Hi, you can just paint on regular muslin. I have a couple of books that tell about it. You make your doll, and then paint on it, like black boots. It will dry and look nice.

I, too, am trying to learn about painting on muslin and have questions if someone would be so kind as to answer. I have searched on the internet but with little luck.

I understand that you just paint directly on the fabric. I read that you should wash and dry the fabric but not use fabric softener or sheets. Do you pre-treat the fabric otherwise - like with a primer or acrylic base coat?? Do you seal afterwards? Do you use regular acrylic paint? I have fabric paint but it gives a "puff" look which I don't want.

I'm trying to achieve what I call a primitive "leather" look. I've seen this on dolls and other primitive things (animals, ornaments, etc.).

I appreciate any help anyone can offer!
Kammie

I have always just used regular acrylic paint and when dry I spray with a finish...matt or shiny depending on what look I am going for but spraying a finish is not really necessary. If you have every gotten acrylic paint on a shirt, you know that it is very permanent......

You can just paint the regular muslin (in Australia they call it calico, maybe that's what you were referring to?) with regular acrylic paint... then you can sand it down for a more smooth and primitive looking... It's best to use a sand foam block for that... then you can antique the doll, applying a antique medium, or even shoe wax, that will give the doll a wonderful look! You can even use modge podge to finish it off... there are so many possibilities!!! This technique works especially best when you make a black doll, but you can also paint the doll with some flesh colour too... Here's a link that is very helpful to get more info:

Here is a link that might be useful: info on cloth dolls

hi all.
i saw a couple of primitive dolls for sale on ebay and i kinda liked them. i tried making one and now i'm hooked. i've always loved the country primitive look but i love making the dolls even more. my question is....what is considered primitive? i see things for sale on ebay that don't look primitive and they sell as primitive. and why is it that the strangest looking things are considered primitive and look so wierd?

My understanding is that Primitive looking dolls are supposed to be not perfect. Pretend you are riding in a covered wagon over bumpy roads with little bits of fabric and hardly no supplies. You are trying to make a doll to entertain your child. It is dirty and dusty. The doll gets dirty under these circumstances. A lady explained it to me this way. Hope it helps.

I recommend gailwilsondesigns.com for wonderful patterns and kits for muslin dolls. There are all sorts of tips at this website for painting cloth dolls (muslin) and aging them. The site also sells excellent fabric for making dolls.

Thanks for all the help - I couldn't find simple instructions on the net either! Just what I wanted to get started. I'm in the UK where painted prim dolls are scarce, so I've been buying thro ebay, but it's not the same as making and loving your own! Just had a new grandaughter so hopefully she'll grow to love them too alongside today's dolls!