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xXSleepieXx — String Doll Tutorial
Published: 2010-08-08 04:49:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 97863; Favourites: 1035; Downloads: 2439
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Edit 7/26/12: AT LONG LAST A VIDEO!: [link]Edit 7/11/11:STRING DOLL BASE for those of you who do not know how to get the pattern even. [link]
Edit 2/18/11: STEP 4: CLARIFICATION 2.0 [for those who still don't get it][link]
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Ever wanted a string doll but thought they were too expensive???
I did...
The one I actually bought was like $10 dollars....and me being stubborn and hating spending that much because I don't get much allowance decided that I'd make my own, and hey I found an instruction page.
....and it's not very clear, a bit confusing--> [link]
Well actually I was okay...except on step 4...IT KEPT COMING LOOSE!
Edit: As a brilliant alternative to pins you can use toothpicks! Idea courtesy of
So I did it, I created this tutorial out of sheer boredom, because I haven't made one in awhile, and decided to.
That and....I haven't seen very well explained instructions on how to make these guys on the the internet. 
If you people don't know what string dolls are...THEY'RE MAGICAL
No seriously, supposedly they are, each one of them has a magic power...or at least that's that it says here: [link] The site listed above can be used to look at so that you can try and make your own version of their products, if you wish to buy from the site, it's fine by me
Anyways, I've made four of these guys so far, and none of them look perfect, the first one looked like a deformed caveman. keep practicing and the better it will get.
Just so you can see ones that I actually bought that were hand-made in Thailand: (hence the title of the tut) [link]
If you have any questions please ask! I'm here to help.
(Also if the head strings seems loose, just dab some glue on the strings to hold them in place
)----
Edit: Also if anyone makes these or uses my tutorial please post a link, I want to see.
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Comments: 328
well alright, I hope it works out.
lemme know if you have trouble with it
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i did it, but i only had sowing string, he turned out a little funny because of this, going to get some wool/yarn tomorrow to try it with = ]
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Made it!
[link]
Thanks for writing this, very helpful, though I still don't understand step 4 so I did it my way
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It still came out good!
Yeah I totally need to fix step 4 in the tutorial....my bad
Well anyways, however you did it it worked out for you, I'm glad.
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I tried the clarification but it didn't help... Maybe that's because my English is not so perfect 
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I will DEFINITELY be attempting this sometime soon.... lol
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Thanks, show me when your done
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YOU ARE SHEER BRILLIANCE! THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS!!
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IT TOOK FOREVER!!!!!!! But I did it ;D [link]
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I tried using pushpins >.< epic failure
anyways, any suggestions as far as materials go??
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Ah pushpins 
Materials...
Cardboard and/or foam board...
Yarn...like crochet yarn or hemp string. I really haven't tried hemp..I dunno if its too sturdy or not.
Your reguler elmers glue will be enough to hold.
As for accesories you can use wire to coil a pair of glasses or felt/fabric to make clothes.
Beads don't have to be perfectly sphere-ish, as I used those small beads that are shaped like the letter "O" but turned them sideways so that the hole doesn't show.
Just be creative and have fun
Hoped that helped
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Lol we will see! i tried making another kind of doll out of some string (from my sis dun ask >.>) to see if i could do it. it came out pretty bad, and then i found this.... if it works, i might have a new obbsession. XD
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They take a bit of time but they get easier as you make them.
if you have any more questions feel free to ask
Enjoy
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Actually, ya. how do you give them hair and a mouth?
I dun want him to be a bald mute, thank-you-very-much.
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For a mouth I've seen people either sew them on with black thread or glue a piece of felt in the shape of lips.
Hair...I think is a matter of having folded stands in the middle of the head area. Like sew part of the yarn into the hair....here's a pic: [link]
See how the hair meeds in the middle of the head? You can sew them or glue them on. (by the way the picture...not mine
I should make a tutorial explaining more of the accessories on these guys.
...lol bald mute.
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Lol totally! and if i think of any ideas, ill be sure to tell you for experimental/tutorial purposes.
I can be very creative!!
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alright
Note me when you get something
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I can't get past step four? I do not get what I am supposed to do D: I have went over it again and again I just don't understand, and the link didn't doad all the picure and refuses to work for me. Please if you could explain I would appreciate it! Especially how I am supposed to use both of the strings to tie it. I can feel my insanity slipping 
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Made a clarification it just for you.
Sorry I knew that part was going to get a bit confusing.
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Wow great job! It's fun to see how other people make their voodoo dolls, this technique is completly different from mine but inspiring none the less. I'll give it a go to see how I did. Thanks a lot for uploading this into my Popke/Voodoo doll group.
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No problem
Yes, I've heard other people use pipecleaners or wires, but it didn't really work for me.
That and one of my string dolls I got from a slot machine started to fall apart....turns out there's no wire to the authentic ones, only string and a bit of glue.
They weren't kidding when they said "made from one single strand of string"
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Haha indeed, there are several ways to make them and indeed not all are as effective
I also have one that came out of the slot machine but it starts to fall apart too, the wires are loose already and the head is about to fall off...
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The ones I have gotten out of the slot machine have no wires.
Luckily every friday I go over to the smothie place where they have them. I have about 7 slot-machine string dolls now..
If you want a link to how the wired ones came out from this other person [link]
actually the designs aren't half bad...I am still kinda wondering what kinda string the real guys are made of though..
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Oh I tried that technique too but it didn't really work... but thanks for that website anyway, its always fun to see other creations. I haven't figured out how the real ones are made yet...
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I bought a real one, I has no wires...but geez it was expensive!
I guess it's kinda similiar to the way I do it...still I don't know how they get the head so dang pefect.
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That is indeed a mystery! I also bought an original one and that was expensive yes! I also see the ones with bigger heads, I have a Pirate one of that type. I'll just keep them safe and not use them as keychains since they tend to ruin quickly...
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awesome tutorial, definatly giving it ago!
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thanks! just finished making one, but i made his head too loose, and its just come undone D: haha ah well, i must practice!
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try some glue
dab just a bit on the head strings....before it comes off, lol
This happens to me too. glue will usually do the trick.
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no problem
Have fun making them.
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I used this. They didn't turn out exactly like yours though. But I love them.
[link]
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Well I really like how you decorated them.
I'm too lazy to try and make decorations
Yours are colorful 
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It was really fun doing the hair.
Thanks.
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Wow, absolutely killer help here ^^ I've been a little short on cash recently and noticed how people go ape shit for these things. Not to mention they're just adorable :3 And until now, I couldn't find a single easy-to-follow instructional on how to make them.
thank you very HARD!!!
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oh no problem
Yeah, they do go crazy over these guys. 
Why waste $11 dollars on something you can make on your own for $7?
You're welcome 
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omg 
Love the outfit.
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The hardest part to made was head and dress 
But THANKS FOR TUTORIAL! 
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Ah yes, no problem.
They say they are imported from Thailand, maybe that's why they are expensive.
If the strings on the head starts to fall off, put a little bit a glue on it.
and you are welcome
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[it's me again, sorry
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No it's okay
Yeah fingers do work too,
That's another way to make the doll
Whichever is easier for you, go for it
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