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Russian Matryoshka dolls, also known as nesting dolls, come in sets of dolls in decreasing sizes. They are crafted from wood and have a nesting feature, in which each doll fits into a doll slightly larger than it is. When all dolls are in place, only one doll is visible. The dolls are painted in bright colors, representing the Russian folk art style, and their smiling faces and colorful clothing make them difficult to resist. Make your own set of Matryoshka dolls out of fabric. They make a charming gift or unique home decor.
Dollhouses provide many decorating opportunities that call for fabric. Rugs, blankets, curtains and tablecloths give the dollhouse an authentic feel. Purchasing fabric for these decorations is one possibility, but making it yourself is a more affordable option. Weaving fabric on a loom is a simple process requiring only basic knowledge of how a loom functions. The time needed for this project depends on the size of the fabric that you wish to make.
The secret of making doll heads that turn and necks that move lies in creating the various body parts separately, then joining them using pegs or elastic straps. Rectangular or cube shaped pieces of wood, fastened together with elastic thread, are used to construct a basic wooden blockhead doll. The basic shapes can be painted or decorated to make a variety of character dolls.
Dolls are an important toy for a child to have, and can be the child's companion and story teller. Although they come in many shapes and sizes, and can be made from porcelain, plastic or cloth, dolls that can flip into two different characters offer twice as much fun to a child. Crafting a customized flip doll for a child can be an imaginative exercise for both child and adult alike.
Halloween is a popular time for creating decorations. A "ghost circle gathering" lawn ornament is easy to make and will delight all your trick-or-treaters. The project takes about one hour and uses a few simple, inexpensive materials. Making a ghost circle gathering is a fun family project that can be used to decorate your yard year after year.
Fabric yo-yos -- little rings of scrunched up fabric that almost resemble flowers -- are often placed on pin-points as decorations for quilts and have a history of use as clothing adornments and in fancy fabric flower bouquets. With a near-infinite number of patterns to choose from, they can decorate just about anything for any occasion. Although you won't be shooting-the-moon with these yo-yos, yo-yo balls do make for great do-it-yourself Christmas tree ornaments, as well as decorations for just about any other holiday and celebration.
Cosmetic bags made at home allow you to customize your bag to your own color, pattern and size preferences. Make a large satin cosmetic bag to accommodate your makeup needs on a long vacation or make a small bag just large enough to store a few essentials. Satin cosmetic bags are simple to make and can be completed in less than an hour, even with little previous sewing experience.
A pleated fabric circle is often used to create badges and ribbons as well as other craft items. Fabric is a desired material when compared to paper because it allows more flexibility, water resistance, and a much stronger workable surface. Pleating fabric can be extremely difficult because most fabrics will not hold a pleat without reinforcement. But with minimal sewing skills, you can create a fabric pleated circle in a short amount of time that addresses this challenge.
Tube dolls are often constructed using items that might otherwise be thrown away, such as old knee-high pantyhose or pieces of scrap fabric. Such dolls are an easy craft to make with children, and because they require few materials to create many dolls can be produced, all with different hair, clothes and facial expressions. Should you become particularly adept at making tube dolls you might consider giving them as gifts or selling them at craft shows.
A paper towel helper doll is half of a small doll that is made out of fabric, buttons, yarn and doll clothes. The doll hands have ribbons that hold a wood dowel between them. This wood dowel holds paper towels or toilet paper rolls. The doll is hung up in the kitchen or bathroom at a height that is easy for small children to access. Because the doll is all fabric, it can be thrown in the laundry if it becomes soiled and then placed back on the wall. Making the doll is not hard if you have a sewing…
Making dolls is a time-honored tradition. If you or someone you know loves to dance, you may want to make a doll that loves to dance as well. Dancing dolls can be made out of inexpensive fabric with only basic sewing skills and a little imagination. Dancing dolls can even be customized to suit the particular type of dance preferred by the doll owner.
Fabric strip dolls are an old-fashioned type of home-made doll that utilize scraps of leftover fabric. The dolls are tied together using simple twine and dressed in an apron and hat. They are sturdy and can be played with by a child for a long time. A child can also be taught how to make this doll so that the child can make similar dolls for their friends and siblings as simple and fun gifts.
You can make a doll many ways---ranging from simple to complicated and using all styles and types of materials. One quick doll design, made from a few simple folds, has been used for centuries to create dolls from materials such as corn husks and yarn. Try this same technique to make a folded fabric doll using cloth of any color, fiber and weave.
Making a fabric tube doll is an easy project that, with a little assistance, even children can accomplish. A "green" project, fabric tube dolls can be made from recycled fabric scraps. Help a child make several fabric tube dolls and decorate each one differently to create a family of dolls that will provide hours of entertainment. With little monetary investment, and an afternoon, you can make memorable dolls to cherish.
If you find mildew on your fabric dolls, your first instinct may be to throw them away. However, if they hold sentimental value, you will probably want to find ways to clean them to allow them to last longer. Keep your fabric dolls out of moist areas and dry them in the sun to ensure that they don't stay damp for long if they get wet. If you catch the mildew stain early enough, you may be able to simply brush it off the fabric doll.
Learn how to cut the fabric when making a sleeping bag for an American Girl doll with expert sewing tips from a seamstress in this free kid's crafting video clip.
Learn what fabrics are best to use to make a sleeping bag for an American Girl doll with expert sewing tips from a seamstress in this free kid's crafting video clip.
Doll dresses are great projects for kids and other beginning sewers. They're cheap, too. All you need are a quarter of a yard of fabric and a few other basic sewing supplies. Below are instructions for a dress with a bib collar that fits a 12-inch fabric doll. Grab your fabric and shears and start sewing.
