DIY Dolly Clothes Rack

 Happy New Year all!

Christmas is over and it's time to get busy! Actually, I have been crazy busy... that's why it's been so light on the blog front... but anyways...

 

I thought I would share this little project. I found a little stand alone mirror with a draw and thought it would make the perfect little clothes rack for one of my girls. It is so pretty, with a mother-of-pearl detail and room for accessories and shoes....





The mirror was screwed into it's stand on either side with ornamental pegs. They were easily unscrewed and put aside for some future project.

I measured up the distance between each side of the stand and cut a piece of dowel to fit. The dowel was painted brown to match the rest of the piece and sealed to ensure the paint doesn't chip off, even when supporting little clothes on wire hangers.

The wooden dowel was soft enough to be push through the hole about a  1/2 centimetre extra so I could fit either end into the rack.

So easy!!!
Now I just need something to hang on it! I'm thinking hangers.
I made this little contraption out of a scrap of wood and 3 nails. I used nails with little heads so the wire doesn't catch on them.
I got the coloured wire from the craft store.
**Make sure you measure between your dolly's shoulders to determine the width of your hangers.**

 

These were actually quite easy to make. It did take a little persuasion to made them the right shape and no two will ever be exactly the same but that's kinda what I like about them ^-^.

 

 

And there you go! One tiny coat hanger. Now repeat!

Too cute! 

And Nancy seems well pleased!

I will be posting a DIY tutorial every month, so check back soon *^-^*



 

How to make a Doll Parasol - for Monster High and Barbie

Spring is almost over!
Time to make the most of it. I'm thinking picnics and puppies in the park... and the perfect accessory? Why, a parasol, of course!

These adorable parasols are easy to make in whichever colours you like.

What you need
< For the parasol >

                                                         A cocktail umbrella
Small piece of lace - a wide piece of trim may be used
Gathered lace trim for edge
Glue
Sharpie
Pins


< For the handle >
Embroidery thread in 1 or 2 colours
Paddlepop (popsicle) stick
Ribbon

Step 1
Open up the umbrella
Use your sharpie to trace the outline of one section on the umbrella

Step 2
Carefully peel away the wax paper from the 'ribs' of the umbrella
Cut out the triangle you marked out earlier. This is your pattern for the pieces of the canopy.

Step 3

Use your triangle pattern piece to cut out 8 pieces of lace

Step 4
Apply glue to one of the ribs and line up one of the lace triangles. Press down to secure.

Repeat, securing the opposite edge of the lace triangle on the next rib.

* if you are unfamiliar with using a glue gun craft glue can be substituted. The glue gun dries very fast and you don't really get second chances when it come to aligning the lace.

Step 5
Work your way around the parasol, layering the edges of each canopy piece.





Step 6

Apply a drop of glue on the underside edge of the parasol.

Line up the lace trim and affix around the edge with glue.

Step 7
Finish with a small piece of lace around the 'spike' on the top

Step 8
Cut a small piece of embroidery thread about 12cm long
Place thread along the top of the paddle-pop stick.
Wrap all of the embroidery threads around the stick about 15 times

Step 9
Take each end of the small length of thread and tie together tightly.
Side threads off the stick

Step 10
Take another piece of embroidery thread - I have used a contrasting colour but this is not necessary, it just depends on how you want your tassel to look.

Wrap this piece around the top of the bunch of threads close to the tie and secure tightly with a knot. You can also use a needle and thread to complete this step which enables you to secure the thread without a visible knot.

Step 11
Make sure the ends are even and cut

Step 12
Attach tassel to parasol handle with tape.
Tie a small loop of embroidery thread around the tape.
Using a ribbon, wrap the tape to create a handle, leaving knot free.

Secure with needle and thread.


And you're done!
Picture time!

You can use the loop to secure around your doll's wrist. Then, prop the handle up with her hand. This works best with Monster High doll which have wrist joints and removable hands. So she holds her parasol up all by herself! Ace for pictures!

 

Removing Deuce Gorgon's Snakes and Hair

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of the Monster High boys. Their bodies have a beautiful sculpt - they are quite effeminate, really. The torso is lithe and eschews the bulky, muscular features commonly associated with male dolls (and 'action figures', which are really just dolls with a tough name). However, I can't say that I am as thrilled with the their 'hair' styles. Deuce and Gil have plastic 'helmet hair' with snakes and fins respectively serving the role of Mohawk.
I really struggled to find a way to remove Deuce's snakes and scales in one piece without completely destroying them but eventually came up with this technique. I hope it helps.

What you will need:
Boiling water in a small jug (you will probably need to boil the kettle a few times)
Pliers
Small flat-head screwdriver
Cotton wool

Step 1

Using the pliers, grasp the snakes at the base close to the scalp and carefully twist until they become loose and can easily be pulled out.

You will need to work from the front and back, slowly twisting until they become free. If you try to just yank them out in one go they will stretch and break.

I would highly recommend placing a small bit of cotton wool on either side of the snakes to protect them. Here I have just used the pliers which have left marks on the snakes. I can fix this up later, but cotton would eliminate the problem.

 

The front of the snakes actually embed into the scalp, the back is held in place by the cap.

Step 2

Immerse the doll's head in boiling water for about 30 seconds.

 

Carefully take him out of the water and lie him down on a towel. He will be very hot so watch you don't burn yourself. There will probably still be some water in his head so make sure to handle him with the towel.

Take your screwdriver, place the end flat against his neck and work it up between his scalp and hair. 

 

 

Work your way around his head, slowly and carefully separating the hair from the head.

 

Again, this will not happen in one go. If you get impatient and rush either the hair or the doll itself will surely get damaged, so take it slow.

 

"Ahhhh!"

Step 3

Now you just need to glue the snakes back into place and voilà! You're done.

I was able to lightly sand out any marks left by the pliers. Perfect! Now who wants to be Deuce for Halloween?!

 

 

Please  comment and let me know if this technique worked for you ^-^.

Boil Washing Doll Hair

 I'm sure there's an exception to every rule but, generally speaking, every doll suffers at least some form of box hair. For this tutorial Maddie and Briar from Ever After High will be my models. These  girls have long hair and 'soft curls' which look a fright straight out of the box, a situation not helped at all by brushing. While these girls have curls, the method is generally the same with straight haired dolls


Boil washing will remove the greasy feel and any 'product' (i.e. glue!) put in during manufacture. After washing you also have the option of conditioning, however, this is not essential.

Step 1 - Prep
Take off all clothes and accessories. I gave the girls little toga spa gowns (but am now motivated to sew them robes for next time!). While Maddie's not fussed, I don't think Briar is happy with my choice of outfit!

Brush out the hair using their brush (or a wig brush), starting from the ends and working up to the roots.

* never use any brush that has been used on human hair as there can be oil transfer.


Step 2 - Wash
Boil the water and pour into a small jug. Then, slowly lower the hair into the water and immerse for about 15-20 seconds.

* be super careful when taking your doll out of the water as her hair will be very hot! Hold her over the jug for about 30 seconds and just let the excess drip while she cools down a little.

* wrap the wet hair in a towel and squeeze the water out gently. If you rub to much she will just re-frizz.

Step 3 (optional) - Condition
Take a small amount of conditioner and rub into the ends of the hair. Leave for 30 seconds or so then rinse thoroughly.

* make sure you get out all the conditioner, else she will still have greasy hair when she dries.

* while wig conditioner for nylon hair would be preferable normal 'human' conditioner works fine. Look for one with fewer ingredients and make sure it is OIL FREE.

Oil is absorbed into human hair but just coats nylon, making it greasy.


Step 4
Brush out the hair and leave to air dry

And that's it!