Dolls and crafts made from pipe cleaners have been around for a very long time. Last year, I came across a tutorial from Pyrex Girl on TikTok showing how to make vintage-style pipe cleaner (chenille stem) dolls for Christmas and I set about to make three of them.
I kept one for myself and gave the other two to Harris Sisters Deanna and Misty.
These were fun crafts to make and if you're the crafty sort, you can to make them too! They blend in seamlessly with other vintage Christmas decor.
The directions written below are step-by-step guidelines to follow to create these dolls, but if you are a visual learner, I would encourage you to watch the Pyrex Girl tutorial.
Supplies You'll Need to Make Vintage Christmas Chenille Stem Dolls
Pipe Cleaners or Chenille Stems in Colors of Choice
Scissors or Wire Cutters
Hot Glue and Glue Gun
Cardboard/Paper Cone in Desired Height
Doll Head
Other Decorative Items like Pom-Poms, Sequins, Beads, etc. (optional)
- Fold each chenille stem in half and cut with scissors or wire cutters.
- Fold each half chenille stem piece in half and cut with scissors or wire cutters. (Each chenille stem should produce 4 chenille stem pieces.)
- Fold the four chenille stem pieces in half and set aside.
- Repeat the first three steps until you have a supply of folded chenille stem pieces, then hot glue each folded piece in a row at the bottom of the cardboard cone, so that the u-shape overhangs the bottom by about half. Repeat gluing each folded piece until the row is complete. (Note: For each row, you will be gluing the open end and the bent, U-shaped end will always be toward the bottom.)
- Next, glue the next row so that the u-shape of that row overlaps the previously glued row by about half.
- Continue gluing rows until you get to the top of the cone.
- When finished gluing all rows, turn up all chenille pieces so that all U-shaped pieces stick out 90 degrees and form an L-shape when the cone is sitting on a flat surface.
- If necessary or desired, wrap the doll head with a chenille stem to create a hat or ear muffs. Use glue to secure.
- Glue the doll head to the top of the cone.
- Create arms by twisting chenille stems together and a wrapping them around the neck area. Glue if necessary to secure.
- Cover the area where the doll head meets the cone with another chenille stem and glue. Use your own design skills here to create a scarf, a flower, or whatever you think looks best!
- If desired, decorate the doll with additional craft items like pom-poms, sequins, beads, etc.
- Don't forget to sign and date the doll inside the cone.
Notes:
- Repurpose an Elf on the Shelf (sometimes these will show up at thrift stores)
- Other elf ornaments
- If you want more realistic faces, consider Barbie dolls (these are also found at thrift stores)
- If you plan on making a large amount of these or want to share with friends doing the same craft, you can get a set of 12 elf heads for crafting
- If you have any artistic abilities, you can paint a face on a large wooden bead and use that for the head
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