Palm tree leaves, which raffia is made from.
Raffia, a grass-like natural fiber that comes from palm tree leaves, is often used in crafts, millinery and the florist trade. Raffia is durable, pliable and can be dyed any color. You can use raffia as the primary material in many different projects, such as making baskets, hats, or bags, or you can use it as a decorative component in floral arrangements and gift wrap. You can also use raffia to make craft dolls, such as a Hawaiian raffia doll.
Instructions
1. Take a bundle of plain-colored raffia and cut it to the length you would like the doll's body to be. Take another small piece of raffia and tie it around the top of the bundle to hold it together.
2. Take another bundle of plain-colored raffia and tie off the top. Spread this bundle over the small foam craft ball, so that the tied top sits on top of the ball. Tie off the bottom of the bundle on the bottom of the ball. This will become the doll's head.
3. Cut a small piece of raffia and tie the bottom of the head to the top of your raffia bundle from Step 1. Trim the ends if necessary.
4. Take a smaller bundle of raffia and cut it to double the desired arm length, plus 1/2 inch. Tie one end of the bundle together with another piece of raffia.
5. Divide the rest of the bundle into three equal sections. Braid the sections together tightly and tie off the opposite end with a piece of raffia. Set the braid aside.
6. Take the braid from Step 5 and insert it through the body, just below the neck, to create the arms.
7. Cut a small piece of raffia and tie off the doll body tightly at waist level, so that you create a visible torso.
8. Divide the bottom part of the body into two sections. Divide each section into three more sections. Braid these sections to create legs, then tie them off at the bottoms.
9. Take a bundle of green-colored raffia and cut it to the Hawaiian skirt length that you want for your Hawaiian doll. Spread the raffia bundle around the doll's waist, then cut a smaller piece of green raffia and tie it around the waist.
10. Take a bundle of black-colored raffia and cut it to the hair length that you want. Spread the raffia over the head and tie the tops to the tied top of the head. Arrange the hair as desired, or cut bangs into the hair. Trim the excess raffia from the top of the head.
11. Take a bundle of pink-colored raffia and cut it to a necklace length for your doll. Divide the raffia into three sections.
12. Braid the three sections of pink raffia together and tie off the ends. Hang the raffia braid around the doll's neck and tie the ends together with another piece of raffia.
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