Easy homemade molds
for dolls' faces

Sculpting skills are not necessary. All that you need is an existing doll that's the right size, in any condition, or--for a more modern face/mold--some simple tools plus Fimo, Sculpey, or a similar clay that you can dry or bake at home.

On the right, you'll see the molds I've made. In the center are the results of using those molds. To the left, to show size, I have an American quarter (25-cent coin) and 20p from Ireland.

In the top row, the mold was made from a vintage international doll. Cheap plastic, with a nice expression. I dusted her face with cornstarch before pressing it into kneaded Fimo.

Then I removed the doll carefully, and baked the mold.

I dusted the mold before using it, and then pressed Fimo into it, removed the Fimo and used the metal tip of a mechanical pencil to make holes for ribbons, later. Then, I baked it.

The result is a mask that I can paint, add ribbons to, and tie onto a cloth doll for an alternative face.

In the lower row, you'll see a tool that I made to create a simple face for a doll.

I started with a small ball of kneaded Fimo. I smooshed it flat, and smoothed the top edges.

Then I cut out a notch with a paring knife.

Finally, I curved the lower edge up, to give it a handle for when I use it. I punched a small hole in the handle so I can put a string through it, to hang it with others on my studio wall.

After baking the mold, I rolled the face out of Fimo, pressed the mold into it, removed the mold, and--voila!--the face I wanted. Then I added the neck piece, pushed a hole through the neck sideways (to attach it to the wire armature I may use for the doll's body) and baked it.

Yep, two simple molds to make dollmaking easier!