Introduction: My Pet Dog Doll
This doll is inspired by the amazing work of Broshich. I wanted to make a doll that resembled my boston terrier, Frida.
I am not going to attempt to teach you to sculpt in this instructable. I don't expect you to create exactly the same thing I did. Instead, I'm going to give instructions where I can, but some steps may just be images to show the process. I encourage you to use the following images and my process to create your own version. Perhaps you'll create a doll of your own pet.
Step 1: Materials and Tools
Sculpey oven-bake clay
sculpting tools
paintbrushes
acrylic paint
super glue
thin cotton twine
foil
glass container
wooden dowel
sander or pencil sharpener
fleece
needle and thread
sewing machine
long upholstery needle
medium sized beads
clear nail polish
matte laquer spray
doll eyes
Step 2: Begin Sculpting the Head
Knead the Sculpey until it's soft before beginning.
Start with a ball a bit smaller than a racquetball.
Add a smaller ball for the snout.
Step 3: Eyes and Snout
I used doll eyes to ensure my eyes were the same size. One of the easiest ways to make your doll look goofy is to have the eyes be uneven.
Don't worry about the color. We'll paint them later.
Use a tool to block out the snout, nose, mouth etc. Make sure everything is in the right place before spending time on details.
Step 4: Eyes and Snout Continued
When adding parts that are intended to be symmetrical, start with balls of the same size so they'll be more likely to be the same as you sculpt each piece.
Step 5: Nose
Step 6: Mouth
Step 7: Ears
At this point, it was advantageous to put the head on a stand. Sharpen a wooden dowel, put some styrofoam in a mug or bowl, and use the dowel to create a stand for your sculpture.
Step 8: Finishing the Head
Take a look at your sculpture from all sides and see if there's any areas that need addressing.
Here I added whisker pores, and I used a stiff paintbrush to add the texture of her nose.
I also used some acetone and a soft paintbrush to smooth out fingerprints and rough spots.
Be sure to cut a groove in the bottom of the neck to allow it to sit on the shoulders of the body.
Step 9: Paws
I went through a couple different versions of paws, so you may see the first iteration. I put these on toothpicks in a bowl of foil for baking.
Step 10: Shoes
Use a pencil to draw the shape of the sole of your shoes. You can imprint graphite onto Sculpey by pressing them together.
Step 11: Shoes Continued
For the soles, I used a square drill bit to make impressions.
Step 12: Bake
Bake at a lower temperature than the instructions say for a longer period. The plastic doll eyes are sensitive and need to be kept at a lower temperature. I set mine to 170 degrees initially and left it in for several hours. At some point, I opted to raise the temperature and regretted it. You'll see why in the next step.
Step 13: Eye Repair
The inside of the eyes melted or shrank or something. I used quick dry tacky glue to fill in the negative spaces. I had to let it dry and continue to fill it repeatedly until it was full. Ultimately, it worked out fine.
Step 14: Painting
Again, I'm not going to try to teach you to paint, so just check out the process to see what might work for your own project.
When the sculpture is done and painted, I recommend spraying it with a sealing lacquer spray. I didn't want mine to be shiny, so I used a matte lacquer.
However, I did want the eyes to be shiny, so I added some clear nail polish to them.
Step 15: Cut and Sew Body Parts
Lay your pieces down on some fleece and draw out the body parts based on the size of your sculpted pieces.
Cut two of each piece, and sew them most of the way around leaving a small gap for filling.
Turn them inside out, so the seams are on the inside.
Step 16: Stuff Body
I opted to stuff my body with 2/3 beans and the rest with leftover fleece bits. The beans give it weight and the fleece is more solid and less floppy than fluff.
Step 17: Attach Legs
Sew on the thighs as shown using cotton twine. Using an upholstery needle, sew through the first leg, the body, then the other leg.
Add a bead, then go back the same way. When you get back to the other side, add another bead. Go back and forth once more to return to the same side you started on. Tie it off.
Step 18: Knees
Cut a strip of fleece. Roll it up and stitch it into a cylinder.
Sew it to the ends of the thighs as shown. Then stitch it to the leg.
Lay the ends of the twine along the sides of the knees and stitch them up.
Step 19: Attach Arms
Stuff the arms 2/3 full of fleece then stitch across them where the elbow belong. Sew the arms on the same way you did the thighs.
Roll back the ends of the arms and apply super glue to the top of the paws. Roll the fleece down over the glued section and press firmly.
Step 20: Attach Head
You may need to sharpen your dowel even more now.
Twist and press the dowel into the top of the body. When it's far enough in to place the head onto the body, apply superglue to the edges of the head and press it on firmly.
Step 21: Have Fun
Since this instructable is already huge with 20 steps, I'll have to save the clothes for another instructable. I look forward to sharing that process as well. Have fun!

Second Prize in the
Sculpt & Carve Challenge
19 Comments
1 year ago on Step 21
Do you make these dolls to sell?
Best Answer 1 year ago
No, but the artist I was inspired by does, and her work is even better than mine. Check the link in the first paragraph.
1 year ago
Congratulations on winning second prize!
I love this project, and I definitely want to give it a try! I have done something similar to this, but this seems like it would be easier!
Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
I’m going to try to make one like my girl Maple Syrup (because she’s that color and she’s just that sweet!) Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! So so CUTE!
Reply 1 year ago
Awesome! Be sure to post an "I made it comment" here when you're done. I'd love to see it!
Reply 1 year ago
I’ll try not to lose the link. It’ll be a while before I start it as I have several other projects to finish first. But thanks, I’ll definitely attempt to not forget doing that!
Tip 1 year ago on Step 21
If you sculpt the head onto a ball of aluminum foil, it will be lighter and stronger -- and glass eyes are easy to get, they can take the heat. And you can sculpt a rim on the neck to hold the head in, or a rim on the feet
Reply 1 year ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I never liked using foil in my sculptures. It always ends up getting in my way. It is definitely a popular option though.
1 year ago
That turned out fabulous! Both your pup and the doll are adorable. If you ever make another one, you can pop the eyes off before baking and then glue them back in after it cools. Also you can use a tin foil ball in the center of the head and then cover it with your clay so you don't have so much weight in the head. The arms could also be done like the legs and you can make a crease around the neck and sew the neck body to the neck. I have seen old fabric dolls made that way. Anyway, it is adorable. These ideas are just for your future makes. I hope they help.
Reply 1 year ago
Thanks for the great suggestions!
1 year ago on Step 21
Doll's cool!👍
1 year ago on Step 21
Lovely instruction and excellent photos! Thanks very much.
1 year ago
Freaking amazing!!! You have a gift!!
1 year ago
What a creative idea, not only a lesson in sculpting but also doll making! Awesome!
1 year ago
Seriously amazing!! I am in awe of your sculpting skills. Beautiful all around :D
1 year ago
It looks so cute and like real................
1 year ago
She is adorable!!
1 year ago
This is one of the coolest things I've seen all day. And I've seen some cool things today! :D
1 year ago
I thought that was a real dog from looking at the thumbnail, so well done!