Buzz
Although named a voodoo doll, it is not historically connected to voodoo ceremonies. This doll actually has its roots in European magical rituals. You can use a voodoo doll to cast both beneficial and harmful spells or simply as a gothic-themed decoration. While pre-made voodoo dolls are available for purchase, crafting one yourself is a much better option. It's not only more affordable and enjoyable, but it also allows you to customize the design to your liking.
Steps
Making a Voodoo Doll with Felt Fabric
Draw a template on paper and cut it out. Find a human-shaped template online or draw one yourself. The doll’s template doesn't need to be in human proportions. You can make the doll larger or smaller as you wish, but most voodoo dolls are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
- If you're unsure how to draw, you can use a gingerbread cookie cutter shaped like a person as a guide, just be sure to make the head larger and rounder.
Pin the template onto two pieces of felt fabric using fabric pins. Secure the pins neatly inside the template. If the pins stick out beyond the template, they will get in the way when cutting the fabric. For a smaller template, you can use a single piece of felt. Fold the fabric in half to have two pieces, then pin the template in place.
Cut the felt fabric along the template and remove the pins. There's no need to leave a seam allowance, as you'll be stitching in a different way than you would for regular clothing. Once you've cut out the pieces, remove the pins and set the template aside, as it will no longer be needed.
Sew a button onto one of the felt pieces to create the right eye of the doll. Choose one piece of fabric to be the front and set the other piece aside. Thread a needle with black embroidery floss and attach a white button to the right side of the doll's head. Finish the stitch on the back of the fabric, but don’t cut the thread yet.
Stitch an X for the left eye. Using the same black thread, sew an X shape on the left side of the doll's head to form the second eye. You can make the X larger, smaller, or the same size as the right eye. Finish the stitch on the left side of the fabric. Don't cut the thread just yet.
Stitch a horizontal line for the mouth. The mouth of the doll should be roughly the length of the space between the two eyes, positioned just below the head. Push the needle up through the left side of the fabric, just below the left eye. Pull the thread across to the right, then push the needle down and pull it back to the left. Don’t cut the thread yet.
Sew 4-5 vertical stitches to create the look of the doll's mouth being stitched shut. Sew across the mouth from right to left, with each vertical stitch crossing over the horizontal stitches. Begin and end each vertical stitch just inside the horizontal stitches, making sure they are spaced evenly. Once finished, you can tie a knot and cut the thread.
Sew a red felt heart onto the left side of the doll's chest. Cut a heart shape from red felt and place it on the left side of the fabric, just like a real heart would sit. Thread a needle with black embroidery floss and tie a knot. Push the needle up from the back of the fabric and sew the heart into place. Finish the stitch at the back of the fabric, tie a knot, and cut the thread.
- Use an overcast stitch for a neat finish. Stitch along the edges of the heart as closely as possible to the fabric edge.
- For a more rustic look, use a running stitch. Push the needle up through the heart and down through the fabric, then repeat, continuing around the heart.
Sew the two pieces of felt together, with the back sides facing inward. Thread a needle with black embroidery floss and tie a knot. Begin by stitching through the left armpit. Pull the thread around the edge of the fabric to the back of the doll and stitch through the fabric again, slightly higher than your first stitch. Continue sewing around the doll, finishing at the left hip. Leave an opening along the side and do not cut the thread yet.
- If you want a more intricate look, try using a blanket stitch.
- Remember, you won’t turn the doll inside out, so the patterned side of the fabric should be facing outward.
Stuff the doll. You can use polyester fiberfill, which is available at fabric stores and craft shops. Alternatively, you can use medical cotton, but make sure to fluff it up first to create a lighter, more airy stuffing.
- Use the end of a pencil to stuff the cotton into the doll's arms and legs.
- For an authentic voodoo doll, you can use Spanish moss as stuffing.
Sew up the doll. Once you’ve stuffed the doll with your chosen material, sew up the opening using the same stitch as before. When you reach the left armpit, tie a knot and cut the thread. Your doll is now complete!
Making a voodoo doll using thread and string
Fold a piece of velvet wire in half, then bend it to create the neck. Start by folding a 30 cm piece of velvet wire in half. From the folded end, measure and bend approximately 2.5 cm, then fold it at a right angle, forming a 90-degree bend with the straight 2.5 cm segment.
Bend both halves of the velvet wire to create 4 cm long arms. Measure about 4 cm for the "left arm" and bend it back towards the neck. Then, bend the remaining part downward. Repeat this step for the other arm.
- Once completed, you will have a neck section that is 2.5 cm long, two horizontal arms measuring 4 cm each, and the remaining wire extending downward.
Create two legs beneath, positioned 5 cm apart from the arms. Measure and bend the velvet wire down by 5 cm from the arms. Bend the wire into an inverted V shape. Fold the excess wire back towards the V to form two 4 cm long legs. At this stage, your wire figure should resemble the following:
- A neck section measuring 2.5 cm vertically
- Two horizontal arms of 4 cm each
- A torso section measuring 5 cm vertically
- Two legs, each 4 cm long, angled outward
Attach a small wooden bead to the neck. Select a bead with a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm. Apply a drop of glue into the hole of the bead, then thread it through the neck.
- A 2.5 cm diameter foam bead can also be used in place of the wooden bead. Simply drill a hole in the foam bead first, add glue, and then thread it onto the neck.
- You may opt for a slightly larger bead, but keep in mind that it will appear larger once wrapped with string.
Wrap the thread around the wooden bead to completely cover it. Use glue to attach one end of the thread to the bead. Begin wrapping vertically, horizontally, and diagonally until the bead is fully covered, frequently changing the direction of your wrapping. Secure the thread's end with a drop of glue.
- If the head appears too small, continue wrapping. The more you wrap, the larger the doll's head will become.
- You can use thread of any color. Remember that you'll wrap the doll again with embroidery thread to add color.
Wrap the thread around the legs and torso. Start by wrapping down the left leg, then up to the waist. Continue wrapping down the right leg, then back up. Gradually work your way up the arms. Once both arms are done, return to the torso and wrap a few more times for a thicker body.
- For a neater look, you can wrap the thread around the wrists and ankles first, then continue wrapping the remaining parts of the arms and legs.
- If using regular wire, you may need to wrap the doll multiple times, as it could appear too thin otherwise.
Add color and clothing with embroidery thread. You can leave the doll as it is or wrap it again with embroidery thread. This step will add thickness, shape, and color to the doll. Wrap the embroidery thread in the same manner as the thread. Consider using different colors for the head and body. If you'd like, you can also make "clothes" for the doll.
- For a decorative touch, you can wrap the embroidery thread from the left shoulder to the right armpit, then from the right shoulder to the left armpit, creating an 'X' pattern.
Decorate with beads, buttons, or embroidery thread. Use beads or buttons to create eyes, and black embroidery thread for the mouth. You can even use scraps of felt fabric to add extra details, such as a beard or a belt. If you'd like to give the doll hair, cut a few strands of embroidery thread, tie them in the middle, and glue them to the doll's head.
Tips
- Someone with a particularly humorous nature might consider a voodoo doll a perfect gift – especially after a breakup with a partner!
- You can repurpose the voodoo doll as a pin cushion for your sewing needs.
- Tie a small piece of string around the doll's head and use it as a keychain or decorative item.
- Attach a magnet to the doll's back with hot glue, transforming it into a fridge magnet.
- Use hot glue or sew a safety pin into the doll's back to turn it into a brooch or an accessory for your clothing.
- A voodoo doll doesn't always have to be used for curses. Try using it to wish for positive things like happiness, health, or good fortune.
- Consider using foam beads for the doll's head – this makes stitching easier!
Warning
- Be cautious if you intend to use the doll with malicious intent; bad things may come back to haunt you.
- These voodoo dolls may not be effective in the way you expect.
What You Will Need
Making a voodoo doll with felt fabric
- Pen
- Paper
- Scissors
- Felt fabric (any color with added red)
- Embroidery needle
- Black embroidery thread
- White buttons
- Polyester stuffing
Creating a voodoo doll using thread and string
- 30 cm long velvet wire or regular wire
- Wooden beads approximately 2.5 cm in diameter
- Glue
- Thread
- Embroidery thread
- Scissors
