Protecting your dolls from the household elements with doll cases is a great way to preserve your dolls' beauty. Traditionally doll cases are made from heavy glass or heavy high quality Lexan, though these sturdier, high-quality cases can be difficult to find. Many commercially sold doll cases can be low-quality dull plastic or vinyl slips. Making doll cases yourself is an easy alternative. Though not cheap, it is a wonderful project because you can pick out the colors and textures of the acrylic to complement your doll or room.
Instructions
Making a Doll case
1. Measure your doll for height and width of costume. You will need to adjust the basic measurements given to allow for large or unusual costumes, so the doll will lay or stand easily in the case. For average size dolls a common case measures 12 inches square by 18 inches high.
2. Using the sandpaper, roughen the 1/4 inch edge of the 12 inch by 12 inch square and the four 12 inch by 18 inch pieces of acrylic (Plexiglas) sheets. Make sure to get all four edges of each acrylic piece.
Please note the 12 inch by 12 inch square will be called the top and the 12 by inch by 18 inch piece(s) will be called the side piece(s).
3. Apply a line of glue along the narrow edges of the top piece and along the long edges of the side pieces. With the top piece laying flat on a table, stand a side piece up on its short end and press the side piece against the top piece. Make sure the pieces butt against each other and press to make a good seal. To make sure you have it right, look at it from the side and you should have a large L. Glue and set into place the remaining three side pieces against the top. Fill in any gaps with a line of caulking or glue. This is the assembled case slip.
4. Have a helper hold this assembled case slip together while the web belt is slid down to the bottom where the pieces all meet together. Tighten the web belt enough so that the slip case can hold itself upright, with the open end up.
5. Stuff the case with lots of newspaper and make sure it is packed full. Tighten the belt a bit more so that you can see the Plexiglas press against each edge and seal completely. Let the case slip dry completely undisturbed for 48 hours.
6. Finishing the base is the last thing to do. Apply some glue with a brush to one side of the large flat surface of the 12 1/4 inch by 12 1/4 inch square called the base. Lay the glue covered side down on the piece of felt. Then flip the base square over and smooth the felt as much as possible to remove puckers, bubbles and folds. Let it dry for about 24 hours then trim away the excess felt.
7. Take a doll stand of your choice and apply glue to the bottom of the doll stand. Put the doll stand in place on the un-felted side of base and let it dry completely.
8. The doll case is designed to be in two pieces, the slip case goes over the doll and rests on the base.
Tags: inch inch, doll cases, case slip, doll stand, inch inch square
