Country dolls are in many cases family heirlooms. Country dolls or dolls that were made many years ago when the country was a lot younger, have a character and a history to them that many people value highly. Some country dolls in good condition sell for a lot of money at auction. While you cannot go back in time to retrieve more of your own country dolls from long ago, there are many different options available to you when it comes to making your own country dolls. You can make sure that your children have country dolls that they can appreciate for many years to come.
Handmade country dolls are usually either the traditional child-like figure of a child or an animal such as a bear. Country dolls play an important role in the creation of other country crafts. For example, country dolls can be used to decorate a home or Christmas tree or to complete a look by adding the softness and whimsy that comes with a one-of-a-kind doll.
You can make your dolls out of a number of different materials. The look and feel of the doll will differ depending on the material that is used. For example, you can use rough burlap to make a stuffed bear that looks much older than it really is. On the other hand, you can use a faux fir material and make a stuffed bear that still reflects the country style but that has a very different physical and emotional feel to it. Calico is actually a fabric that many people use when trying to achieve the country feel in the dolls that they make. Dressing your dolls is also going to contribute to the overall country feel of the doll. You can put a pair of overalls on your doll, braid their hair, give then a hat, etc. The clothing that your doll has will say a lot about the time period and design that you are trying to achieve. Simple clothing patterns and loose stuffing will add to the aged feel that country crafts often have.
Another good idea that you may choose to implement when looking for a material for your stuffed dolls, is to use an old article of clothing or blanket from a grandparent or great grandparent. By using older clothing you not only enhance the country feel of that item, but you can also create a meaningful doll that can remind you of that loved one every time that you see the doll.
Other embellishments can also be used. Buttons for the eyes, an old pair of baby booties make great shoes that also carry with them some sentimental significance. You can include a personal message to the individual that you are making a doll for in the stuffing of that doll. In many ways, it is like giving a time capsule when you include a secret message for a loved one. There are dozens more ideas for how you can put your own unique mark on the dolls that you create.
You will often see dolls sitting up on shelves or bears placed in chairs to enhance a specific area. Country crafts make great home decor accessories for yourself or gifts for others to use in the decoration of their homes. Dolls are the perfect craft for children too. Not only do children like to play with dolls, but they also enjoy making things and seeing how their hard work can pay off in a homemade country doll project that they can be proud of. Puppet making can be another good idea for something that kids can do to create their own country crafts.