Sometimes I like to take a break from the larger home improvement or furniture flip projects and do something low-key... "quiet" crafts...

So I created some adorable pipe cleaner dolls!

Read on if you'd like to learn how to make them too.

How to Make Pipe Cleaner Dolls

Aren't they sweet? You can make them for any holiday and they make great ornaments!

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Here's what you'll need to make some of your own.

Supplies Needed

Chenille Bump Pipe Cleaner Stems
Cute Clip Art Faces:

Free to print HERE and HERE
To purchase on Etsy HERE

White Craft Glue (I like Aleene's Tacky Glue)
Scissors
Cupcake Toppers or other things for your dolls to hold
Crepe Paper or Paper Baking Cups to make skirts
Decorating Chalks (optional) for coloring the cheeks and ears if desired
Other embellishments (ribbon, buttons, flowers, etc.)

I have an old hatbox filled with vintage bump chenille stems that I've been collecting for this very purpose! I pick them up whenever I see them at garage sales and thrift stores.

If you'd like to see more of my craft hoard, check out this post: Updated Craft Room Tour.

I printed some cute animal heads that I found on Pinterest. I've linked to these and some others in the supplies listed above.

Below are the steps for making a basic doll.

Step 1 - Make the doll's body.

To make the dolls you'll need to cut two pieces of chenille stem:

one with one bump
one with two bumps

Fold the one with two bumps in half.

Slide the single bump piece between the folded piece, this will become the arms.

Twist the top to form a little loop to glue the head onto.

Twist the bottom to form the legs and hold the arm piece in place.

If your chenille stem is smooshed like mine (often the case if it's vintage), use an old stiff-bristle brush (like a toothbrush) to fluff up the chenille.

If it seems too skinny around the middle where the tummy would be, you can wrap another bump of chenille stem around and twist it in the back to secure it.

Step 2 - Prepare the head.

Print the heads and cut them out. My printer isn't working as well as it should so my printed heads didn't turn out as colorful as I wanted. I used decorating chalks and Q-tips to add some color! If you don't have these regular colored chalk should work or blush from your makeup.

I added a little tan to my kitten and pink inside her ears and on her cheeks.

Step 3 - Add the head and embellish the doll.

Glue the head onto the chenille loop with the craft glue and bend the arms and legs as you wish.

I found a little wooden heart in my supplies and painted it pink.

I glued it to the front of the doll and then added a sticker.

Glue the doll's hands to whatever object you choose so it looks like she's holding it.

Step 4 - Choose how to display.

You can make it into an ornament by adding a hanger made with a silver tinsel pipe cleaner. You can also make it into a lapel pin by adding a pin back.

To make a hanger, wrap the tinsel pipe cleaner around something like a tube of paint to get a nice shape and glue it to the back of your doll.

Here are a couple more of the dolls I made.

For my next little doll, I used one of the bunny heads. I colored it with chalk and added some vintage millinery flowers on her head where the flowers were on the printed version.

The kitten's head was smaller. For these larger heads, I made the chenille bodies larger by using one piece with 3 bumps and one with two. They are assembled the same. For these, I also wrapped a single bump around their middles.

I made a skirt with a crepe paper streamer. Add a long, loose stitch around one edge of the streamer to gather it up. Put it around her waist, pull it tight, and knot it in the back. (TIP: You could also use paper muffin cups to make little dresses if you don't have crepe paper streamers).

She also got a vintage ribbon bow, and a vintage cupcake topper flower to hold. I think I love her!

My next little girl got a blue crepe paper dress.

She looks so happy to be getting her new dress! 😃

A pink bow, vintage flower, and a glittery pink heart finish this one off!

I also experimented with shorts to make a boy doll!

He is holding a Borax crystal heart. There is a tutorial for making snowflakes HERE, I just made mine in the shape of hearts!

Here are some more pictures of the finished dolls.

That little flower this one is holding is actually a candle holder so I put a pearl bead down inside to make the flower complete!

These were so fun to make and embellish.

I made more, they are made with stands instead of hangers. You can see them here: Adorable Pipe Cleaner Dolls - Part II

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, I'd love it if you would share it.

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Comments by Blogger

susanJanuary 21, 2022
Thank you for the tutorial! Now I know how to make the cute little outfits the animals are wearing. These are so cute and fun to make!
AnonymousNovember 27, 2023
I'm late to the game but these are adorbs! As Christmas is approaching I'm going to make them with photos of the grands and some pet faces. The clothing is above and beyond.