Tutorial: An ATC Doll

Debra will be hosting an ATC Doll swap for our group and was kind enough to put together this simple tutorial for the project...

I always start by choosing a theme & since it was raining every day the week I started - I wished there were a little sun. So I decided on something “sunny”. I collected my yellow/orange bits/pieces, pictures/papers & then decided on a face. Try a copyright free web image, photo from a book/magazine, or a rubber stamp. I glued the face on card stock.

Everything needs to be sturdy, so I painted & stamped card stock for the arms & legs. I chose to go abstract/patterned rather than realistic, but either one is fine. Next, I cut out the doll’s head, and embellished it.  

While my paint dried, I worked on the ATC base; deciding how to decorate & finish it.  

I traced pattern pieces for the arms / legs & cut them out. Then I laid all the parts in position, with a cutting mat beneath.  Using the tip of a hobby knife (or thick needle), I punched holes where the brads will go; then attached the parts. 

I finished the back with patterned paper, then trimmed the prongs on the arms/legs (some brads have long prongs that stick out beyond the body parts).  Don’t forget your name & details.

Please place your doll in some plastic protection. Maybe stretch the doll out - with heavy paper around it & send in a business envelope.  You could also fold it up into a card sleeve and send it in a small bubble envelope. Have fun!