How to Make a Friendship Doll
The idea of friendship dolls originated in 1927 as a way to promote peace and friendship between the United States and Japan. They were a way for two very different cultures to interact and learn about each other during a difficult time period in both countries' histories. Today friendship dolls are still exchanged as a symbol of friendship between children and adults in the same country, as well as in other countries. Making and exchanging a simple version of a friendship doll is a wonderful way to spread the message of friendship and peace.
Things You'll Need
- Mini craft sticks (one for each doll)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Mini flat wood clothespins (one for each doll)
- Floss in assorted colors
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- 1/8-inch dowel
- Snap clothespins
- Scraps of ribbon and cloth or felt (optional)
- Fine-tip markers
Instructions
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1
Measure 1 inch in from each end of a craft stick. Mark with a pencil and use the craft knife or scissors to cut off the ends. Discard the middle section, or keep for another project.
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2
Choose what color top or dress you want your friendship doll to have and use a small spot of glue to attach the end of the desired color of floss. If you want your friendship doll to have short sleeves, start to wrap 3/8 of an inch from the top (cut end) of the stick. If you want long sleeves, start the wrap 3/4 of an inch from the top of the stick. Secure the floss with glue and trim the ends.
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3
Glue the end of the desired color of floss that you want to use for the upper body at the waist of the doll and wrap the floss upwards to the neck. Glue and trim the floss as before.
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4
Decide whether you want your friendship doll to wear a skirt (can be mini or full), pants or shorts. Whatever you decide, glue the end of the floss at the waist to begin. For a skirt, wrap the floss around both legs (pegs of the clothespin) until the desired length is achieved, glue and trim floss. For shorts or pants, begin wrapping at the waist, then wrap down each leg until the desired length is achieved. Glue and trim floss.
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5
Make hair for your friendship doll with strands of floss. For straight hair, cut 16 strands of floss 4 inches long. Tie a small piece of floss in the center of the bunch of strands and glue to the top of the clothespin. Trim hair to the desired length. Curly hair can be achieved by wrapping floss around a 1/8-inch dowel, until it covers about 3 inches and securing the ends with snap clothespins. Next soak the floss-covered dowel in water until it is saturated and let it dry over night. Take off the clothespins and slide the floss off the dowel while using your fingers to turn the dowel. Glue the curly hair to the top of the clothespin doll and trim if desired.
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6
Attach the craft stick arms with glue. When they are dry, glue one end of floss in place at the back of your friendship doll's neck and wrap down to form a collar and shoulders. Glue the floss in place and trim the excess.
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7
Draw eyes, nose and mouth onto the face area of the friendship doll. Use scraps of ribbon to make hair bows, or pieces of cloth or felt to make hats, shoes or other accessories.
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Tips & Warnings
Always start and end your floss on the back of your friendship doll.
