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The Dowel Doll
A dowel is a wooden rod or stick made especially for cutting up into dowel pins for the construction of joints. Dowels are commercially supplied in sizes ranging from one-eighth of an inch to two inches in diameter. The body, head and neck of the doll are made from a single piece of one and one-fourth-inch dowel ; the legs are sections of a, three-fourths-inch dowel and the arms of half-inch dowels.
A discarded curtain pole makes an excellent substitute for the one and one-quarter-inch dowel. It may be sawed into lengths for the body of the doll. Similar dowels for the legs and arms can be obtained at hardware stores.
The key to the anatomical mysteries of the Dowel Doll lies in ability to perform successfully a few of the simplest of tool operations. A saw, a hammer, a half round file, a round or rat tail file, a small plane, and some one inch, fiat-head brads must be on hand, in addition to the dowels required. A bench vise is almost a necessity for holding the dowels firmly in place, during the operation of sawing.
Fig. 1 shows the Dowel Doll complete, dressed in a simple costume of white barred muslin, with decorations or stitchery. The shoes are cut from cardboard or thin wood from cigar boxes, and painted black. They are glued or nailed to the ends of the legs. The face, hair and stockings have been appropriately painted. The parasol is woven from mercerized embroidery cotton. On her wrist the doll carries a paper knitting bag, which bears the symbol of the Red Cross.
She can stand on her own feet, she can assume and sustain a sitting position, she can extend one or both arms and she can put one foot before the other. She cannot turn her head, nor open and shut her eyes, but she has many points of advantage over other dolls offered for sale in the shops. She is practically indestructible, for should she be so unfortunate as to lose an arm or leg. the member could easily be replaced.
Fig. 2 gives the dimensions of the dowel for the body. Fig. 3 shows the measurements of the dowels for the legs, and Fig. 4 those for the arms. Figs. 5 and 6 show the kinds of files that are used.
The first tool operation is illustrated in Fig. 7—the filing of a groove for the neck. This groove is one and one-quarter inches from the end of the large dowel, and may be as beautifully modeled as the skill of the worker will permit. There is no hard and fast rule about the width or the depth of this groove.
Figs. 8 and 9 show the process of sawing half of the three-fourths-inch dowel to the depth of one inch, in order to form a joint that can be nailed to the body.
In Fig. 10 the half round file is shown in position for shaping the top of the head. The cap or bonnet worn by the doll will cover all deficiencies. Fig. 11 shows two tool operations : one end of the half -inch dowel has been planed to form the shoulder-joint, and the other end has been modeled with the rat-tail file to form a hand or wrist.
Fig. 12 shows the parts of the body assembled—arms and legs nailed in place with brads, so that they articulate freely yet are firmly joined. Figs. 13 and 14 show the shaping of the shoes and the method of attachment to the leg.
When all the parts are nailed together, the whole doll is given a coat of white oil paint. When this is dry, a coat of flesh colored enamel paint is applied, with such accessories as hair, features, stockings and shoes rendered in appropriate colars, as shown in Fig. 15. Dressing the doll is a delight to all girls. Patterns for bloomers and a slip-on dress should be drawn on paper first. Fig. 16 gives the plan and the dimensions for the pattern of the bloomers, and Fig. 17 shows a method of rounding the corners of the paper pattern. Fig. 18 shows the bloomers cut from muslin or cotton crepe, with openings for the legs buttonholed and the hem run in for the draw string. Fig. 19 shows the garment drawn into shape. The pattern for the doll's slip-on dress is very simple. Fig. 20 shows how to cut it from a piece of eight-inch by fourteen-inch paper. When the dress is cut from cloth, the edges are hemmed and a decorative stitch, such as a long running stitch, a blanket stitch or a cross stitch is used for trimming.
Figs. 21,22 and 23 give the pattern and the processes of cutting, making and finishing a hood or bonnet, which is usually made from the same material as the dress, decorated with the same style of stitchery. The making of the doll's parasol is illustrated in Figs. 24 to 26. A section of a cork three-fourths of an inch in diameter is used as a center. Into this are inserted eight round toothpicks, at equal distances from each other. The toothpicks for the ribs upon which is woven mercerized cotton " woof," in colors that harmonize with the decorative stitching on the bonnet and dress.
Figs. 24 and 25 show the construction of the frame and the process of weaving. Fig. 26 shows the insertion of a short hairpin or a flower pin into the center of the under side of the cork. The ends of the toothpicks, the cork center and the hatpin should be painted black.
Figs. 27, 28 and 30 show four other costumes in which these Dowel Dolls have been dressed.
Fig. 27, " Flossie " appears in a dress of ruffled net, all ready for a garden party. Her picture-hat is made of the same material and is trimmed with a wreath of rosebuds. Her sash is pink.
Fig. 28, " Nancy " has a fascinating cap and sweater of emerald green wool, crochetted especially for her use. The dress is of white flannel. Nancy is suitably dressed for any kind of out-door sport.
Fig. 30, " Anne " suggests a visiting costume of black plush or velvet, with scarf and vest of Tartan plaid. These bright colors are repeated in the hat, which also sports a tiny feather. Truly, Anne presents a dignified and elegant appearance. Who would suspect that she is only a wooden doll?
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