How to Make Thread Dolls
- 1). Trace a 2-inch wide by 3-inch long rectangle on a scrap of corrugated cardboard. Cut out the rectangle using a craft knife. This is the form to wrap your thread on.
- 2). Cut an 8-inch length of thread from one of the embroidery thread skeins. Set the skein aside. Center and lie the thread across the width of the cardboard form. Wrap the entire second skein of embroidery thread around the 3-inch length of the cardboard.
- 3). Bring the ends of the 8-inch thread length together, on one side of the form and centered on its length. Cinch tightly around the wrapped thread and tie in a knot. Turn the wrapped form over. Slip the blade of your scissors under the wrapped thread and cut the center of the length. Each length of thread on each side of the knot will be 3 inches long. This is the thread doll's body.
- 4). Paint a 1/2-inch diameter wood bead, using flesh-colored acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry. Put the 8-inch thread through the bead and tie the ends. Apply a dot of craft glue to the bottom of the bead and slide it over the tied knot. This is the thread doll's head. Bring the ends of the tied thread together and tie in an overhand knot, a 1/2 inch from the end. This will create the hanger for the thread doll.
- 5). Wrap the thread, from the skein you set aside, eight times around the width of the cardboard form. Slip the blade of your scissors under the wrapped thread and cut. You now have a bundle of eight pieces of thread, 4 inches long. Cut two pieces of thread from the skein, 6 inches long. Wrap one length around one end of the bundle, a 1/2 inch from the end and tie in a knot. Trim the tie ends a 1/2-inch long. Repeat with the other tie on the other end of the bundle. This is the doll's arms.
- 6). Separate the thread of the doll's body into two even sections. Center the arm bundle crosswise over one of the separated sections and right below the head. Place the other section over the top of the arms. Cut a 6-inch length of thread from the remaining thread. Wrap the thread around the body of the doll, below the arms. Cinch and tie the thread in a knot. Trim the tied ends to a 1/2-inch long.
- 7). Lay the thread doll on your work surface. Apply cheeks to the face, using blush and a cotton swab. Dip the point of a toothpick in black acrylic paint. Dot a nose in the center of the face and two eyes. Draw a smile using a fine-tip black permanent marker.
- 8). Cut a 1/2-inch tuft of curly doll hair. Rub the hair between your fingers to fluff. Apply craft glue to the top of the head, around the thread hanger. Place the hair in the glue and allow to dry.
Source...