So my kid like so many now, is into Vampires. She recently got a Vampire Doll and wanted a place for her to sleep. Therefore I just had to make her a little coffin.

I did this out of stuff I had laying around the house. Some scrap cardboard and paints mostly. It did not cost me anything because I already had the stuff. But if you had to go buy the stuff if might cost you 5.00 to 10.00. Depending on what you need. The most expensive thing I used was some Gaff tape. But since hubby is an entertainment rigger, we always have this laying around, but a roll of it costs about 15.00 for 60ft. Needless to say I did not use anywhere near that much. You really can use any tape you want, from masking to duct. The paint I used is just acrylic from the local craft store, it costs a few dollars a bottle.

Step 1: Measure Doll

Measure your doll. You will want plenty of leg and head room. Especially if you decide to add a velvet pillow later.

Step 2: Cut Out Top and Bottom

Draw an outline of your coffin. Mine was 12" on side then 3" in at an angle on top, 2" across the very top, then 3" down at an angle again, then 12" to the bottom, and 5" across.
You will need to cut out two of these using a square if necessary. I did not have a square so I used a clipboard that I knew was square and placed it on the straightest edge of the cardboard and then held my ruler against it for getting a clean edge to start with. Draw out your design with a pencil and then cut with utility knife. Be careful and keep fingers away from the cutting area, which is the edge of your ruler. A good thick plastic or metal one works best. Make sure to cut cardboard on a cutting surface, I use a big piece of wood. But you can use a cutting mat if you have one.

Step 3: Cut Side Piece

Now you need to cut the sides of the coffin. This can be done in one step if you have a large enough piece of cardboard. Or you can piece it together with tape.

I am doing it in one step.

First measure all the way around the top piece you cut out. If you used my size then you will come up with 37". Cut your piece at least one inch larger than this, go two inches to be sure.

Now you should have a really long rectangular piece. Mine is 4" wide because that is how deep I wanted it.

Step 4: Score Side Piece

Now start measuring where you want to score. I would add about 1/8 inch for each bend. So measure 12 1/8 make pencil mark. Then 3 1/8 make pencil mark. Then 2 1/8 and make pencil mark. Then 3 1/8 and make pencil mark. Then 12 1/8 and make pencil mark, then last bend is the bottom 5". If you have extra, just trim.

Now score these marks. This means cut only through top layer of cardboard.

After scoring bend in the opposite direction of the cut, this will look cleaner on the outside and you can hide the cuts on the inside with tape.

You should end up with a piece that fits nicely on top of the edge of your bottom piece. I put mine on the top of the bottom piece, not around the outside edge, so the lid would fit right.

If you don't end up with it quite right don't stress about it, just cut it off and add pieces as needed. My first try did not fit quite right and I ended up cutting out a bottom piece to add. This is why I added the 1/8 of an inch in between.

Step 5: Tape Top and Bottom to Side

Once you have made all your bends and you are happy with the way the side piece fits on top of the bottom, tape it in place.

To get nice clean tape that is all the way in the corners, use a pencil tip to push the tape in.

Tape on the lid of the Coffin. It should fit nicely. Trim any areas you don't like by flipping it over and trimming with utility knife.

Step 6: Tape and Paint

Once you get the pieces taped together to hold. Then go back and add tape to cover all edges on the inside only. I covered the entire inside with Gaff Tape. This made it look cleaner and it will hold up better. The black color means I don't have to worry about painting over the tape.

Now paint a base coat of paint on the outside and the lid. When dry paint the bottom.

Let dry for at least an hour between coats of paint. I only did two coats.

Step 7: Add Decorative Touches

Once you get it all painted to your liking. It's time to add some decorations. We chose to use some cutouts from the box her doll came in. I just cut them out and glued them onto the coffin. I used the dot glue that you use for scrap booking. But I am sure that regular glue would work. You could also do a decoupage.

Step 8: Optional Latch

I decided to make a latch for keeping it closed.

First I found a piece of jewelry from the candy machines. A little round skull.

Then I got some tie line. I melted the ends of the line with a lighter so they would not fray while trying to insert through the holes. Just be careful and don't squeeze it too fast it will burn you. If you have never done this, you just move the tie line into the flame ever so slightly don't leave it there but a second, it can catch on fire. Then you kinda pinch it, but like I said it is really hot so use caution. This only works with poly blends, not cotton. If you are using cotton string you might try to use a knitting hook or a needle to help get through the hole.

I made a hole in the top and inserted the tie line into it with the skull attached. You could use a monkey fist knot here also.
Then I tied a knot on the inside of the lid and taped it to the lid of the coffin to secure. I taped over the whole lid with Gaff Tape.

Next I made a hole on the side of the coffin below the one I just made. On this one I put a long piece of tie line through and then tied a little loop. The loop will go over the head of the skull. I tied a knot on the inside and taped over the ends.

And there you go a little latch to keep out those Buffy type Vampire hunters!