Fabric Strip Rag Doll

                                                                                                             Doll I made  using Batiks

    Looking for something to make to commemorate Pioneer Day in July?  We have just the thing. My 16-year old son came home from Trek with an adorable fabric strip rag doll that he had made in a workshop one day.  He was so proud.  (Thanks to Sarah H. for teaching him)

                Patrick’s Christmas-y doll he made on Trek

Materials:

• For the body: 20 strips of fabric, 1 -1/2 inch wide, in as many colors as you wish, cutting the full 44-inch width of fabric.  (You may trim the length at the end as you desire. I just left mine long)
• For the arms: 10 strips of fabric, coordinating with the dress, 1 1/2 inches wide, 16 inches long.  I just took 5 strips, folded them over to make 10 and cut.
• For the head:  4 extra strips of fabric (color doesn’t matter, as they will not show)
• narrow scraps to tie at head, neck, waist and cuffs.

I have selected Batik prints for my doll.

To begin, stack your fabric strips evenly.

Lay them on a flat surface (yes, my flat surface really is a tie-dyed damask table cloth).

Find the middle and tie with a narrow strip of matching fabric.

 

Roll 4 strips of scrap fabrics into a ball, forming the head  (I neglected to measure the size. Sorry.  It fits in the palm of your hand).

Tuck the ball under the tied middle of your stack of fabrics.

Begin closing fabrics around the ball to cover.    

When you are satisfied with the coverage and the look, form a neck with a narrow strip of fabric and tie off.

Choose 10 fabric strips , 1 1/2 inches wide, for the arms. (I selected 5 and folded them over to make 10.)   Cut so their full length is 16 inches long.

Stack them evenly in an order that suits you, if order is what you want. 

Lay your doll “face up.”  Lift half the fabric strips of the doll and lay your arm stack inside, below the neck.

If you wish, as this step is optional, tie the arm strips in place using a strip of fabric from the doll body in front of the arms and a strip from the fabrics behind the arms (note the two tightened green strips).

Replace the “doll front”  fabric strips over the arm strips. Tie off each “sleeve” with a narrow strip of fabric.

Tie a waist with another narrow strip of fabric.

Tug at sleeves to “poof” them, if desired.

And we are done!!

Have Fun!!   Wouldn’t these be lovely made up in seasonal colors?

Viking Helmet

this post is in conjunction with my next blog post on the Latter-day Homeschooling Blog scheduled for March 21,2011
Katie is studying Vikings right now and as she likes to dress up in character, she decided she needed a helmet.


You need:

1. a large balloon
2. measuring tape
3. 2 cups flour and some water for Paper Mache paste - use a bowl that has a lid, as you’ll need this for a couple of days.
4. strips of newspaper 
5. a bowl large enough to support the balloon
6. scissors
7. lightweight cardboard, such as cereal boxes or something a little heavier
8. newspaper to make horns if desired
9. masking tape
10. hot glue gun
11. white paint for priming
12. choice of paint colors for helmet
13. “jewels” for decoration (opt.)

Measure the circumference of your head, and blow up your balloon so it is a little bigger than the head.  Tie it off.
Place it in your bowl so it stands upright, tied end down.  Mix the 2 cups of flour with enough water to make a paste (it was enough to make 3 coats of paper mache)

Dip a strip of newspaper into the paste, run it between your fingers to remove excess paste, and place it on the balloon. Repeat this process until you have made your first coat of paper mache in a helmet shape around the balloon.  Allow to dry.  It may take a few hours or overnight.

Repeat this process until you have made 3 coats.  Allow to dry.
Remove the helmet from the balloon, popping the balloon if necessary, and trim the edges to be even, cutting it down to size, also, if it is too long.

Cut cardboard strips to go around the rim and across the top of the helmet. (Katie used cereal box cardboard across the top and a sturdier cardboard from another box around the rim) Hot glue in place.  Allow to set. 
Draw wings on cereal box cardboard and cut them out.  Hot glue them to the sides of the helmet. If you prefer, shape horns out of newspaper, twisting them into shape and secure their shape with masking tape. Hot glue them in place. Click here for the helmet with horns

Paint the helmet with white paint as a base coat, to cover the newspaper print.  Allow to dry.  Paint another coat, if necessary.

Paint the helmet in desired colors and decorate with “jewels,” or other  ornaments, if desired (see top photo for Katie’s design). 
Be sure to have fun!