This year for the Valentine exchange at work I made sweet little clothespin dolls with flower petal skirts and wool felt caps and jackets.
I started by drilling holes through the clothespins. First I marked them with a Sharpie, then I started the holes with an awl, and finished them with a cordless drill.
Next I gathered my supplies; scraps of wool felt and satiny lining fabrics, fimo clay and wire.
Using a 5" piece of wire, I threaded it through the hole in the clothespin and made loops on both ends.
I made a head and hands for each doll out of the clay.
I lined the dolls up on a cookie sheet and baked them according to the instructions on the clay's package, about 30 minutes.
Next I cut circles out of lightweight lining fabrics. This only works on synthetic fibers, so no silk or cotton. Using tweezers, hold the fabric circle about 2" above a tealight's flame until the edges begin to curl. Continue until the entire circle's edge is curled. It takes 6-8 1½" circles per doll.
Using the felt, I cut hats to match the petals and jackets to coordinate.
I glued the petals around the clothespin to make a skirt, and some lace around the neck to make a collar. Next I glued the jacket around the body and arms.
A piece of velvet ribbon made a belt, and some brown cotton lace (or yellow rickrack) made cute short hair. I put the little felt cap on and my dolly was done.
I think the look pretty cute when they were finished.
They also look adorable with nylon butterfly wings to make them into fairies.
Everyone at work enjoyed their little dolls, and it was a lovely Valentine's Day!
.jpg)
