Yule Goddess Dolls

Yule Goddess Doll

Items needed:

newspaper

unbleached muslin (1 yard)

sisal rope

white glue

florist wire

small egg-shaped Styrofoam ball

trim

Directions:

1.Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise.

2.Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of

the folded roll to form the body and legs. It may be helpful to stuff

the legs into a large bottle while you work.

3.Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends

together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and

bend the wires close together. This will be the arms and hands

4.Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into

the wide end of the Styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball,

twisting them together to hold it securely. With the remaining wire,

secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the head.

5.Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop itself,

to help it remain secure.

6.Mix the glue with an equal part of water to form a solution that

the material will be dipped in and used to hold the fabric to the

doll and stiffen the fabric to desired shape.

7.From the muslin, rip several 1/4- 1/2 inch strips of fabric, run

them through the glue solution. The material should be saturated, but

not dripping. Wrap the hands and arms wire with the material,

covering the wire completely. It may take several applications of

material. Tuck the ends into the material already wrapped.

8.Repeating the same dipping process, cover the head first with

h orizontal wraps and then with vertical. Wrap the body of the doll

crossing over from the front to the back in an "X" shape. Wrap the

neck wire and secure the ends of the strips

9.For the skirt: Rip a 12 inch by 20 inch piece of material, sew the

12 inch ends together if desired, and dip the material into the

solution. Pull up over the legs, gather the waist and secure to the

paper using a 1/2 strip acting as a belt.

10.Make the apron - rip a 2 inch wide strip that is wide enough to

fit over the top of the skirt, and cut the front bottom edge into a

curve if desired. Secure the apron with a piece of trim.

11.Rip a 1 inch piece of material approximately 8 inches long, dip,

and drape around the neck.

12.Rip a 3 inch wide piece of material approximately 16 inches long

and drape around back and over arms.

13.Arrange the skirt into desired folds and allow doll to dry.

14.After the doll has dried, cut the rope into 12 12-inch sections

and fold in half - this will be the part of the hair. Sew the ropes

at the fold down the center of the head. Unravel the rope.

15.You can garnish the White Goddess with a wreath of dried flowers

if you like - take a vine and wrap it on itself until you have a

wreath. Insert dried flowers into the wreath and place on the head.

16.She can be left in the bottle for year-round use, or placed on top

of the tree at Yule.