How to Make a Homemade African Doll

Homemade African Dolls

• 1

  Place the polystyrene ball inside the brown sock, all the way to the toe end of the sock. Shape the sock fabric around the ball. The rest of the sock should be filled with stuffing to form the body, up to 8 inches high. Add stuffing to the base shape to taper the fabric inward from base to the neck. The base seam is hand-stitched along the edge of the base and then tied off.

• 2

  Wrap new thread tightly around the base of the ball three times to form the neck. Secure by sewing a knot into the sock at the neck.

• 3

  From the open end of the sock, cut vertically, lengthwise up the center of the sock approximately 3 1/2 inches, then cut across the top, according to HGTV.com. The two long pieces will form the arms. Using the cut fabric, arms are made by stuffing the pieces of fabric and sewing the fabric at each end. Arms are attached at each side of the base, right below the neck.

• 4

  Add facial features to the doll by using fabric paint or by sewing knots into the sock to form facial features. Use black fabric paint or thread for eyes, forming an almond shape. Use brown fabric paint or thread for the nose, in the shape of a raised knot. Lips are applied with red fabric paint to create a full mouth resembling that of a person of African descent. It takes 24 hours for paint to dry into the fabric.

• 5

  Cut 30 to 40 pieces of black yarn, each 6 inches long, folding each in half. Using black thread, sew each strip into the top of the head around the hairline. Strips should be sewn close together to create an even head of hair and conceal the sock underneath. More or less thread can be used, however the end result should resemble a ponytail after the hair is gathered together in a ribbon. If hair is too long, trim to the desired length.

• 6

  Dress the doll in African printed fabric. A 7-inch by 5-inch strip of fabric is used as an underskirt. Other pieces of fabric should be cut in proportion to the doll's length from neck to bottom to form a dress. Pieces of fabric should be cut to create sleeves. Fabric glue is used to secure the fabric onto the doll, no sewing is required. Secure all rough edges by folding the fabric over and gluing in place. A head wrap can be added to the head for added flair.

• 7

  Wrap gold thread around the neck and the wrists and cut and tie in a knot to create a necklace and bracelet. Cut off any excess fabric and add the knot to secure it in place. Bracelets can be further secured by sewing the gold thread into the fabric of the arm.