Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Toothpick Doll Tutorial #2: A Dress & Some Arms

Tutorial & Giveaway!

All this week, I'm doing a toothpick doll tutorial, & at the end of the week, I'll give away my finished doll. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on any of the Tutorial blog posts. Since there's a new post every day this week, you can enter every day! I'll announce the winner on Monday, Dec. 8. Enjoy the tutorial! Oh, & take some pictures of your dolls - I want to see them!

Starting the Dress


So, you have your supplies, you have your arms, you have a nicely glued & dry body - on to the outfit!

Glue the thread you want to use for the dress to the doll, just below the shoulders. (See the picture above). It helps to press the thread down with your thumb to get rid of any extra glue & secure the end of the thread. Now you're ready to clothe this doll!


Just start wrapping the thread around the doll, going toward the feet. Try to keep your wrapping pretty close together, so you don't end up with gaps in the doll's dress (how embarassing!)


To end off, just clip the thread & glue it down. I've ended mine shorter, because I want to add a stripe to the bottom of the dress. Now don't get too fashion-designer on your first doll, but go ahead & add a stripe or two if you'd like.

To do the arms, start the thread at the pointed end & wrap down to the hand. NOTE: You don't have to start the thread at the very tip of the point - you'll see I started about 1/4" down. That part will be covered by the shoulders, so save your eyes & patience! When both arms are done, glue them on.

Wonderful! Now set her aside & don't touch her! The arms will take a while to dry, so we'll pick back up tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Shoulders

Leave a comment to enter the giveaway!

You can leave as many comments as you like, asking questions, making astute observations, etc., although your name only gets entered once every day you leave a comment. Yes, you can go back & comment on past days if you missed some!

13 comments:

Lady Artisan said...

I just realized that one of the biggest aspects of doing such simple designs is the importance of your color coordination. You pick such lovely color combos--it really makes all the difference.

Kathy said...

She's starting to take shape. Love the dress!

Sue said...

Angela, I'm finding this totally fascinating. I'm still in awe
at the very tiny scale that you are
working with.

Looking forward to seeing tomorrow's installment.

Malissa said...

These are really too cute. I've never seen them before. Did you come up with this technique?

AngelaMichelle said...

Malissa, everything I'm showing in the tutorial was actually on a free craft sheet from a craft store YEARS ago (like, 15!). Everything I've done with the dolls beyond this has been techniques I've developed.

I'll be sharing some of the more advanced stuff in the future, too. Those require a pretty steady hand, though, so no coffee beforehand :)

Unknown said...

wow. this is so neat getting a insider scoop. lol
thanks for sharing this I always wonder how you made them.

LoopyBoopy said...

Oh this is totally cool Angela..thanks for sharing!!

pumpkinhaus said...

I love seeing how you make your dolls!!! hmmmmm.... do I have any toothpicks around here......

Fantastic Figments said...

Hi there!
Thank for following my blog!

I love your dollies how great. And I love how you gave the tutorial for the toothpick doll. I love this tutorial fad that is going around I am learing so many cool things!

Thanks for entering the give-away.

I am sure I will talk to you soon...

Smooches
Steph

Anonymous said...

Wow, really super. I saw your blog listed in Faerie Mag and I have to add you to my crafts blog blogroll!

Alicia said...

It is beggining to look like a doll

Mércia Faustino said...

beautiful! wonderful!!!

Tracy said...

Wow so awesome thank you for sharing. How did you come to make these dolls?