How to make Kimekomi dolls without using patterns

1. Equipment and Supplies

Tools for making Kimekomi Dolls
  1. Marutoh (chisel for grooves and holes)
  2. Doll scissors
  3. Tucking spatula
  4. Meuchi (awl)
  5. Wooden sticks
  6. Glue powder (starch based) – included in the COMPLETE SET
  7. Bond (wood glue)
  8. Sandpaper
  9. Wooden powder – included in the COMPLETE SET

2. Preparation

Preparing the Body

  1. Mix wooden powder with a little water until it becomes like clay.
  2. Use this putty to fill bumps and cracks on the doll body.
  3. Allow the body to dry completely.
  4. Sand the surface smooth with sandpaper.
  5. Deepen the groove lines with a cutter or wet spatula. (See the video below)

Reinforcing Fragile Parts (Recommended)

  1. Paste washi paper on fragile areas such as joints and hole positions.
  2. After drying, fit the head and hands and mark where to make holes.
  3. When drilling for the head, go deeper until you reach the hollow space.
  4. Test the head fitting, but avoid touching the doll’s face directly.
Reinforcing the doll body with washi paper

Making Glue

Mix glue powder and water at a ratio of 1 : 1.5 until smooth. (See below)

Mixing glue powder with water
Glue consistency example

3. Attaching Fabric

Attaching square fabric to doll body

Note: Our dolls do not use paper patterns.

We recommend using square fabric instead of patterns, since you can freely place your favorite design on visible areas and reduce waste.

How to Apply the Fabric

  • Start with the largest body parts, applying fabric from the edge.
  • Check direction and coverage of the fabric before attaching.
  • Put prepared glue into the groove lines, press fabric into them with the spatula, and hold the fabric tight.
  • Cut away excess fabric little by little (approx. 2mm). Cutting all at once may cause shortage.
  • Continue the process from larger to smaller parts until the doll is covered.
Applying fabric to doll
Cutting excess fabric along grooves
Cutting little by little
Pressing fabric into grooves
Using spatula to tuck fabric
Finished groove tucking
Final trimming of fabric
Complete fabric application

4. Finishing

  1. Glue the hands first (if included).
  2. Test the head fitting to decide the best direction. Do not touch the face—cover with soft cloth or paper.
  3. Fix the head with glue. If loose, add more glue.
Attaching head with glue
Adjusting head position

5. Completed Doll

Finished Kimekomi Doll

This website sells Kimekomi Doll kits, completed dolls, fabrics, and tools. You can find a wide variety of Japanese Kimekomi Dolls here.

If you need only the doll body or face, please contact us—we can prepare them separately.