Mama Cat (photo)
Anthony Ascione (model)

Little Mary Merkin

There once was a lady named Mary
Who had hair of blue like a fairy
She had a great shock
That knocked off her block
And now she covers those not so hairy

by Robyn Wade

Suggested Watching

Pink Flamingos (1972,
rated NC-17)

Difficulty

Boy Scout Dropout
Click here for definitions of difficulty levels.

Finished Measurements

5”/12.7 H x 5”/12.7cm W (can easily be customized to match your snatch)

Download

Materials

• 12" fashion doll for beheading
• 1 oz long-staple fiber in the color of your choice
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Size 20 darning needle (or any needle with large eye)
• 36 gauge felting needle(s)
• Needle felting mat
• Silver Angelina® Fiber (optional)
• 2 jump rings (optional)

Design Notes

Angelina® Fiber is the brand of a light-weight fusible fabric that is metallic and iridescent. It looks like fleece from a "magical mystery sheep," and comes in dozens of colors. It is very versatile and can be felted, embroidered, quilted, printed on, fused with an iron... it can be used a million different ways. If you choose to add this optional material, and you can't find it in your local craft shop, a quick internet search will provide you with dozens of sources.

Directions

Prepare the Head:

Remove the head from the fashion doll and dispose of the rest of the body however you see fit. Next, you want to remove all of the hair from the head of the doll. Since every doll is a little different you might have to alter these instructions to work with your doll. Start by cutting all of the hair as close to the roots as possible; at this point, you might be able to remove the rest of the hair simply by pulling on the roots. If that is not the case with your doll, try using the tweezers to pull the hair out from the inside.

Replace the Hair:

Once all of the hair has been removed from the head of the doll, you will be left with a pattern of little holes. Now comes the fun part. Divide your fiber into strips small enough to fit through the eye of your needle. Tie a knot at one end of your strip and thread the other end through the eye of your needle. Now, pull your needle through a hole on the outside perimeter of the head and pull the fiber up through the hole. (Tip: to keep your fiber together, it is best to pull slowly at the root.) Repeat this for every hole around the perimeter of the head.

Felt the Hair:

Now it’s time to felt your merkin. If you want your merkin a little sparkly, add some Angelina(R) into the hair of your doll. With the doll head and hair on the felting sponge or mat, roughly form the hair into the shape of your merkin and start stabbing being careful to cover all of the plastic on top of the head. If you end up with sparse spots, add more fiber and continue needle felting until you have a nice solid piece of felt in your desired shape.

Finishing:

You can embellish your merkin with little earrings or paint on additional make-up. If you choose to wear your merkin on a chain or a belt, sew the two jump rings on the upper outside corners of the merkin, otherwise it can be attached with spirit gum.

About

contact Robyn: • legal info