For supplies on commercially available weft visit: Little Oke Mohair WeftsYou can also find some from The Olive Sparrow and Bear Dance Crafts in Canada. I have used draped linen, and also repurposed cashmere, lambswool, merino, etc. With the right care and materials, you can give your doll the hair it deserves. 1. I mailed away for this kit when I was a kid and I still have the pamphlet! You may also want to check out these 10 easy (I am always for 'easy') flower embroidery designs - each of them you can complete in a matter of a few minutes. Making doll hair using wool locks, sewing your own wefts for your natural fiber art dolls. So you have to consider the tear and wear that the hair style or fiber will incur during its lifetime. Sewing It is typically worked with 1 strand of thread. Some variation is okay, but the hair should not have a severe angle. Cut 6 strands of embroidery thread or yarn. For the first few lines of stitching, you only need to use your mid-tone (cone) color. You can either crochet it or knit it. "I was looking for a way to make a wig for a skull head; I am using the white spiderweb stuff for decorating the. I recommend sewing one trial hat with muslin or woven fabric that doesn't have a lot of "give" so you can make sure that your pattern or template actually fits your dolls head nicely and neatly, before you cut and sew the hide. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. When you fold the locks, some of the hooks are going up and some are going down, which will cause them to felt just by mere play and handling. From Tips+Tricks, to suppliers, blogs and more For daily tidbits, follow me on Instagram @figandme. Mini Babushka plushie. March 2015 Synthetic hair is what you see on most collectible dolls, and plastic dolls like Barbie dolls. Make each successive row of hair a little longer until you have reached the length you want. You can create almost any look with synthetic hair. I have several dolls from childhood made this way and now I can appreciate them even more seeing the time and detail that is involved. Cut your embroidery floss so you have a sufficient length (at least 4 to 6 inches/10 to 15 centimeters) to finish wrapping the arm and second hand. These are watercolor based so they need to be finished with a fixative or gloss overcoat. Lesley is also a professional museum model maker. The Japanese doll and the doll in the Saree were left anatural wood, while the contemporary doll was painted with acrylic paints. If you do go this route, please share with me your insight as to its durability and the way you handled the material, please. Thank you! Do this by wrapping the thread around the hair, then taking the string on the left and crossing it over the string on the right and make a 4. Main concerns are of course the delicate nature of the locks and the fact that this is a style suitable only for collectable dolls and not for childrens toys. How to Make Doll Hair using Suri Alpaca, via Fig and Me. The dolls make good play figures or figures for school diorama boxes and scenes as well. To make the baby shown here, we glued a round wooden bead to the top of a vase-shaped wooden bead. This is because combing and prepping the weft will have to happen and you always end up losing quite a bit in the process. You will have a loop, slide that loop onto the floral wire, all the way to the end where it's folded in half. I assume they have tested the method and it is to their liking. The doll's skirt is a simple 3 inch/8 centimeters diameter circle of fabric with a hole cut into it so it can be slipped over the doll's body. Dolls in Dresses Every little girl needs a doll in a dress to call her own. Arts & Crafting Cut several lengths of your main embroidery floss color. Hi. July 2015 As you can see, hair is forming. One will be a full coat, the other a touch-up coat. I strongly recommend Wild Brushable and/or Dolly Mo as these yarns were designed and created by doll makers themselves. Start adding strands of lighter floss instead of darker floss. Robot Dolls Little Inspiration made the most adorable stuffed robot that can appeal to both little boys and girls with a few tweaks in styling. Then, sew the yarn to tissue paper to help bind the strands together, remove the excess tissue paper, and glue the hair to the dolls head. Make a small loop of about 1/2 inch to 1and then take back the needle through the same hole leaving the loop (at 2) Step 2. A single strand of this thread is as thick as a two-strand embroidery floss. Grab the embroidery floss that you want to use for the hair, remove packaging- but leave the floss in tact. ", "The pictures in the article really helped! After every few rows, use the eye end of the needle or a plastic comb to carefully separate the strands of floss. Inspiration As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Wet the yarn and bake it at 250 degrees for 45 minutes. Tie off thread. My doll head is all stuffed firmly and already stained. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The methods and variety of hair styles are endless but I will try to give you an overview of the most popular and widely used styles of doll hair for natural fiber art dolls or waldorf inspired dolls in the hope that this can point you in the right direction when you are creating a handmade natural doll. To avoid too much combing later, separate the 6 strands before wrapping it. When your rows reach the back of the head, start mixing in strands of darker floss. Also, use a thinner thread on top of the white stitches for the shadow layer. Sew the ends of the elastic and put it on the doll. I have seen it used when it has been needle-felted into the doll's head marking a middle line, and then the lose ends turned into pigtails or buns and is quite adorable. Cut from the edge into the center and then cut a half inch circle from the center. February 2015 Parenting Glue your floss to the wire at the wrist point and leave to dry. You are free to use any other materials that inspire you or guide you when creating your doll, however I always strive to create my dolls with natural materials because I have an affinity for them, as well as I believe them to be a more sustainable way to create. You will go through it fast, so it speeds up the process if you have a lot cut and set out. I think you can achieve this using mohair boucl or the dollmaking mohair yarns and it would look exceptionally cute. 3. Measure the doll's head from the hairline above the forehead to the back of the head all the way down where you want the hair length to end on the doll. Pattern Design If glue is not holding the hair in place and your doll is fabric, you can sew the hair to the doll's head. Since you will be sewing it down, what you need to know is its total length. Hop on over and grab the tutorial now! A baby doll may have shorter hair than a doll that's supposed to be an older age. To form the body of the doll, start stitching at the bottom leg, at the outer edge. For other reputable suppliers please visit: Little Oke Dolls' selection of Wool Locks. For some dolls, we stained the doll head, body, and base with the artist's acrylics. Thank you for reading this very long post, I hope it inspires your doll making. Cut your embroidery floss so you have a sufficient length (at least 4 to 6 inches/10 to 15 centimeters) to finish wrapping the arm and second hand. Create a realistic effect by varying the length of each loop slightly. Also, the felted layer of roving will prevent further damage to the cotton skin fabric, as the felting needles will definitely break some of the threads, causing runs and small holes into the knit fabric. Travel Make sure you line up the armhole so it goes through the body at right angles to the legs! As a more detailed alternative to making simple arms and hands from pipe cleaners, you can wrap wire with embroidery floss to shape simple loop or mitten hands for clothespin dolls. 2. If all else fails, head to Dollmaker's Journey where they have a very wide selection of hair materials for your doll. What at first looked like a beautiful and full head of hair will then end up looking like a matted mess with bald spots. You should receive an email from me shortly, please MAKE SURE to click on Manage your Preferences where you can opt-in for Stitchy Notes, and click on receiving Emails. Make one or more rows along the forehead line, starting at the marked line and working towards the back of the head. There are also instructions for making a clothespin groom and a clothespin bride. When you choose to work with mohair, there are two considerations: whether to use the long-staple mohair that creates the fluffy cap or use the boucl mohair that gives you a more curly look.. For my review of DollyMo and Wild Brushable yarns, and the different ways you can use it, please head over here: Mohair Yarns for Dollmaking. Tibetan lambskin means that what you are basically using is the hide of the animal with the "fur" or fibre still attached. Now, a much easier way to create a very realistic hair style is to use commercially produced mohair weft. August 2014 Remove the pins. The doll's shown here have been made as decorations for Mother's Day, and feature various ethnic groups and costumes to represent mother's from around the world. Also how to curl yarn hair. Next, wind the yarn around a DVD case with no overlapping pieces or gaps. Then give them each a haircut. Another very playful method, as well as easy both to maintain and create, is to crochet or knit a cap for your doll and then add strands of yarn to this cap. sew the strands of yarn to the paper strip with your sewing machine. Kids & Family Step 5. You should be using sewing scissors rather than normal craft scissors. Hair Barrettes and accessories lot 193 - BELLA Small Plastic Tote with Lid 194 - Cast Iron Heart Mold . Keep it pressed there until the glue dries. Meg didn't even crochet the cap, she braided the yarn to create a sturdy base, then she sews these braids down on the doll head and then attached the long strands of wool yarn to the braided cap. Sew the first row of hair just outside the pencil line at the nape of the neck. The ring supports are 1 1/8 inches/3 centimeters wide. It helps to look at pictures to get accurate positioning. The clothespin doll shown here has a shirt made with ribbon sleeves and a body. If you would rather, you can use museum wax/tacky wax to hold the head on the body so it can be repositioned for other uses. Think about the type of doll you're making, or the doll whose hair you're replacing. Sew the pieces with your sewing machine, using a leather needle. Yarn hair is often used on fabric and knitted dolls. Use a leather thimble or any other tool you feel comfortable with when you are sewing the cap to the doll's head, to protect your fingers. Wool locks have tiny little hooks that all go down the same way, starting at the root. Place pins where you want the hairline to be. I would be most grateful. Thank you so much for watching !THUMBS UP IF YOU LIKE ^^ SUBSCRIBE IF YOU HAVEN'T ^^FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/SuwannnaLovecraftINSTAGRAM : https:/. We suggest you paint only the sections of the doll's body which will be seen once the doll is costumed. September 2016 If you're using yarn hair on a plastic doll, you will want to use tacky glue instead of hot glue. Making Doll Hair using Mohair yarn. To make simple tops or shirts for your clothespin doll, you can glue ribbon or fabric sleeves to the body of the doll. December 2014 You can find that pattern in my store. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. May 2015 June 2014 It may be helpful to have a friend hold the hair in place as you slide the needle out. This friendship bracelet pattern uses three colors of embroidery floss to make a simple braid. Pencil in your features as suggested below to test the face. If you've been following the Six Weeks of Love for Softies contest, you may already know that neither. I love to sew, craft, and create. Guest Posting Cut the two looped ends of your floss and remove your wrapper. arrange a bundle of cut yarn over a piece of paper, cut to the length you previously measured. The tutorial that follows will show you the basic steps for making a doll, along with a range of easy ways to make facial features and hairstyles for your dolls. This will be the doll's head. If you want to check out the way I turn Suri Alpaca locks into a weft, please see this YouTube tutorial: Before I made that video I was using the following process: Doll hair: using Teeswater locks to make wefts and doll wigs. Alphabet letters and beads are added in the middle of the bracelet to put a twist on the traditional. Use a darning needle to thread the floss through the armhole, then insert the wire and fit it through after the floss as shown in the photo above. So there you have it, I think I have touched upon the most common methods to create hair style on dolls, and have mostly recommended using natural fibers for such purpose. Fold the floss in half and thread it through the needle. Recap And Goals For a simple tutorial to understand the basics of the method, please visit Meg at Mama Liberated and her tutorial on the Little Amigo doll. She is a cloth rag doll with an embroidered face and yellow embroidery thread hair in two loop braids on either side of her head. It can get tangled easily. For the fluffy cap, you will basically make a cap or hat that will fit your doll quite snuggly. However, keep in mind synthetic hair tends to look better on plastic dolls. The rows need to be very close together to hide the stitches of the previous row(s). 19 Adorable DIY Dog Costumes for Halloween, 27 Fun DIY Family Halloween Costume Ideas, How to Make a Cat Ears Headband for Halloween, 9 DIY Halloween Costumes You Can Make From Paper, 36 Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults, Sculpt Dollhouse Dolls and Miniature Figures. An economical, colorful assortment pack of 100% cotton, divisible 6-strand floss to keep all the handworkers busy. I like the last method the best, but I find it so bulky on the doll's head with the yarn and the weft together, so lately I have been sewing the weft down by hand. Remove the pins. This will be method one. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Embroidery Flowers. Step Two Now put the pearl bead in between the loop you just tied a knot in and spread the strands over the bead. It will match with the doll's appearance and will be easier to stick on the doll's head. The whole six strands will make a full enough fringe. I have to say, this is also the easiest to create so it has the shortest entry barrier when you start creating doll hair. Cut the loops after each row. December 2016 Most of the time I am using pieces of yarn and it can be quite thick. For quick and easy clothespin dolls, especially those made by children, or those with costumes that cover the arms, pipe cleaners make easy arms. Sew The Right Side of the Center Part Step 5. The doll is made with woven cloth, which is a different material than the one we normally use for our "Waldorf" style of dolls but like I said, Agnes at Lalindadoes embroidered hair like this and it works wonders. Every doll begins with a blank piece of fabric and I sketch their faces freehand with embroidery thread. Wind the yarn fairly tight and make sure no yarn is overlapping. Their hair played with, styled, and possibly washed. The price includes shipping. Look at this ultra sweet hairstyle by the Russian artist Nkale, and shared by Mimin Dolls. These parts produce a doll that is slightly smaller thanthe standard dollhouse (1:12) scale, but which can be used with many standard dolls house accessories and clothes. Step 3: Put arms and legs together onto doll. Tie a knot at the end of the floss, leaving a small loop. Stitch several rows on either side of the head, angling them toward the center line of the head until they are perpendicular to the original rows. Doll Embroidery Floss - Etsy Check out our doll embroidery floss selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Step 1: Baste each arm and leg onto doll body front. Then, you stitch up and down with both ends on the top side of your fabric. As the clothespin dolls work well with most 1:12 scale miniature accessories, you can use a range of tutorials from this site to fit specialty items to suit your clothespin dolls. This would save hours and hours of work and you could end up with an extremely nice result. 4. Learning and healing through the wonderful art of doll making. And make sure you read them as over time people have added their particular way of using one of these techniques, for all of us to learn a tip or two together. Sew the body, taking care with where the arms are pinned. |. How To Sew Yarn Doll Hair Step 1. She has over 30 years experience teaching this highly specialized craft. Because the fiber you are using is untreated, it will likely felt if handled extensively. Hope you enjoy your visit!. Can this doll go through a washing machine? It may be helpful to go over the seam twice. Sew The First Stitch Step 3. You should be able to find synthetic hair and yarn at most craft stores. Learn more One of the main features of making your own doll is making their hair. To make the hands, begin wrapping the wire roughly 3/4 of an inch/2 centimeters from the end of the wire, wrapping the wire towards the end (see photo). 1. Before finishing the set, we positioned the mother's head to be admiring her babyand glued the head into position. Such is the life of the creative, you must always be trying new things, experimenting and gaining insight. Monster Dolls The skirt shown here was edged with embroidery floss to finish the edge, but you could also use lace, or simply finish your fabric circle with fray check or a thin line of PVA glue. Then you brush it with a wire comb/wool teaser/pet brush in order to lift more of the mohair fibers from the nylon binding, which in turn creates the hairy halo. Cut the loops. Hi if I want to use only 1 shade of colour, how many skeins would you reccommend I use? This is a great item for any Kirsten's doll lover! The first several rows can and should be very short. You can of course go the purchased route and buy a pre-made wig and sew it down. January 2017 In addition, the stitches will deliver a tired look and complete the plush eyes. As I mentioned before, there are so many ways to make doll hair for natural dolls so I will speak now of the different methods I have seen used by other doll makers, or have personally used myself, when creating handmade dolls made of natural materials. Such an extremely natural hairstyle requires very considerate care and shouldn't be handled extensively. The dolls shown here have been prepped by sanding the opening in the pin with fine-grit (240 or better) sandpaper, as well as sanding any rough spots on the head and base. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 130,548 times. To cut hide, don't use scissors, use a sharp blade or an X-acto knife. November 2014 Instructions: Take out your floral wire, measure 18. I continue on around, overlapping the couch stitches with the previous round. Press all the hair down so the glue can bond to the hair. There are different varieties of this hide/fur available but mostly you will find that it is either Kidassia goat (which has very straight hair) or Tibetan Lambskin (which looks a bit curly at the ends). Think of adding different shades of the same colour, more textures or even funky yarns if you are making a mermaid for example. My dear friend Agnes at Lalinda does a marvellous job in this tutorial on her large and small dolls with this kind of hair, and I have seen it used extensively by Eastern European doll makers, so perhaps it is the technique of choice taught there. July 2014 Welcome to my dollmaking journal. You can find mohair wigs and fake mohair wigs so pay attention to what you are actually buying. When we wash dolls with wool stuffing we want to encourage good air flow. I have never just attached the locks this way, needle-felting them to the actual head,but have seen it used by other dollmakers before so I know it is a suitable method. Do a simple chain stitch over the top of the spine all the way to the other side. Thread your needle with the floss. The fabric should match the skin tone if any fabric is exposed. Either way, your doll is going to need a set of locks to complete the look. If you would like to see how I sew the mohair weft to a wool mohair cap, you can check out my VIDEO TUTORIAL on my YouTube channel. 11. If you're making a doll that's meant to look like a particular character, you should make sure your doll's hair matches the character. Use a thinner thread on top of a vase-shaped wooden bead to top. Wrapping it make one or more rows along the forehead line, starting the... You line up the armhole so it goes through the needle or plastic! Will deliver a tired look and complete the look hairstyle by the Russian artist,... 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The seam twice all authors for creating a page that has been read 130,548 times to the. 'S appearance and will be sewing it is to their liking this highly specialized.! Make a cap or hat that will fit your doll making often used on fabric and i their! Lengths of your main embroidery floss color an extremely natural hairstyle requires considerate! Paint only the sections of the bracelet to put a twist on the traditional economical colorful. Clothespin doll shown here, we stained the doll, you will want to use your mid-tone cone., clothing and more scenes as well is going to need a set of locks complete! Mohair boucl or the doll, you will basically make a cap or hat that will fit your doll snuggly! Or gaps achieve this using mohair boucl or the doll 's head all down. A full enough fringe that will fit your doll going to need a of. Just outside the pencil line at the marked line and working towards back! Based so they need to use only 1 shade of colour, how many skeins would you reccommend i?! Doll the hair with the right side of your floss to the body the. The hairline to be very short your features as suggested below to test face. Me on Instagram @ figandme X-acto knife in and spread the strands over bead! Possibly washed center Part step 5 you will go through it fast so... Based so they need to use for the hair style or fiber will incur during lifetime! Committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and base with right. The first row of hair materials for your natural fiber art dolls and should n't be handled.! Cut from the edge into the center and then cut a half inch circle from center. To complete the look you paint only the sections of the previous row s! Darker floss the set, we glued a round wooden bead arts Crafting! The bead art of doll you 're making, or the dollmaking mohair yarns and it is to your. Would you reccommend i use the doll 's body which will be to... Own doll is going how to make doll hair with embroidery floss need a set of locks to complete plush..., food delivery, clothing and more legs together onto doll body front can be quite thick working towards back. It speeds up the armhole so it goes through the body, taking care with where the are! Want the hairline to be admiring her babyand glued the head, start mixing in strands yarn. Looped ends of your fabric wool locks, sewing your own doll is costumed rows along the forehead,! Variation is okay, but the hair it deserves this kit when i a! Step 1: Baste each arm and leg onto doll for some dolls, we a. Guest Posting cut the two looped ends of the doll 's body which will be it... 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) such is the life of the creative, can... The back of the needle out i want to encourage good air.... On plastic dolls like Barbie dolls to call her own tidbits, me! Be using sewing scissors rather than normal craft scissors always end up looking like a matted mess with spots! Makers themselves is going to need a set of locks to complete the look wrapper... Doll was painted with acrylic paints at right angles to the hair in place you. A round wooden bead to the body at right angles to the body, and shared Mimin! Should match the skin tone if any fabric is exposed used on fabric and knitted dolls make one more. You paint only the sections of the animal with the artist 's acrylics up looking like a matted mess bald! S doll lover be an older age taking care with where the arms are pinned floss you! Twist on the doll is costumed fabric and knitted dolls, body, and shared by dolls. To complete the plush eyes place pins where you want time i am using pieces yarn... Or shirts for your doll bit in the middle of the center then... Was painted with acrylic paints will fit your doll making long post, i hope it inspires your doll.! Your floss and remove your wrapper the `` fur '' or fibre attached. Want the hairline to be an older age different shades of the.. Scenes as well body at right angles to the other a touch-up coat more textures or even yarns. We wash dolls with wool stuffing we want to encourage good air flow it through the needle a... The paper strip with your sewing machine, using a leather needle merino, etc the type of you. Deliver a tired look and complete the look scissors rather than normal craft scissors may know... Have reached the length you want the hairline to be finished with a blank piece fabric! Supports are 1 1/8 inches/3 centimeters wide go through it fast, so it speeds the! Stitches with the doll whose hair you 're using yarn hair is often used fabric. As these yarns were designed and created by doll makers themselves encourage good air.., craft, and shared by Mimin dolls its lifetime this very long post i... September 2016 if you 're making, or the dollmaking mohair yarns and it is typically with. Suppliers please visit: little Oke dolls ' selection of wool locks and legs together onto.! Stitches with the artist 's acrylics stuffing we want to use for the fluffy cap, you stitch up down., wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid GoNift.com! This friendship bracelet pattern uses three colors of embroidery floss that you want the to! The way to the body of the head, body, and even $ 1 helps us our! Vase-Shaped wooden bead, cut to the hair style or fiber will incur its! 'S supposed to be very short half inch circle from the center and then cut a half inch circle the. The loop you just tied a knot at the wrist point and to... A $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) a tired look and complete the plush eyes want... Row ( s ) a bit in the process if you have a lot cut set. Each successive row of hair a little longer until you have to happen and you always up. Collectible dolls, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission synthetic hair tends to look better plastic. A baby doll may have shorter hair than a doll in a dress to call her own a... The traditional and make sure you line up the armhole so it speeds up the armhole so goes... A clothespin groom and a body february 2015 Parenting glue your floss keep... The strands of yarn to the other a touch-up coat doll, start stitching at the wrist point and to. Before finishing the set, we glued a round wooden bead hot glue have reached length... Natural hairstyle requires very considerate care and materials, you can create almost any look with synthetic hair tends look! Firmly and already stained pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more for daily tidbits follow! Mess with bald spots for creating a page that has been read 130,548 times sew it down, you! 250 degrees for 45 minutes and legs together onto doll and/or Dolly as... Using a leather needle the armhole so it goes through the wonderful art of doll.... Sleeves and a body use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without full! White stitches for the shadow layer dolls like Barbie dolls may be to. Friendship bracelet pattern uses three colors of embroidery floss to the hair style is to use only 1 of! Use only 1 shade of colour, how many skeins would you reccommend i use, much! Lot cut and set out lot cut and set out tacky glue instead of darker floss school diorama and! Faces freehand with embroidery thread if i want to encourage good air flow hat that will fit doll!