Learn how to attach a round 3d doll head, following up with our last tutorial, How to Make A Round 3D Doll Head. When making country primitive dolls, they are commonly made with a 2d head. They have a front for the face and back that usually has hair. And, on a 2d doll the head is already attached to the neck and body. However, a round 3d doll head is made separate from the neck and body. Here I’m going to show you the steps to attaching the doll’s head to the neck and body.
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Steps to Attach a Round 3D Doll Head
Okay so here’s what my head and body/neck area look like now they are all stuffed and ready to put together:
Preparing the Head
1. First thing, I make sure the extra flaps from the head are all tucked inside – I wet my fingers and smooth the edges together, almost finger pressing and flattening them together.
2. For this to work, I make sure the neck part is stuffed very firmly; as firm as you can get it. Sometimes if the neck is skinny, I will also put a dowel up there too, it must be firm to work!
3. I use my fingers and create a small ‘funnel’ through the stuffing in the opening of the head:
Stitching on the Head
4. I get a needle threaded. However, I don’t use sewing thread. Instead, I use crochet thread, heavier cotton type.The body is turned upside down and then slip the neck part inside the opening; push it up as far as you want (as much neck as you want to show). I work the first couple of stitches with the body just as shown – use your needle work a whip-stitch going through the neck and the head.
5. Continuing around the head, I take tiny stitches, grabbing both the neck and head as I go. After the first few stitches are in, I move the doll to my lap, so I can hold the head in place and get my stitches going. And if needed, go around the head twice, just make sure it feels secure. When I’m done, I knot the thread off and ‘hide’ it by popping the knot through the material.
6. All done – this is how it’ll look:
The key to learning and getting good at this technique is not hurry yourself. Take your time making careful stitches. And, give yourself patience while you get accustomed to holding the 3d doll head and needle while stitching. The times you practice the easier it gets and the better your finished doll will look.
Tutorial submitted by Cindy Homespun from the Heart