The T. D. Lady Pipe Doll

Costly toys are soon forgotten,
Laid upon the shelves,
While we're having endless fun
With those we make our selves.

Don't forget to paste paper mittens to the cape. This suggestion is vintage for sure.

       A white clay pipe, a T. D., used to cost two American pennies. Perhaps it costs more now, but these little pipe dolls may be made with ones that are chipped, worn or have broken stems. The most unique recycling craft for an old T. D. in disrepair; pose it as a dainty lady. You will need the largest wooden spool you can find, one on which linen or packing thread comes. Insert the pipe-stem into the spool, making it stand upright. With your paints, make features on the pipe bowl - eyes blue, brown or green and brows dark. Paint on scarlet cheeks on each side of the long "nose" shape of the pipe. Then dress the lady.

       Fold a paper napkin in two, but not exactly in the middle, letting one edge fall below the other to make a double border. Hang this fold on narrow baby-ribbon and gather it, tying a bow under madam pipe's chin. Tie another ribbon around the waist. The spool and pipe-stem are now covered. Fold another paper napkin from corner to corner, but not exactly in the middle, letting the corners form two lines. Drape this around the bowl of the pipe, or lady's head, making it look like a hood with her face peeping out. Tie another ribbon around the neck allowing a bow to hang in front like bonnet strings. The border of the shawl, or cap, should hang below the waistline. 

       If you have no paper napkins, you could use crepe paper, but have the skirt and shawl of different colors. Any bright tape or cord may be used instead of ribbon. A bottle dressed in this way makes a striking lady doll. The bottle will stand alone without a spool. A dark bottle makes a lovely Indian maid too!

• The history behind T. D. Pipes... 
• See how Kit and Caboodlers make pipe necklaces here.

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