
Hide The Seams
Here’s a great tip to take your cloth doll to the next level: make it into a mixed media sculpture by filling in the seams with Paperclay.
MATERIALS NEEDED
1) Assembled Cloth Body
2) Paperclay
3) Water
4) Stiff Paintbrush
5) Fabric Glue
6) Gesso
7) Paint (skin color)
8) Fine sandpaper
TECHNIQUE
1) Apply fabric glue to the area that you want to fill with Paperclay.
For example, where the arms/legs are attached to the torso or any needle sculpted areas where you want to hide puckering and stitches. The glue makes the Paperclay stick. Otherwise, it can fall off.
2) Shape the Paperclay between your fingers and put it into the area you are filling. You’ll want to add Paperclay wherever you have an asymmetrical imperfection or where something doesn’t look quite right. For me, this is particularly helpful on the feet.
3) Dip your brush into the water and go over the Paperclay until it is nice and smooth. Allow to dry.
4) Paint the doll with at least 2 layers of gesso, sanding in between.
5) Paint the doll with acrylic paint.
6) If desired, seal with gloss or matte varnish. This doll has no varnish. A bit of mica powder (Pearl-EX) was sprinkled into the paint to give it a moondust look.
Hint: You can try this technique on the doll’s head. If your needle sculpting is wanting, or you want to define the nose or raise the cheekbones, go for it. You’ll be glad you did!
The body used in this post is made from the Tikvah pattern, and the completed doll is Elsie.
This short tutorial was edited with the original photos intact. The doll is not available for photo retakes, but the post is nostalgic.
Anonymous
Hi! I am a veteran sewer, but new to doll making. I would love it if you did an article on adding paper clay to faces….
Rivkah
That is a great idea! I have several things on my plate at the moment, namely two upcoming classes and a pattern that I have to finish writing. I will have to create a new doll and make pictures, which I have to make some time for. I'll do that! In the meantime, I do have a lovely pattern that uses a clay-over-cloth AND THEN stretch fabric over the face. If you are interested in this pattern, the name is "NIAMH" and she can be found in my Etsy doll shop 😉
Thanks for the great idea!
~Rivkah
Ayala Art
Rivkah I love your blog! This is awesome!
Abi
Ooh, just the tutorial I needed! Thanks!
Rivkah
Thanks you guys! I am so happy that this was helpful! I will try to come up with a clay over cloth face technique in the future… plenty of open projects at the moment you know what I mean LOL
JKW
Thank you for the tutorial. I am looking forward to trying it. I just ordered my Pimatex. . it dyes quite well. I had ordered it before, but this time it came totally wrinkled. I am hoping they aren't permanent. Have you made a tutorial on eyelids? I am seeing more and more now (in the Prims). Again, thank you. I love giving my dolls new looks. I have even done surgery on cataracts (glass eyes) with success 🙂 I am glad I found you on face book. Now I will follow. Blessings, Janet
kimberly
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
katty
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.