Craft along PREP WORK and nativity or nature table doll craft-along post #1
If you're chompin' at the bit and are looking for something to do you can...
cut your dowels into 6" lengths (I cut mine with an old knife...score it all the way around and snap it.) Can also use saw if you wanna be all official. LOL!
sharpen one end of the dowels with a pencil sharpener or knife/boxcutter
drill a small hole through the dowel about 1 1/4"-1 1/2" down from the pointed end. doesn't have to be a big hole...just enough to pass a needle through. I make my dh do this to prove how much he loves me
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~Dannielle
Momma to Isabelle (8/95) and Mason (1/01)
Oh my gosh...you didn't. Did you? LOL! Did your pkg make it there yet?
Umm...next...
Well, if I didn't send you stockinette already cut down to size then you'll need to cut it down.
If you have 1" or 1 1/2" stockinette you're set.
If you have 2" or 3" stockinette you need to cut it in half lengthwise. I cut it as I run it through my serger so it sews one half as I cut. If you don't have a serger use a small zig-zag stitch and carefully stitch the long open end closed. Then cut your long tube into pieces about 4-5" long and stitch one short end closed.
Ok, mamas...we're going errand running for a bit and dh wants to check out this new mall that just opened this weekend. It has go carts and a skatepark and ice skating and an indoor playground and a tool store. LOL!
So I'll start posting pics and stuff this evening (later this afternoon if you're on the west coast)
I got the dowels and wheels from Michaels, so I'll be cutting and sharpening. I've enlisted dh to do the drilling too. So, I should be all set when more instructions are posted. I'm still waiting for the wool batting, hopefully it would arrive today.
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Mama to dd#1 (9/00) and dd#2 (3/04)
your dowels are all 6" long, sharpened on one end, with a hole drilled through the dowel about an 1 1/4" from the point (just below anything the pencil sharpener touched)
Let's start with the arms:
Take your 20 gauge 18" floral wire and fold each end toward the center, slightly overlapping. I always curl the ends of the wire...can't say it's necessary though.
tie at the center with dental floss/heavy thread. Spiral wrap one thread to one end and back to center. Do the same thing on the other side. Tie at center, snip threads.
Last edited by Dannielle : 11-15-2003 at 08:28 PM.
fill a piece of stockinette (about 1-1 1/2" stockinette) with wool til you have a ball that's about 2" wide. Tie off at the "neck" with dental floss/heavy thread.
Using dental floss, tie horizontally around the center of the head. Knot tightly in the back.
take another piece of dental floss. Hold the center of the floss under the "chin" (down by where the neck is tied, in the front)...bring both ends up to the top of the head, cross, bring back down under the chin and tie tightly.
Last edited by Dannielle : 11-15-2003 at 08:30 PM.
With a threaded needle stitch the intersection of the horizontal and vertical threads on the side of the head. I stitch an "X" over them. Be sure to go underneath both threads with your needle. I do one side, pass my needle through the head to stitch the other side, then come back through the head and tie off
Then, using a crochet hook or something you can slide underneath the horizontal thread (a fork even), hold the thread away from the head carefully (not too hard or you'll untie/loosen your knot). Then gently push the bulge of stockinette from below the thread under it with your thumbs while you wiggle the thread down to the neck area.
Tie all your hanging threads together at the neck.
Sew a bead to the head just below the eyeline thread in the center of the front of the head. The smallest beads are good for children or young women (Mary)...small or medium beads for men. Using different sized beads for men will give each doll it's own personality. There are no rules...use what looks good to you.
cut skin toned interlock or jersey about 3" wide (the lines in the fabric will be vertical) and about 4" long.
fold the 3" side in half and stitch closed. Hold your sewn tube open and re-flatten with the seam in the center instead of at the side. Sew the top closed. Turn right side out.
Before you put the head inside the skin-tube you need to attach the dowel. Pull the stockinette at the neck up and over the head. Wiggle the pointed end of the dowel into the head...it may not go in all the way...that's ok. With your threaded needle take a stitch on one side of the head near the dowel and catching the head's stockinette not just the neck's. Pass your needle through the hole in the dowel. Take a stitch on the other side of the head. Pass your needle back through the hole. Take another stitch where you took the first stitch. Tie off tightly.
Now pull your tube of skin over the head. Tie the neck tightly
Snip 2 small holes in the interlock...in the back "shoulder blade" area. Slip the wool wrapped arms in and back out again. Stitch the center of the arms to the interlock to hold them securely.
Feel free to stick the dowel in the base. Don't glue it in yet though-that's one of the last steps.
Last edited by Dannielle : 11-15-2003 at 08:56 PM.
I want my angel to hang above the scene so I didn't put her on a stand. If you want your angel to stand then put her on a stand too.
Tomorrow we'll make their hands (my least favorite part) I think I'm going to start with the Shepherd...save Mary for last so that everyone can practice embroidering faces and embellishing on men. That way those who are new to this will have practice before attempting "pretty". Shepherds can get away with being a little rough...they'll have beard that will hide most of their face anyway.
I'm making 3 shepherds because I think having a few different shepherds come to visit will help bridge the gap between Christmas and the Epiphany.
Last edited by Dannielle : 11-16-2003 at 12:15 AM.
Craft along PREP WORK and nativity or nature table doll craft-along post #1
But it looks like that's all I'll have time to do till next week.
~Wendy~
nativity craft-along post #1
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