Using a simple wire form and clippers, dollmaker Susanna Oroyan adds mobility to a doll by attaching moving parts. These kinds of doll forms bend easily and can be wrapped with any favorite fabric or ribbon. Oroyan's model may have a wooden head and a frozen smile, but she certainly looks and dresses smart enough to become a prized posession.
Materials:
20-gauge craft wire - for dolls under 12 inches
16 gauge wire (available in hardware stores) - for dolls over 12 inches
masking tape
wire-cutting pliers
batting
embroidery thread - nine skeins in desired colors
one-inch diameter wooden bead
silk ribbon 1/4 inch wide - 12 yards of flesh color, three yards for hair, six yards shoe color, assorted colors for clothing and trim beads, flowers, etc., for embellishments
Steps: - Make a "W" shape with the wire. The loop will support a head (figure 1).
- Twist the ends of the wire together at the "neck" (figure 2).
- Tape the torso below the neck and above the hip (figure 3).
- Bend the wire to form the hips (figure 4).
- Bend the wire to form arms and tape them at the shoulders (figure 5).
- Wrap the armature with batting (figure 6).
- Wrap the body with embroidery thread to build out and add dimension to the form.
- Cover the wooden bead (which will become the head) by using a needle threaded with embroidery thread. Run the thread through center hole of the bead until three-fourths of the bead has been covered.
- Create the eyes and mouth with flat stitches of embroidery thread.
- Attach the head to the body by inserting wire into the bead hole at the neck.
- Create a desired hairstyle from some curled silk ribbon.
- Wrap ribbon around the doll to make the dress bodice.
- For the skirt, gather the fabric and hand-stitch it to the doll's waist.
- Embellish as desired.
Susanna's Tips: - Figures can be built up more quickly by wrapping with two-ply baby yarn.
- Instead of using embroidery thread for the flesh, the figure may be finished with a layer of wrapped silk ribbon.
- Shoes may be created by wrapping the feet with an appropriate color of embroidery thread.
- Silk ribbons may be curled by pulling them over the scissors blade, just as you would create a gift package ribbon.
- Embroidery thread may be curled effectively by first dampening it with a 50 percent solution of craft glue and water, and then wrapping it over a metal knitting needle.
RESOURCES :
beads, wire - The Beadery
The Beadery Craft Products
Hope Valley, RI
US
Phone: 401-539-2432
Email: info@thebeadery.com
URL: www.thebeadery.com
Anatomy of a Doll: The Fabric Sculptor's Handbook
by Susanna Oroyan (ISBN: 157120024X )
Click here to order this title.
C & T Publishing Inc.
Toll-free: 800-284-1114
Website: www.ctpub.com
GUESTS :
Susanna Oroyan
Author and crafter
c/o Fabricat Designs
3270 Whitbeck Blvd.
Eugene, OR 97405
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