Roy decided that this week, it was time to take a break from cooking and try something different. We thought about different games to teach you, or toys to make. Roy wanted to do a craft using Autumn leaves, but there aren't any on the trees this early in the season. So instead, we decided to make handkerchief dolls. Handkerchiefs are something which most of us carry as the weather gets cooler, but not many people realise that they are also traditionally used to make a specific type of doll. I was given a very elaborate one as a child by my Mum to play with in the car on long trips and Roy loves her almost as much as I do, so I decided to show him how to make his own. Of course, he wanted to share the instructions with you too! Boys can make their own versions - they make good ghosts!
Hankie or handkerchief dolls are also often called Church or Prayer dolls. This is because in the past these simple dolls were often made to keep little girls quiet and happy during Church. Often, they would be made by the little girl out of one of her own or her fathers handkerchiefs, though sometimes more elaborate ones were made by mothers and grandmothers and given to the little girl at her Christening. The beauty of these dolls, and what made them perfect for Church is that when they are dropped, they are entirely soft and make no sound at all!
Handkerchief Dolls
You Will Need:
- 1 hankie (handkerchief). You can use men's or women's hankies, or cut your own out of calico or other material
- 3 cotton balls or a bit of wadding
- A piece of ribbon.
- Optional: a second piece of ribbon and paint, glue and sequins to decorate
Method:
- Ball the cotton wool together and place in the middle top of the hankie
- Fold the hankie over the top of the cotton wool and then bring the sides in to make a head
- Using a double knot, tie the ribbon around the neck. A friend might need to help
- Pull the top right and left corners up towards the head. These are your arms. Tie a knot in the corners to make hands. You will also be able to put your thumb and little finger in behind these knots to make your doll move.
- If you like you can tie a piece of ribbon under the dolls arms to make a waist.
- You can also decorate your doll with paint and sequins if you like. Roy and I left ours plain, because we were using one of Roy's Grandpa's hankies. Make sure that if you are using somebody else's hankie you ask first and check before you decorate it!
- Arrange the arms and dress so it looks like a doll (or a ghost!) and enjoy!