How to Make a Cloth Matryoshka Doll
Matryoshka, also known as Russian nesting dolls, or "babushka" dolls, are generally made of wood. Made of varying sizes, the set of dolls fit one inside another. While a set of cloth matryoshka are not made to nest, they are very charming and quite easy to make with a few simple tools and materials. Cloth matryoshka make wonderful holiday gifts and decorations. These little dolls are traditionally painted in a highly decorative manner.
Things You'll Need
- Newsprint
- Pencil or marker
- 1/2 yard heavy muslin
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Hand needle
- 1 bag poly-fill stuffing
- Black fabric marker
- Fabric paints
- Clear acrylic
Instructions
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1
Using the newsprint and pencil, draw a peanut shape with a flat bottom approximately 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide for the largest doll body. Draw three more peanut shapes, diminishing in size. They should be 10, 8 and 6 inches tall, respectively. Use the scissors to cut out the doll patterns.
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2
Fold the muslin fabric in half with right sides together. Use straight pins to attach the paper doll patterns to the fabric. Carefully cut around the patterns. Remove the pins from the paper patterns, and pin each fabric shape together to keep them aligned.
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3
Use a straight stitch on the sewing machine to make a half-inch seam around the edge of each doll body, leaving the straight bottom open for stuffing. Snip notches around the curvy edges, taking care not to cut any of the stitching. This allows for easy turning and smooth seams. Turn the doll bodies right-side out.
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4
Stuff each doll body tightly with poly-fill. Use a needle and thread to blind-stitch the bottom seam closed, thus finishing the doll bodies.
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You may want to use a picture of traditional matryoshka symbols to decorate the dolls. Stylized flowers and birds and hearts and stars are often used. Draw a circle in the middle of the head using a fabric marker. Within the circle, draw the face. The area surrounding the circle is the "babushka" or head scarf of the doll. Draw traditional decorations on the doll body using the marker. Allow it to dry.
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6
Use fabric paints to add color to the decorations. Bright, primary colors and the use of metallic gold are traditional. Paint the front half of the dolls and allow them to dry thoroughly before turning them over to paint the back. Stand the painted dolls up and allow them to dry overnight.
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7
You may coat the dolls with a one or two coats of spray acrylic. This will harden the outer shell of the dolls. Make sure to allow the acrylic to dry thoroughly between coats.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Nested dolls image by Vladimirs Koskins from Fotolia.com
