For those of you who have made the Wee Folk Dolls, I need help

[Kimmiepie]

I was planning on making these for my dd's birthday, but I'm not doing so well.

I have only attempted the 4inch father, twice and each time the wrapping comes out lumpy and uneven looking and the worst part is that no matter how many times I try to adjust it the legs wind up not being the same length!!! They're the same length when I start and then somehow they become uneven. I'm very frustrated. What am I doing wrong? Any tips?

Thanks!

[jerri]

I've tried starting from the center of the pipecleaner as the neck- kinda reversed the book's directions. That may not be so great though, I'm having trouble getting my arms to be the same length.

[Kimmiepie]

I'll try that!

I wonder what the trick is! It's making me :

[mehndi mama]

Draw out a bending template for yourself - use a ruler to draw out the basic shape you need to bend. Then you can bend your frames by matching up your stems to the lines of the diagram.

There are different ways of doing the larger-size bendie frames, and what works for one person may not work for you. I had to come up with something different after struggling with other people's methods, because I just couldn't get even results.

For smooth wrapping - it takes patience. Wrap slowly, being sure that each wrap rests snugly up against the previous one, with no fuzzies sticking out. Do not overlap your threads - that's what causes lumps! It may be necessary at the toes and hands, to cover the sharp bends properly, but don't overlap at all anywhere else.
If you get fuzzies sticking out, unwrap it and rewrap it more carefully. Eventually, you get a good rhythm and will rarely get fuzzies

[Kimmiepie]

Thank you!! I tried again tonight and did a much better job.....now on to the painting of the faces.

[mamocak]

For wrapping the bodies, I use a wool blend yarn such as wool ease. It really is easier and looks much better and less time consuming than using emb. floss.

[bechappywillow]

wee folk

Originally Posted by Kimmiepie

I was planning on making these for my dd's birthday, but I'm not doing so well.

I have only attempted the 4inch father, twice and each time the wrapping comes out lumpy and uneven looking and the worst part is that no matter how many times I try to adjust it the legs wind up not being the same length!!! They're the same length when I start and then somehow they become uneven. I'm very frustrated. What am I doing wrong? Any tips?

Thanks!

Hi Kim!
I will wrap a bit of roving loosely wrapped around the middle (use super small amounts of pulled roving or it will also be a bit bummpy) and than put the cloths on. It adds a bit of body and helps if you are a little lop sided. You can make a cute belt with a bit of floss if it seems too bulky. The other thing that I do that is a bit different, I use regular cotton thread to sew the cloths. The cotton thread is easier to get through the felt which is a bit thicker than regular fabric.
HTH,
Rebecca

[ravenna206]

Before I start to close the pipe cleaners together to start on the leg 2nd, I always measure to make sure the are even. Same with the hands. I think with twisting the thread around you are slightly stretching the 1st arm or leg because it's so hard to hold onto.