Step 1 – First get an old clothespin, or if you don’t want
to cut an old in half you can get a new one in a craft store. I used a new one,
I did not want to cut up old ones. Take your clothespin and cut it in half. The
top part should be 2” tall. (I had my husband do this with his saw)
Step 2 - Cut a scrap of fabric to cover the head with. I
really don’t measure this, I just eye it. Cover the top of the clothespin with
white craft glue. Not too much you don’t want it soaking through your fabric. Now
lay the fabric over the top and press down. You will have a few creases, make
sure they are to the back of the doll and the face is smooth. You do not have
to cover the whole pin, the dress will cover the bottom part.
Step 3 – Cut a piece of an old cutter quilt, (if you don’t
have this, just use a piece of cotton fabric of your choice), make it 2 ½” X 1 ½”.
Now put a line of glue down one end and along the top edge. Place the fabric on
the doll at the neck and press it on. Add a dab of glue to keep it closed in
the back. Now cut a scrap a bit smaller to be used as the apron. I used
cheesecloth. You can use whatever you want. Wrap it around and secure with a
dab of glue. Then wrap it with a bit of twine. Now she has her dress and apron.
Step 4 – To make her arms, (if you don’t want arms on your
doll skip this step). Cut 2 pieces of the same fabric you covered the head with
1 ½” X ½”. Smear some glue on the one side of the fabric and roll it into a
tight roll the long way. Don’t worry if the ends are not even, you will trim
them off. When you are done with both hold them together and trim the ends so
you have finished arms that are 1” long. Put a dab of glue a bit lower than the
neck and secure the arms on. If a little glue oozes out that is OK, you will
use it to secure the bonnet.
Step 5 – To make the bonnet cut a piece of fabric, (I used
cheese cloth, you can use whatever cotton fabric you choose), 2 ½” X a bit over
1”. Put a dab of glue on the dolls head and place the hat on making sure the
hang over of the fabric is even on both sides. Now press down and press down at
the shoulders too until it stays. Now turn the doll over and use a bit of glue
to press down the bonnet in the back center. Then bring both sides in and secure
with a touch of glue. Your doll is now done.
These look cute in a dollhouse, on a shelf or as bowl
fillers. If you drill holes in the clothespin before you start to dress her,
you can string them on garland. You can also make some that are 4” tall by not
cutting the clothespin. Just do it all the same way as the small one. Enjoy. If
you like these and don’t want to make them, I sell the finished product. I
know, I know a shameless plug for me. ;-)www.etsy.com/shop/PrimitiveBlackHat
