One of the best parts about Kitty Friends is that they love to be photographed. However, it can be difficult to pose them sometimes without a stand. Some Hittys also have trouble standing up by themselves. I love my Michael Langton resin Hitty, but she is very top-heavy. Fortunately, I found a simple way to adapt some inexpensive doll stands purchased at Hobby Lobby. This tutorial will give specific instructions to adapt stands for Kitty Friends and a Michael Langton resin Hitty. However, you can use the same steps with customized measurements to fit your own dolls.
Materials:
Small metal 2-part doll stand
Plastic drinking straw
Piece of 1/8” wide elastic
Needle for hand-sewing
White sewing thread
Craft scissors
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KITTY FRIENDS
Make a simple extension using a single plastic drinking straw. Cut the drinking straw to 4 1/4” long. Discard the flexible end.
Remove the wire insert from the stand and insert the straw into the metal stand.
Now cut a 3 1/4” long piece of elastic and overlap the ends around the doll’s waist. It should be tight with no slack. Mark where the ends overlap with the marking pen.
Remove the elastic and overlap the ends again. Sew the elastic together where it overlaps with a double length of knotted thread. Tie a knot and cut the thread.
Pull the elastic up over your doll’s legs to the waist. When you want to display your doll, insert the top part of the plastic straw under the elastic, and your doll will stand securely. The elastic will stay hidden under the doll’s clothing. This makes a nice, lightweight stand to use with your Kitty Friend.
Have fun taking pictures of your Kitty Friends!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR A MICHAEL LANGTON HITTY
Cut a 2 1/2” long piece of elastic and make a mark 1/2” away from the end.
Wrap the elastic around the doll’s waist and overlap the ends by 1/2” where you placed the mark. You have to sew the elastic in place on the doll because it is not stretchy enough to pull over Hitty’s legs. Sew the elastic together where it overlaps with a double length of knotted thread. Be careful not to poke Hitty with the needle… ouch! Tie a knot and cut the thread.
Cut a 3 1/2” long piece of a plastic straw. NOTE: if you are customizing this part, the straw should be just a little longer than the distance from the doll’s feet to her waist. Remove the wire insert from the stand and insert the straw in its place. When you want to display your doll, insert the top part of the plastic straw under the elastic, and your Hitty will stand securely.
Michael Langton Hitty looking pretty!
