How to Make a Stump Doll
Stump dolls were made in Europe and the United States during the middle part of the last century by poor women for their little girls. They were called stump dolls because they had no arms or legs. The dolls were made by covering a chunk of wood or tree bark with cloth or burlap and then sewing clothes and decorations onto them. Making a stump doll is an easy and fun activity to do with a child.
Things You'll Need
- Soft pine block 6 by 4 by 2 inches
- Scissors
- Staple gun
- Cotton batting, 12 by 4 inches
- 2 pieces of muslin, 4 by 16 inches and 12 by 12 inches
- White cotton sheet, 4 by 12 inches
- Calico, 8 by 14 inches
- 1 large sewing needle
- Thick blue thread
- Thick red thread
- Thick beige thread
- ½ skein dark brown yarn
- White glue
- Colored ribbon that complements the calico, ½ inch by 10 inches
- Rubber band
- Red crayon
Instructions
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1
Align the 4-inch side of the 4-by-6-inch piece of muslin with the 4-inch side of the wood. Wrap the muslin around the wood tightly, and staple the cloth to the wood on the 2-inch side of the wood.
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2
Fold the batting in half lengthwise, and wrap it tightly around the wood, aligning the 6-inch sides with the fold at the top. Staple the batting to the wood, keeping the staples confined to one of the 4-inch-wide areas that will become the back of the doll.
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3
Fold the 12-by-12-inch piece of muslin in half lengthwise, and cover the batting with it to simulate the doll's skin. Align the 6-inch piece of muslin to the 6-inch side of the batting-covered wood. With the fold of the muslin lying over the fold of the batting, staple it down in the back so that the staples are as hidden as possible.
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4
Wrap the piece of cotton sheeting around the bottom two-thirds of your doll's "body" to simulate an undershirt. Staple it into place in the back.
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5
Fold the calico in half lengthwise, and wrap it with the fold at the "top" around the lower two-thirds of the doll, over the cotton sheeting, to simulate a dress or cover. Fold and tuck one end inside the other in front of the doll, being sure the cotton undershirt is visible. Staple it down inside one of the folds to keep it from falling off.
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6
Sew two cross-stitches to form Xs with thick blue thread to represent the eyes.
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7
Sew a design with the thick beige thread to simulate a nose.
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8
Sew three double straight stitches to simulate lips, using the thick red thread.
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9
Cut the half-skein of yarn into 18-inch lengths. Tie a rubber band tightly around the bundle 1 inch from one end.
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10
Cover the top of the head of your doll with white glue. Hold the bundle of yarn by the 1-inch length side, and place it onto the glue-covered head. Check to be sure that the 1-inch topknot is centered on the head and the long strands of yarn hang down the front, sides and back of the head. Let the glue dry.
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11
Create bangs by cutting the yarn that is over the face, just above the eyes.
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12
Put glue around the rubber band, and tie the ribbon over it, making a bow in the front.
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13
Color your doll's cheeks with a red crayon.
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Tips & Warnings
These dolls are not made for children under three years of age.
Don't substitute buttons for eyes for young children.
Do not let children use the staple gun.
