Toothpick Doll Tutorial #4: Finally a Head!

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!

Just How Do You Make Those Heads?

This is probably the question I get asked most often. So now, just for you, I shall reveal the Secret of the Head. Take good notes.

Start your thread where your shoulders left off & wrap along the toothpick until you reach the end. From here on out, just wrap back & forth along that toothpick until you get a head-shape. Don't worry - there are pictures to follow! I'm not just leaving you with that.

TIP: When you get to the end of the toothpick (like in the picture above), put a little dot of glue there & use that to help secure the thread wrapping at the end. This small act will single-handedly save your sanity.

See in the picture above - you just wrap back & forth until you're satisfied. Where you need to, put a dab of glue to hold the thread in place. This takes practice! I give you full permission to let your very first doll be a conehead. Mine had a rather thin oval for a head - give yourself a break! Now, when you're finished, end of the thread at the back.

Don't get too excited - you're not done yet! Now it's time to seal the head.

Put some drops of glue around the top & chin of your head (well, your doll's head, then). With your finger, smooth the glue OVER THE ENTIRE HEAD. Try to do it in just a few smooth wipes, then let the head dry. The glue will dry clear.

WARNING: Failure to seal the head can result in your head popping off. If this happens to you, I will probably be able to hear your wretched wail from here. Don't let your head pop off!

NOW, you're done. Take a deep breath, your doll looks lovely! At this point, you should feel so proud of yourself that you don't even mind that your doll is as bald as a beach ball.

Tomorrow: Hairstyles in Miniature

But first - if you would like curly hair for your doll, there's one more step you need to do today. Wrap some thread around a toothpick & secure it with a small piece of tape. Soak it for about an hour or so & let it dry overnight. Tomorrow, you shall have curls. Be safe & wrap 3-4 toothpicks of hair to make sure you have enough. Make it 12 if you're going for the Rapunzel look. (Not recommended on your first doll, by the way!)

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!