I was planning to buy an Elf, but I couldn’t find one locally and really didn’t feel like dropping $30 on one, so I decided to DIY and share the magic with you!

DIY Elf on the Shelf

Cost: Approximately $6 (This may be a bit more if you purchase the supplies online.)

The first thing you’re going to need are some supplies, so head to your nearest craft store and grab the following items from the doll section.

Supplies

You will also need a hot glue gun, or you can sew it if you’re feeling spunky, though you will likely want some sort of glue for the hair.

The first thing I did was lay out my pieces and then cut out the neck section on my face so that it would fit nicely onto the muslin form.  These poseable forms have feet, and I wanted to stay to true elf form, so I cut them off (poor Elfie) and used some hot glue to stitch him back up.  Once his feet were ready to go it was time to start dressing my elf!

Dressing your elf is really simple.  Using long rectangular pieces of red felt, glue it to the leg.  I chose to have my seam run down the back of the leg.  Once it’s in place simply wrap the felt around and glue down the other end.  I found that making my piece a little wide was best, because then I could trim if needed, but be sure to have enough material as these doll forms aren’t perfectly uniform.

After the legs were covered, I moved on to the arms.  Elfie has white hands, so I put a tube of white up near his hands (for gloves) in the same fashion that I did the legs, but I filled the end with glue and pressed it shut as it dried (be careful! the glue is HOT).  Once the glue was cool enough (not totally dry) I cut the hand shape and pressed the ends shut fully.  Once both hands were done I covered the arms with red felt, just as I did the legs.    The body was the same idea except I used two rectangular pieces, glued the back on and then the front to wrap around his sides to hide the seams.  Easy peasy!

Next up was his hair.  This part I didn’t photograph because it really just requires a bit of playing with adult playdoh.  You can shape the Block of Sculpey Clay however you like, when you’re done pop it (the clay ONLY, not the head) into the oven for about 15-30 minutes at about 275°F (read the instruction on your package).  Allow it to cool and then glue it to your elf’s head.

Once the hair is on you can add his hat!  Cut out a simple 1/3 circle in red and a long rectangle in white.  Glue your 1/3 circle into a cone shape and glue to your elf’s head.  I found that my elf needed some stuffing for his head to be more… well head shaped, so I used some cotton balls to fill in the gaps.  Add your white strip and then you can add whatever neck decoration you like.

All in all I think that our Elfie turned out pretty great!

Don’t forget to buy or DIY your own elf to join in on all of the holiday fun with this cute creeper!

 

45 Responses

  1. Approximately size did you buy the doll faces and how much did you take off the legs, I went to hobby lobby but they didn’t have the doll supplies. Thanks.

    1. You can also order them online I got mine for like $2 but the shipping was $6 so I did pay like $8 but when I tried to hand make that part it was too time consuming and I kept messing up. Our Hobby Lobby didn’t have one. I also checked Michaels, but they didn’t have one either.

  2. I looked at Hobby Lobby and Michael’s as well and they didn’t have the stuff. If someone will loan you the book, they have the plush stand alone elf for $8.99 at Target.

  3. this is such a cute and imaginative idea. It would of been a whole heck of a lot neater holidays if my parents had done this when me and my brother where younger. i will have to start it as anew tradition when i start having kids

  4. How did you do the face? Did you just cover the back of the doll with the hair/hat or did you use something else?

    I bought two faces and plan on covering the back one with hair.

    This was an awesome tutorial, but after having to buy all my stuff online + shipping I should’ve just bought it, lol. But now I can make our little elfs clothes green instead of red!

  5. Where is everyone finding the face, even online? I’ve only seen it offered as “vintage doll face” on Etsy for about $5 plus shipping. The body was easiest enough to find online (for about $2.50 plus shipping). No Michael’s by me have either, none of the Hobby Lobby’s in central TX I visisted recently had either. I borrowed the book from the library, but I really don’t want to spend $20 on supplies when I could just buy the book/doll combo for $25. I’m getting discouraged:/

  6. where did you buy the face thats what im having trouble with i know where to buy the mulsion doll form and the felt

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  10. Hey, If you’re having trouble, I’m thinking on using a dollar store look alike Barbie head. and pipe cleaner body, and some felt.
    But I like the idea!

  11. Hi should i put the hair all the way around the back of the head? Mines looking good so far, I’m just having trouble with the head and hair.

    1. Because you need to bake it separately, I’d just do the front of the head. I’d try to make it a little extra onto the head so it can be tucked under the hat a little bit 🙂

  12. I am making these for my sons and nephew – I love your tutorial and look forward to personalizing my elves. I had a hard time finding doll faces, but eventually found an Etsy site called Mooglamom. She has lots of different doll faces. I messaged back and forth with her and she helped me pick some adorable faces based on my doll body measurements. If anyone else is looking for faces, check out her site!
    Thanks again for the tutorial!

  13. Joanns online has a doll body on sale right now for 2.99 regular price is 3.99. Some Joanns have doll supplies in store.

  14. Amazon has 6 each dolls for 20$! I bought 6 faces on etsy for $8 and felt at a local craft store for $8! I’m making 6 dolls for the price of 1! And giving them to the neighbor kids and min of course!

  15. Pingback: Awesome Elf Crafts