Dolls and Decor by Revu..............: April 2014

Greetings!

I started three projects simultaneously, knitting, sewing and cardboard doll house. I completed sewing first. This elephant is completely hand sewn, I did not use sewing machine at all.

The pattern is from the book called 'Tilda's studio' by Tone Finnanger. I like her books. Presently I own three of her books. I once made a ballerina, from her book 'Fairy tale wonderland' after that I did not make anything, but recently I added two of her other books into my collection. So now again I am inspired to sew dolls.

Three days ago I went to JO-ANNS and bought some fabric :). Always colorful fabric inspire me. I love these one yard fabric bundles that they sell at JO-ANNS. For this elephant I used some left over fabric I had purchased last time. For the skin I used felt. Even though I am not very good at sewing, I surely had lot of fun sewing this doll and I have made up my mind to sew more and improve my sewing skill. My next goal is, to learn how to make Waldorf style dolls.

Right now my hands are full with other two projects which are in progress and also I am reading a novel called 'Family Matters' by Rohinton Mistry. Today I even cleaned the closet where I keep all my craft supplies, fabric, yarn etc. It took me an entire day to clean but now I feel relaxed. But it will soon be time to clean again :)

You all have a crafty day!

Revs!

Greetings!

Are there some wooden spoons sitting in your kitchen, and of no use of them? Then, why not make some dolls out of them. Meet these spoon dolls 'Mr & Mrs. Ladle '.

I have tried to make a tutorial to make these dolls and I hope the tutorial is easy to follow. The tutorial is only for male doll, but only few changes should to be made to make a female doll, which I will mention as and when required. These dolls are hand sewn and there is no need for a sewing machine. It takes just very few hours to make these dolls and are quite easy to make.

Let's get started:

Materials:

Two wooden spoons ( I have used 10" spoon for female doll and 12" spoon for the male doll)

Permanent markers. ( blue, red and black or colors of your choice )

Note: acrylic paint can be used to mark the features on the face instead of permanent markers if you like .

Mohair yarn or any other type of yarn for the hair. ( I have not tried other type of yarn on wood, so I am not sure about other yarn)

(Alternatively doll hair can be used which is available at Joan's).

Fabric for clothes

Cream felt or any other color of your choice for arms. Also for the base of the female doll.

A small piece of felt for the belt for male doll.

A round cardboard piece for the base of a female doll.

Jolee's boutique face for male ( optional). This is available in all the craft stores.

A pair of Barbie size shoes for male ( optional)

Barbie accessories like necklace, purse etc for female ( optional)

Small roses to embellish the hair for female.

Glue

Poly fill for stuffing.

Scissors

Sewing thread and needle.

Skewers or wooden dowels that can fit the shoes.

4 small buttons for the shirt and 1 large button for the belt.

Red coloring pencil for the cheeks

Method:

1. On the front side of the spoon (deeper side of the spoon) mark the features of the face. Leave some space near the forehead, since the hair will cover some part of the fore head.

2. On the back of the spoon, that is the flat side of the spoon, apply glue generously and start glueing the hair directly all around the spoon. For female you have to make longer hair, to the desired length as you want. You can braid, or make a bun or leave the hair open. You can embellish with some flowers, beads etc.

3. Once you are done at the back, apply some glue in the front part of the fore head and attach the hair as you wish.

4. For a male doll you can make a mustache if you like. I have glued Jolee's boutique's Glasses, nose and mustache. You can color the cheeks red if you like.

5.once you are done with the face, cut two rectangles form a fabric and press the fabric. ( I have not mentioned the measurements deliberately. I wanted a lean body. You can cut the fabric according to the size of the spoon and according to the length and width you desire)

6. Place the pieces on the wrong side and stitch the right and left sides of the shoulders, leaving the neck part open.

7. Next sketch the sleeves as you see in the picture to the desired length and width.

8. Cut the excess piece below the sleeves on both sides.

9. Sew the underarms of the sleeves and sides of the shirt.

10. Hem the bottom of the shirt.

11. Turn the shirt right side out and press. It doesn't matter even if the stitches are looking bad like mine :). I didnot leave enough margin for the seam allowance. Don't make the same mistake.

12. Insert the spoon through the neck hole and sew the gap near the neck, so that the spoon is secure.

13. Now stuff the doll firmly but do not stuff the sleeves.

14. Cut two pieces from felt or fabric for pants, cutting a small slit at the bottom as you see in the picture. The length of the pants should be slightly longer than the handle of spoon.

15. Sew the sides of the pants. Now place the pants below the shirt. The handle of the spoon should be inside. Sew the shirt and the pant together near the waist. Leave the bottom of the pants open for stuffing and to attach shoes. If you are not attaching shoes you may want to add a piece of cardboard on both sides of the pant and stick the base of the cardboard with felt, if you want the doll to stand. Otherwise you can just sew the gap without adding any cardboard.

Note:

( for a female doll make a dress just like the shirt but the length should be slightly below the handle of the spoon. Hem the bottom and stuff the doll firmly. But do not stuff the sleeves. Then cutout a small circle from a cardboard and felt to the diameter appropriate to the base of the dress. Now push the cardboard inside and apply some glue on the outside of the cardboard and stick the felt to the cardboard. To make the arms see the instructions below)

(Once the female follow is ready you may want to add some accessories like necklace, purse etc)

16. Sew 4 small buttons in the front of the shirt. Cut a length of felt and sew around the waist and embellish the belt with a large button.

17. Give an illusion of a pant by sewing a length of stitches, in the front and at the back as shown in the picture.

18. Cutout a "U" shape from a felt for the arms. The arms should fit inside the sleeves.

19. Fold the piece in half and sew the sides.

20. Place the arms inside the sleeves and sew in place. ( there is no need to stuff the arms.)

21. To attach shoes place a small length of wooden dowels that can fit inside the shoes by applying some glue. Then push the dowel inside the pants and sew in place. Make sure that the dowel is secure and doesn't come out. Repeat the same way for the other leg.

Finally all the steps are done and hope I have not missed any step.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any doubts.

Happy doll making!

Enjoy!

Comments from my knitting forum :)

# ^

Apr 16, 14 16:12:47

bwtyer

a regular here

Joined: Oct 31, 12

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Location: Texas, USA

cute! It has been years ( at least 30) since I made spoon dolls- used to sell them On mine, the arms & legs were made of the spoon handles or smaller spoons. Yours are very cute- shows your wonderful imagination and fun personality.

EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES - BE KIND!

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Apr 16, 14 17:41:05

mistymorning2

Joined: May 29, 11

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Location: Co Antrim

Revathi akshay wrote:

Hello everyone,

I made these spoon dolls. So what do you think? I have also posted the tutorial on my blog.
www.revathiakshay.blogspot.com
I hope you like them.
Regards,
Revathi...

So Cute ! Love them thanks for sharing these !

mistymorning2

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Apr 16, 14 21:21:10

laurelarts

a regular here