Clothespin Ornaments
Martha makes clothespin ornaments.
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Martha Stewart Living Television
Handcrafted ornaments not only add a personal touch to a Christmas tree, but also make wonderful gifts -- and even the most utilitarian materials can be used to create them. Martha Stewart Living segment producer Lenore Welby has been making these playful doll ornaments out of old-fashioned wooden clothespins for years. To dress the dolls, use our templates to cut clothing from fabrics that don't require hemming, such as lace and felt; bits of ribbon and small beads can be used to accessorize.
Tools and Materials Clothespin doll ornaments template
Clothespin (the kind without springs; craft clothespins work best)
Acrylic paint in several colors, including flesh
Extra-fine permanent marker
Awl
1/2-inch screw eye
Material for clothing, such as felt, lace, ribbon, and beads
Scissors
Cotton balls
Craft glue
Clothespin Ornaments How-To 1. Download and print clothespin ornaments template. Paint clothespin: Paint the head flesh color, and paint the hair. Paint the body to coordinate with the clothing you'll be adding (the templates don't include pants patterns, so paint pants on). Paint shoes on the feet (unless the template you're using includes shoes). Let dry, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Draw facial features on the head with marker.
3. Working carefully, use the awl to make a hole in the top of the head. Screw in a 1/2-inch screw eye.
4. Use the templates to cut material into doll clothing. To attach clothing, first dab glue onto doll, then wrap clothing around doll. Trim excess. (Specific instructions are included on templates.) For Mrs. Claus's bun, glue a portion of a cotton ball to the back of her head. Glue on ribbon for decoration or beads for buttons, if desired.
5. Cut arms from a double thickness of felt, matching the color of the felt to that of the doll's clothing: Glue two pieces of felt together, and let glue dry. Cut out two arms per doll, and attach arms after doll is dressed.
6. Thread a length of ribbon through the screw eye for hanging.
Resources The wool felt used in this segment can be found at Magic Cabin.
I used a tip of a q-tip...snip it off and it makes a bun/pony tail
You can buy these kits at http://www.clothespincraftkits.com. The seell kits to make clothespin ornaments and dolls. Very cute. The kits are reasonably priced and they have many varieties for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Mothersday, Graduation, Independence day and more. Instructions and patterns are included.
I want to make other doll ornaments, ie jane austin. How can I obtain instructions?
If you think Santa should be bringing a real lump of coal ornament gag gifts for family or friends, visit:
http://www.coalgaggifts.com
cannot find template any help please
I made the Santa last year and it turned out to cute..loved the project. It was so much fun. They look awesome this year still.
I think I'll make the skater this year.
How do you make the Jane Austin dolls?
very cute! I guess I will have to get busy making a Mr. and Mrs. Claus to add to my repertoire of characters I have added to my shop!
Oh, that drives me crazy; I had type-os!
What I meant to write was:
I watched the Christmas DVD over and over.....
I watcher the Christmas DVD and watched it over and over, freezing the part where they showed the Jane Austen dolls. My husband and I were married this year, and I made a bride and groom inspired by the clothespin dolls. The bride had layers of lace with ivory ribbon in her hair and I adjusted the men's coat template to look like my husbands suit. The faces and hair were painted to match our coloring. I wish we could post pictures; I would love to see what others are doing!
I got the Christmas Day re-runs. Will see if I can talk my husband into letting me put maybe ONE pic of the Austen costumes and ONE of the faces on my webpage. He's (rightfully) concerned about copyright, but MAYBE, if you all promise solemnly to LOOK only, I can put my "one copy for personal research" out there ... Oh, also got the "Handmade Christmas" DVD from the public library, and they're in there too, I -think- it's the same as was on the Crafts show, no substantive extras.
I got the Christmas Day re-runs. Will see if I can talk my husband into letting me put maybe ONE pic of the Austen costumes and ONE of the faces on my webpage. He's (rightfully) concerned about copyright, but MAYBE, if you all promise solemnly to LOOK only, I can put my "one copy for personal research" out there ... Oh, also got the "Handmade Christmas" DVD from the public library, and they're in there too, I -think- it's the same as was on the Crafts show, no substantive extras.
Chimene, you are right. The Mrs. Claus dress is basically the same, and the mens coats are the same. If any of you have "Martha's Homemade Holidays" DVD, the clothespin ornament segment is on that and they show more pictures of the Austen type ornaments. The templates are the same as what are on the website, no more, but it helps to have more pictures to go by.
I did tape the episode and they said ALL patterns would be on the web site. I double checked-it's exactly what was said. It would have been nice to have had all the patterns shown on the show, as well as patterns, or at least pix of the faces of the JA dolls. I can use the tape, but not everyone taped it; and patterns would have been much better. Is no one at MSL listening to our comments???
I gogled "Dresses 1976" and came across The Gallery of Fashion that will give you lots of beautiful examples from the late 1700's.
The templates are here. Just click on the blue writing that says clothespin ornament template. Easy as "pie" then print and be on your merry crafter way (smile here)!
Hey, Everyone! I just found the ornament segment on ON DEMAND which shows the entire episode including the JANE AUSTEN ornaments!!!!!
Hi, leef. Technically the Austen patterns are here. Mrs Claus' dress is the women's Empire style dress, and the men's frock coat pattern is in the templates. Knowing that doesn't help an awful lot if there aren't any pics of the Austens for guidelines, though. I really wish they'd put up a shot or two from the show (HINT HINT). I'm checking back through Dec issues of MLS, but haven't found the Austens yet. (not in Dec 2000) Try your public library?
I'd also like to see the "Jane Austin" patterns for the clothing. I'm not so much into Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Well, it was a struggle, but I have discovered that "Ep. 107" of "Martha Stewart Crafts", where our Jane Austen clothespin people are, will be re-broadcast, IN MY AREA, on DIY, once or twice on Dec 25. Suggest you all look it up individually, as times and stations may vary in your areas.
Hi Kymberley, et al, K-- your plan to take the Austens off your TIVO is the only way, I think. I have discovered that this segment was originally released on DVD as part of Christmas 2005. Also found a ref on a Jane Austen fan site, "Make Elizabeth and Darcy Clothespin Dolls!" that leads to a "this page isn't here anymore" announcement on MSL website. So I think there WAS a detailed site, but it's been taken down. Just as they re-broadcast it! Hope we see it again this year.
Everyone seems to be asking for the same thing, yet the folks at MarthaStewart.com seem to be incredibly quiet. Maybe they won't ever answer. In that case you might want to TIVO all MS craft shows until you can grab this one and carefully copy down the Jane Austin, et al that you want using the pause button. That's what I'll be doing for sure! :-) Hey, were all creative types, right? Why not improvise...
Please include PHOTOS of the skaters AND the JANE AUSTEN ornaments soon!! Thank you!
I made these with my daughters over 5 years ago. They are very cute. (but a little tricky for kids under the age of 8).
I made these with my daughters over 5 years ago. They are very cute. (but a little tricky for kids under the age of 8).
I made these with my daughters over 5 years ago. They are very cute. (but a little tricky for kids under the age of 8).
Hi! I could've sworn that Martha promised that all of the directions for the clothesin dolls would be available online. I was counting on making the Jane Austen ornaments as special Christmas surprises for my extended family. Please post more info. and photos. Thanks!
The templates are here. You have to read the instructions and click on the download templates
Yes, I too came here looking forward to all those wonderful templates! Martha, please have your tech dept. add the rest!!!! We want them all!
I am so disappointed that the patters aren't all on this site. I hope they are added soon!!
I am disappointed also. I looked for all the patterns. They are not there. How do we find them?
I too was looking for the patterns. On TV they gave the impression that they would all be on line.
I'm so disappointed that not all the templates
I was really looking forward to the Jane Austen patterns that were shown on TV, and spoken so highly of. Where are they?? This is NOT a 'Good Thing' Martha!
Very poor follow through.
I am very disappointed that the jane austen ornaments are not included in the pattern instructions.... that is one of the main reasons I logged on to diynet
I also was looking for the Jane Aucten look patterns mentioned on the show.
It would be a good thing to add the Jane Austen like ornaments to your patterns.
Thank you
Where are all the other clothespin ornaments photos? On the show they said it would all be on the site? Please help would like to make for my son's holiday craft faire.
Please add photographs of the Jane Austen type ornaments -- that's what drew me to the website.