on one side.
Use the tip of a potato peeler to hollow out deep-set
eyes and a paring knife to make a slit for a smile.
If you’re a good carver, you can review your options
and add ears and eyebrows. Store the carved apple in
a dry spot until it shrinks. Once the head is dry, use
colored markers or water-based paints to enhance the
eyes, lips and rosy cheeks.
To make the body, cut the base off the plastic bottle
and plug the top with a cork to serve as the doll’s
neck. Wrap the fabric around the body so that it extends
beyond the top and the bottom of the bottle. Secure
the fabric around the bottleneck with a rubber band
and then fold the cloth down. Now top off the doll by
gently pushing the cored apple down onto the cork. You’ll
end up with a really fun and unique looking doll.
Hina Matsuri Day In Japan
Dolls are popular all over the world. One holiday that
Japanese girls look forward to is Hina Matsuri, a day
dedicated entirely to dolls. To make your own Japanese
paper craft dolls, you’ll need poster board, construction
paper, colored markers and tape. From a piece of poster
board, cut out a simple doll’s body that measures about
7 inches tall.
For the kimono, cut out a 6-inch square from colored
construction paper and from a sheet of black paper,
cut out a 6 by 3/8-inch sash and a wig. In the center
of the wig, cut a horizontal opening that’s wide enough
to accommodate the doll’s head. With colored markers
or pencils, draw on a face.
Next, fold down the top of the kimono 3/8 inch from
the edge to form a collar and color it with a marker.
Lay the kimono flat so that the folded collar is facedown.
Fit the wig onto the doll’s head and then center the
body on top of the kimono. Fold a top corner of the
kimono down over the doll’s shoulder.
Working on the same side of the kimono, fold the paper
vertically to cover the doll’s body. Use the same method
to fold the opposite side of the kimono. Finally, wrap
the sash around the doll from front to back and tape
the ends together. These make beautiful decorations
in a young girl’s room.
Rag Dolls Are The Most Popular
Of all crafts dolls, rag dolls are the most popular
and adored. Get a piece of construction paper and fold
the paper in half, length-wise. Draw half a body along
the fold, so that when the paper is opened the two halves
will be symmetrical. The body does not need to be elaborate.
A simple gingerbread style with extended arms and legs
is perfect. Draw a second outline about one inch farther
out on the paper. This allows for the extra material
needed to stitch together the front and back of the
rag doll. Cut out the shape using this outer line. Unfold
the doll pattern and lay it on a piece of muslin or
other lightweight cotton material that will comprise
the rag doll’s body.
Cut out the shape twice for the front and back of the
rag doll. On the front, use fabric paint and buttons
to create facial features. Sew or hand-stitch the front
and back together leaving a 3-inch gap at the crotch
to stuff with polyfill to fill out the body. Once the
body has been filled, sew up the gap and you’re done!
Introducing Your Child To The World Of Art
Making crafts dolls is a wonderful way to introduce
your child to the world of art. It encourages them to
be creative, and it also teaches them about shapes and
colors. Even if your child is older, they can make a
doll that they can play with.
If they really become an art and craft fan, they can
make a whole collection of hand made dolls! Their beauty
is timeless and will make a wonderful childhood keepsake
for a lifetime.
About the Author:
Sylvia Adolvana is an author of articles on crafts, digital photography and software including
Red Eye in Portraits,
Adobe Upgrade,
Photo Albums,
Photo Enhancement,
Small Digital Cameras,
Create DVDs,
DVD Burner Software,
Family Web Site,
Bridal Portraits,
Wedding Photos,
Wedding Announcements.
Keep a lookout for more articles coming soon.
More Crafts Ideas....
Are you looking for a hobby to get your mind off work?
Do you have children that need something to keep them
busy on a day when the weather prevents outside play?
You need to consider crafts as a great hobby for you
and your entire family.
Kids love craft projects. It not only teaches them
patience but it also gives them something to do that
may be challenging. If you are worried about expensive
supplies, do not worry over it. There are many craft
projects that are very simple and cheap.
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