Wendy's Cottonthread Cottage. Unique and inspiring primitive designs.

Prim Staining Muslin For Doll Bodies

There are so many wonderful prim recipes out there for staining muslin and I'm always trying something new, but this is what I have found works the best for me and it is very simple too!
I used to dye my muslin before tracing out my doll bodies but now I make the entire doll body stuffing and all and then stain.   If you do not have muslin I often will use a white or cream cotton sheet or tablecloth that you can always find at thrift shops. Just an idea! :o)

For a basic stain mix instant tea and water to the desired color that you want. The more tea you use the darker your mixture will be.   I have found that all instant teas are pretty much the same so I buy the least expensive one I can find.

Now using a sponge brush, brush mixture only on the areas of the doll body that you will see.....head, neck, lower part of arms and legs. Now you can either hang the bodies outside to dry or where I live I usually use my oven. Place the doll bodies on an old cookie sheet and put into a 200 to 250 degree oven until dry, about 10 minutes being sure to watch closely as you might need to turn the bodies if necessary and you don't want them to burn unless you want a really prim look! LOL!   Repeat this procedure if you want your doll body darker.
For a more prim scorched look I use the flat part of my iron and iron the body while wet being careful not to use the part of your iron where the holes are or you will have circle marks on your body.

Now if you happen to get your doll to dark or don't quite like the color simply take a damp towel and blot the doll body which will absorb the tea mixture and start over. I also have paper towels handy in case I happen to get too much stain or don't like the color. Sometimes the stuffing you use or fabric may take on a different look than what you are looking for. Simply blot your fabric or I have even wrapped the paper towel around my doll body and squeezed the color out and then start over. Sooooooooo easy!
I also love using instant coffee as it gives it a richer warmer brown tone but it also leaves an odor which some people do not like. So when I use instant coffee I will add some vanilla or a drop or two of a yummy smelling fragrant oil. I also have added a drop or two of Oak stain or black acrylic paint depending on the color you are desiring.
My new favorite staining method is using walnut crystals which you mix with water for the desired color and this will keep forever in a jar without getting mildewy like tea. It gives a wonderful prim brown look and no smell too!

My new favorite staining method is using walnut crystals which you mix with water for the desired color and this will keep forever in a jar without getting mildewy like tea. It gives a wonderful prim brown look and no smell too!