Wrapped in Prayer

 

 I like using recycled materials,

so here's a doll I made out of an

old pair of canvas pants.

 I drew a simple pattern of a doll 
on the cloth with a pencil.

 

After pinning two pieces of cloth together, I cut it out

leaving a bit of a seam.

 

Next, I sewed the two pieces of cloth together.

 

It is important to put notches on the seam so that 

when you invert the doll, 

the cloth won't bunch up.

 

I am now inverting the doll to the right side.

If it is difficult to invert, you can use a 

long nosed pair of pliers.

 

Fill the doll with fiberfill or cotton.

When it comes to the arms,

just put fiberfill or cotton inside the hands,

then sew a knot to keep the cotton in there.

Sew a knot in between the arm and body too

to keep the cotton from migrating to the arm.

The arms will not have any cotton or fiberfill

so it is pliable.

 

When the body is filled with fiberfill or cotton,

place a stone at the bottom

to add weight.

Cut out two ovals from cardboard

to fit inside the base.

Use a glue gun to glue cloth to the base.
Then glue on the 2nd cardboard oval to cover it up.

 

Paint the doll with gesso or wall putty

to make a base for paint.

Draw a face.

Or you can use movable eyes

and a button nose if you prefer.

 Or feel free to use this template

with carbon paper to trace it

on to your doll.

Paint the face. I used acrylic paints.

 Paint the dress.

I like using two or more shades of the same color

 to add interesting splotches.

Also, this hides any imperfections!

 

For the hair, I used some scraggly yarn 

I unravelled from an old sweater.

I looped the yarn around my fingers,
cut it, and arranged it on her head.
Then I used a glue gun to hold it in place.
The important thing is not to let any bald spots show!!

Next, I looked for some lace

and fixed it around her shoulders.

I cut up some small bits for her neckline

and her sleeves.

To put words on her dress,
you may write directly on the dress with
a permanent pen.
But I chose to use gel medium.
Make sure your words are inverted and
that you used a copy from a copier
not from a printer.

Put gel medium on the side with the print.
Glue it on the dress.
Wait 30 minutes.

To remove the paper, dip your finger

in water and rub off.

If some parts of the letters got removed,
like here with the letter e,

just write over it with a permanent pen.

For the little book,

I cut out some leather from an old jacket.

I was so happy to find the leather label

of just the right size! 

Make 3 signatures out of any kind of paper.

I used an awl to make the holes,

but you can use an ice pick or even a big needle.

Sew it up with the knot outside the signatures.

Use a glue gun to attach the signatures
to the leather cover.

Write prayers inside the little book.

Put velcro on the doll's hands
so that she can hold the Book of Prayers.

 

Paint a design on the hem of her skirt.

And here she is!

Holding on tight to my prayers!