Doll Armatures© Martha Checkett
Aug 31, 2004
When designing and creating an art doll or a cloth doll that needs to have shaping, an armature is used.
Usually, it is made from the appropriate gage wire for the particular doll. This could be as small and bendable as chenille stems or as stiff as 12-14-16 gauge wire.
The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the wire. For dolls that are in the 10" to 24" range 16 gauge wire is strong enough. The wire should be aluminum, bronze coated, or other non-rusting (galvanized). Wire of all sorts can be found in hardware and craft/jewelry stores and having several kinds available is useful for a variety of armature purposes. Aluminum sculpture wire is strong, flexible and often comes in widths up to 1/4 inch. Interior wall type electrical cable and ordinary coat hangers both can be used in dollmaking. Copper wire while being quite flexible often is too soft to hold a shape.
In most cases the wire armature is created completely outside of the body and inserted into the skin fabric after it is sewn into the body shape. Often the entire body and all limbs will have the armature, however it might be only in the arms or legs to help the doll stand up or pose.
To create a full body armature you will need to calculate the amount of wire needed for head, torso, arms and legs. Sometimes the wire is doubled in places. Unless the head will not contain the armature, it is best to start at the top and work down.
Measure the doll completely from top of head to toes. Body proportions usually follow the formula of approximately 7 1/2-8 head lengths for the entire body. If the head measures 3 inches, the entire body will be 22-24 inches tall.
The position that the finished doll will take also is considered now. If your doll is to be sitting or standing in an usual way the armature will need to be adjusted to balance correctly. It is always good to start with a sketch or drawing of the shape the doll will take.
Pull the wire from the spool and form it into a large "W" shape. You will need the length of the doll times 4. Create a loop at the center top for the doll's head. Twist the outer legs of the "W" shape together around the neck. Next, tape around all the wires at the neck and hips.
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