Things You'll Need:
- Wooden bead (16 mm), one per doll
- Pipe cleaner, one per doll
- Craft glue
- Acrylic craft paints or fine-tip permanent markers
- Spray sealer (optional)
- Embroidery floss, one skein, to make the doll body
- Acorn caps for hats (optional)
- Yarn, embroidery floss or wool roving for hair
- Felt, fabric, embroidery floss and embellishments for clothing
- Hand-sewing needle
- Scissors
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Step 1
Fold a pipe cleaner in half, pinching it at the halfway point and leaving a small nub at the initial fold. Bend the pipe cleaner again, folding the sides up at right angles. Fold back down to form arms. Finally, bend the ends back up to form legs.
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Step 2
Secure three strands of embroidery floss at the bendy doll's waist. Open up one leg and wrap from the waist to the end of the leg, being sure to cover the pipe cleaner thoroughly. Wrap the floss around the opened leg until you are about a quarter inch past the end of the leg. Bend the leg back together and wrap over both pieces of pipe cleaner until you reach the top of the leg. Repeat for the other leg and both arms.
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Step 3
Paint a 16-mm wooden bead for the head. You can use acrylic craft paints and a fine tip paintbrush to detail a face. For a simpler face, dot on eyes and a small mouth with fine-tipped permanent markers. You may wish to spray-seal dolls that will be handled.
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Step 4
Glue the head bead into place and allow to dry thoroughly. Glue on embroidery floss, yarn or wool roving as hair. You may want to glue an acorn cap onto the hair to keep it in place or craft a felt hat or headband for more secure hair.
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Step 5
Be creative in clothing your bendy dolls. Cut simple, freehand rectangles, T-tunic shapes and circles, then assemble them by hand to form a variety of outfits. Add a few embroidery stitches or small seed beads if desired.
