How to Make Washi Dolls
Washi dolls are the Japanese version of paper dolls, and the paper used to make them is called washi. Washi makers create this paper from such diverse materials as the bark of trees, shrubs, hemp, bamboo, wheat and rice. There are two types of washi doll: the big sister doll, which is a three-dimensional doll, and the bookmark washi doll, which is flat. Washi paper is beautiful and expensive. You can use scraps and bits to make a bookmark washi doll.
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Things You'll Need
- Black paper
- Scissors
- White paper
- Glue
- Assorted colors of fine-tip markers
- Card stock
- Narrow ribbon--two colors
- Mini craft punches
- Paper punch--single hole
Instructions
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1
Cut a 7/8-inch diameter circle out of the black paper to make the hair for the doll. Fold the circle in half, black side facing out. Cut perpendicular to the fold line about 2/3 the way into the black half-circle. Turn the paper and cut a line perpendicular to the previous cut line. Unfold the paper to reveal the shape and style of the doll's hair.
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2
Cut a 7/8-inch diameter circle from the white paper. Rub glue on the back of the black hair and attach it right on top of the white circle. This is the doll's head. Draw a face with the markers--two black eyes and a red mouth, for example. The faces of washi dolls should be simple, like smiling cartoon faces, so don't worry about getting the expression wrong.
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3
Cut two rectangular kimono sleeves from washi paper--5/8 inch wide and 7/8 inch long. Make them in proportion to the head. Cut a rectangular swatch of washi longer than the kimono sleeves--3/4 inch wide and 1 1/2 inch long. This forms the torso of the doll.
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4
Glue the washi torso to the card stock. Glue a kimono sleeve on either side of the torso slightly pitched upward so you can see the card stock between the inside edge of the kimono sleeves and the torso. Glue on the head.
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5
Cut a piece of ribbon for the obi sash and glue it crosswise at the waist of the kimono.
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6
Embellish the rest of the bookmark in any way that pleases you; for instance, use a decorative craft punch to cut out shapes from bits of washi paper and glue them to the card stock.
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7
Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark, and lace in and knot a decorative ribbon.
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References
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