How to Make Spun Cotton Figures
Create spun cotton figures using spun cotton wrapped around a wired body. Spun cotton is the fibrous substance surrounding the cotton seed. With some patience, anyone can create these types of figures and they make ideal gifts or ornaments for home décor. Spun cotton can be fashioned into any shape or size. It can be a modern super hero, a vintage-look doll or an animal.
Things You'll Need
- Spun cotton
- Wooden Dowel
- Thick construction paper or a small piece of cardboard
- Small picture of a face (human, animal or cartoon character)
- 42-inch length of wire
- Wire cutter
- Scissors
- Glue
- Fabric for clothes
Instructions
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Create Your Shape
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1
Print a comical face from the Internet, cut it out of a magazine or draw one yourself.
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2
Glue the picture onto construction paper or cardboard and trim away the edges.
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3
Glue a fluted wooden dowel piece to the bottom portion of the cardboard face. Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding.
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4
Wrap 30 inches of the wire around the dowel piece that should now be firmly attached to the doll head. Start just below the head.
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5
Twist the leftover wire a few times after you have wrapped it. Split the remaining wire into two pieces. This will form the legs of the figure.
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6
Cut a 12-inch piece of wire and wrap it around the dowel, just below the head. Split this wire into two as well. These are the arms of the figure.
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7
Wrap masking tape around the exposed wires and the wood a few times. This will allow the spun cotton to have something to adhere to.
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8
Cut the spun cotton into strips of 1/3 inch. Apply glue to the body of the doll, including the dowel. Carefully wrap the strips around the body of the doll, keeping the thickness on the body even. Keep the thickness in the arms and legs of the doll comparatively lighter. The spun cotton should be stretched tight to avoid unraveling.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Once the glue has dried, you can create clothes, paper hats or crowns to suit the spun cotton figure with felt, fabric or crepe paper.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
