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How to Make a Cloth Doll Wig

Cloth dolls are among the most charming and lovable in the doll world. They can be plain, homemade toys that began their lives as a simple tube socks or they can be beautifully sculpted works of art. Regardless of its origin, the typical cloth doll needs a good wig to complete its look. According to Doll Making Secrets, yarn has long been a popular choice for cloth doll wigs.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Cardboard
Yarn
Scissors
Fabric remnant
Needle
Thread
Sewing machine (optional)
Craft or white glue

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length for the cloth doll's hair. Place the end of your measuring tape where the center part will be, just above the doll’s forehead. Run the measuring tape to the desired ends of the hair. Double that number and record the measurement.
- 2
  Cut a rectangular cardboard template of this length.
- 3
  Wrap yarn around the length of the cardboard template, starting and finishing at opposite ends. Wrap approximately 50 strands to make a wig for a cloth doll 12 inches tall and 25 strands for a smaller doll.
- 4
  Cut two small pieces of yarn, approximately 5 inches long. Slip each piece under the yarn at each end of the cardboard template and tie all the strands together. Tying the ends of the yarn bundle together will help control the yarn as you remove it from the template and attach it to the cloth doll's head
- 5
  Slip the yarn carefully from the cardboard template.
- 6
  Cut a third piece of yarn approximately 5 inches long and tie the yarn bundle in the middle. This marks where you will part the wig's “hair” and attach it to the head.
- 7
  Place the measuring tape at the top of the cloth doll's forehead. Measure to the back of the head where the hairline would naturally fall above the neck. This is the center part measurement.
- 8
  Cut a fabric strip 2 inches wide and as long as the center part measurement. Use a remnant from the fabric with which you made the cloth doll's body, or use fabric in a color that matches the yarn.
- 9
  Lay the fabric strip flat on a work surface and place the center of the yarn bundle across the fabric strip.
- 10
  Untie the center of the yarn bundle and place the yarn strands evenly along the fabric strip.
- 11
  Sew each strand of yarn to the fabric strip with a simple straight stitch, either by hand or with a sewing machine.
- 12
  Tack the yarn wig in place along the center part line on the cloth doll's head using small, hand-sewn stitches. Alternatively, squeeze a thin line of white or craft glue to the back of the fabric strip and press the wig in place. Allow the glue to dry completely before styling the yarn wig.
- 13
  Untie the pieces of yarn holding the ends of the wig and snip the end loops with scissors. Smooth and straighten the yarn wig strands and trim any uneven strands.

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