How to make an angel doll with beaded fringe gown.
These directions make a 1-foot tall angel that hangs on a suction cup hook attached to any glass or mirrored surface.
She could also be hung elsewhere, for example from a chandelier or on a nail over a doorway. Smaller versions would make beautiful Christmas ornaments for the tree.
Fringed Angel Doll Materials
Ceramic doll head with arms (Example is a 3 head from top to bottom.)
2 2 pipe cleaners any color
2 Strips of thin batting: 1 5 x 1½ & 1 3x 1½
Rayon chainette fringe - approximately 20 long (Example shows one color in 6
depth and the other is 9 in depth.)
Scraps of matching or coordinating ribbon, decorative trims, lace or fabric
Feather wings
Suction cup with a hook attached
Aleenes Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Aleenes Clear Gel Tacky Glue
Fray Check by Dritz
Ό diameter dowel x 4 in length
Scissors
How to Make the Angel
1. Wind 2 pipe cleaners around each other to make them stronger.
Bend the pipe cleaners in the middle and push this section into the head cavity bending the arms out to the sides.
This will give you an idea of the area to be wrapped with the batting.
2. Take the 3x1 ½ strip of batting and glue (using Quick Dry Tacky glue) around the bent middle of the pipe cleaners.
When slightly dry, glue (using Clear Gel Tacky) this area inside the head cavity pushing it all the way up inside the head.
Set this aside to dry.
3. The 4xΌ dowel will hold the fringe for the dress. Lay out the length of fringe to be use and place a line of glue (Quick Dry Tacky) along the top of the fringe.
Note: A large head such as the example will take approximately a 20 length of fringe.
In this example I am using two different colors and depth of fringe; one is a 6 fringe and the other is a 9 fringe for a different effect, gluing them together first.
Since there are two layers of fringe in this example, it will be thicker around the dowel and therefore needing less fringe. You will now wind the fringe in an upward spiral from about Ύ from the bottom of the dowel slightly overlapping fringe top as you go.
End with 2 of dowel left for insertion into the head cavity. Set this aside to dry for several hours.
4. Bend excess pipe cleaner for the arms up towards the upper arms. Leave just enough for the upper arms after placing the hand sections on the end of the bent pipe cleaners.
For this example I left approximately 1 ½ of upper arm area after gluing (Clear Gel Tacky) on the hands. Let this dry.
5. Beaded fringe can now be added to the dress section. Refer to the Beaded Fringe for Doll Clothes tutorial mentioned in the materials list if doing your own beaded fringe or use purchased beaded fringe in a depth that appeals to you.
You will need enough beaded fringe to go around the upper dress once. Usually this will be about 3 ½. The example shows doing my own fringe in coordinating colors.
Note: The dress now has three layers: two overlapping layers of chainette fringe in coordinating colors and one layer of beaded fringe.
This gives the effect of a 9 gown with a 6 second layer over it and a strip of beads hanging partway down from the bodice.
6. Take other strip of batting and wrap upper arm area 1 ½ times. Cut and glue (Quick Dry Tacky) in place. Use remaining half of batting on the other arm.
This will give body to the upper arms.
7. After all parts have dried, place a large amount of glue (Clear Gel Tacky) in the head cavity.
Now insert the remaining exposed dowel with the fringe as far as you can into the head being careful not to push too hard as to break the bisque head.
8. For this example I am using a scrap piece of wide satin ribbon for the sleeves and bodice.
Cut 2 pieces the length of the arms or shorter if desired plus ½ for the hem and approximately 1 ½ to 4 times the circumference of the upper arm area for gathering.
9. Hem bottom of sleeve with a narrow hem. At this time a trim can be added as I have done in the example stitching it on when doing the hem.
10. With right sides together stitch the underarm seam.
Turn right side out and finger press the seam.
11. Hand stitch a small running stitch along the top of the sleeve for gathering. Leave the needle attached for gathering and securing later. Now thread another needle and do a similar running stitch along the bottom of the sleeve.
12. Place the sleeve on one arm making sure the seam stays facing down.
Pull the upper thread until very tight around arm. Hold in place while you run a tacking stitch and knot. Do a couple knots to secure.
Now gather the bottom in the same way. Repeat for the other sleeve.
13. The bodice is done with bits of lace, ribbon, small appliquιs or fabric. Cut small pieces and glue (Quick Dry Tacky) to cover bodice.
Example shows satin ribbon underneath an ornate trim. Make sure to cover the upper gathering of the sleeves as shown below.
14. Glue (Clear Gel Tacky) a small piece of cording or very narrow ribbon to the head for hanging.
After this has dried completely, using the same glue, run a decorative trim around the head like a hair band making sure the cord ends are covered by the trim.
15. Glue (Clear Gel Tacky) the wings of appropriate size to the back. Let dry for 24 to 48 hours before hanging with a suction cup containing a hook. Hang from any glass or mirrored surface and out of direct sunlight.
Christmas Angel Resources
Heads - wwwwingsofangels.com; wwwmangelsens2.com (go to the bottom of the home page and click on Berenice Crafts)
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