The Veduchka doll is an ancient Slavic talisman made for a mother and her baby. A small doll made of fabric was responsible for the well-being of the home and relationships between family members. By dispelling misunderstandings and eliminating quarrels, Veduchka strengthened the bond between mother and child.
In former times, only women who gave birth were engaged in making dolls, but now young girls also wind Veduchka. You can also make such a gift for your mother to demonstrate warm feelings for her, show affection, gratitude for her support. For this case, we have prepared a master class - it awaits you at the end of the article.
The history of the appearance of the Veduchka doll
The Veduchka doll personifies maternal love, sensitivity, and wisdom.
It is unknown who made the first Veduchka. Such talismans have been widespread in Rus' since pagan times.
The doll was made by a woman who had recently given birth. It was not a simple decoration, but a talisman designed to help the mother raise her child in love and harmony.
How the Veduchka doll appeared
From birth to the end of their lives, the ancient Slavs were accompanied by amulets. Made by the hands of loving wives, mothers, sisters. Amulets (jewelry, dolls) protected their owners from evil spirits or well-wishers, and helped in every possible way along the path of life.
The name of the rag amulet comes from the words “to know” and “to lead” - leading to life.
One of these amulets was the Veduchka doll. It appeared so long ago that no one remembers when it was. In those days, family values were placed above all else. Men earned money, provided protection, put food on the table, and women took care of the house and raised children.
To cope with this sometimes very difficult task, special amulets were made for mothers - paired dolls. They were called Veduchki.
Lyalka personified a mother who literally led her child through life - helping him, telling him where to go.
Slavic women made these amulets without outside help, but the dolls became helpers not only for them - they also protected the woman’s child. A rag amulet helped maintain good relations between elders and younger ones, and brought order and prosperity to the house.
Meaning and Applications
The name of the doll comes from the ancient Slavic word “vesti” and literally means “the one who leads to life.”
Previously, it was believed that the bereginya, created by loving motherly hands, would protect the baby from evil forces, ensure his health and a happy future. The doll will also benefit the mother: it will teach her to be more patient with the child, give her wisdom and sensitivity, and help raise her son or daughter to be a good person.
Although dolls were created for protection purposes, they were often used to decorate homes. Sometimes beregins were given to children to play with.
The amulet was passed from mother to daughter. Thanks to this, the connection between generations was maintained and family traditions were strengthened. Together with the rag talisman, the girl received from her parent her life experience necessary for raising children.
Appearance
Veduchka is a paired doll without a face, consisting of figures of a mother and a child. Its distinctive feature is a common pair of hands for two, symbolizing boundless maternal love, as well as the inextricable bond between a woman and her child.
The Veduchka doll consists of mother and child figures.
The children's figurine is made in the form of a boy or a girl (depending on the gender of the child). A mother who has given birth to twins makes a doll from 3 figures: her own and 2 children.
The doll is decorated in Russian folk motifs. To do this, the female figurine is dressed in a long sundress, dress or other traditional ancient Slavic clothing. The head is decorated with a scarf, the neck with beads.
A girl child is dressed up in a sundress or a dress, a boy is dressed in a shirt with a belt and trousers.
How to make a talisman with your own hands?
The Veduchka is created by sequential actions that cannot be violated. The main criterion for creating a doll is that the mother must make it for her child herself.
For the amulet you will need the following materials:
- branch (according to tradition, birch was used because it was believed that it warded off evil spirits);
- fabric (thick for the base and lighter for decorations);
- threads (choose red - this color resisted various troubles);
- wool or other filler.
We recommend: A protective talisman against evil forces on the road - the Plantain amulet. How to make a doll with your own hands?
It is not necessary to maintain exact dimensions and shapes, since in the old days everything was done by eye. Let's consider step by step how to properly make a talisman:
- First you need to make the body. To do this, you need to wrap the branch three times with a light-colored cloth and carefully secure it with a red thread. The thread dangles only from itself!
- For the head you need a flap of approximately 25–30 cm, the selected filler is used as the base. The head must be pressed to the body and covered with a flap. It is fixed with the same thread, which will look like an accessory on the neck.
- The chest is done in the same way as the head. It is necessary to make two balls of filler and wrap them in fabric, then tie them with thread, and then put them under the material of the body and wrap them in the same way with thread.
- For the arms you will need an elongated flap in the shape of a rectangle; they should be long, since they are combined with the child. The fabric is twisted along the long side into a roll and tied with thread in the center. Attached to the neck and bent down, a child is made on these arms - a boy or a girl.
- For a baby, the fabric needs to be twisted, the legs and neck formed with threads, and attached to the center of the mother’s arm. Everything else is done according to the principle of the older doll.
You can dress up Veduchka at your own discretion. A triangular scarf is required, which is wrapped around the head and tied in a knot.
Otherwise, you can use any colorful materials for the sundress, tie it with ribbons, beads or lace.
From the video you will learn how to make a leader doll:
Manufacturing rules
In order to endow the Veduchka with protective powers, a number of requirements must be adhered to during its manufacture:
- Only the mother should create the doll. You cannot order it from other women or attract assistants.
- There should be no male energy in the room where the work is being done. We need to wait until my husband leaves on business. If a woman has small sons, they need to be put to bed or occupied with some kind of work so that they are not distracted.
- It is recommended to make a protective doll on your knees, i.e. in a woman’s space (they used to say “in the hem”). The table is used to lay out materials used in work on it.
- Veduchka's face must be white. This color symbolizes purity of thoughts.
- When working, you should try to do without scissors, needles and knives. A craft made without their use will protect the health of mother and child. To make patterns for a doll, needlewomen cut the edges of the fabric with scissors and then tear it with their hands. Veduchka's body is tied up. Threads are bitten with teeth or torn off.
- All threads on the amulet should be tied with 3 knots. The ancient Slavs were sure that this number protected against negative energy.
The Veduchka doll is created by the mother with her own hands.
Doll Bereginya - Mentor "Veduchka" - the power of Motherly Love
We invite everyone to the Jungian Club Co-Creativity Workshop on May 18 at 18.00 to together touch the healing energy of Natural Feminine Wisdom and Experience. We will also look at the symbolic aspect of maternal archetypal energy and the connection to your femininity.
Among the variety of folk twisted rag dolls that our ancestors invented many years ago, the Veduchka doll especially stands out. This is a nurse doll leading a baby in front of her. Veduchka is a type of wooden doll, characteristic of the Sergievskaya toy of the 19th century. Bright painted figures in kokoshniks depicted a nurse leading a baby in front of her.
A witch doll is a toy for a child, a decoration for the home, and a talisman. By the way, you can make such a protector not only for a girl, but also for a boy: in this case, the head of the child doll will need to be decorated not with braids, but with a hat, and instead of a dress, sew pants with a shirt.
Veduchka is an image of a woman with a child who has recently started walking and who is closely connected with his mother. She supports him, teaches him to take his first steps, holds him tightly by the hands, guides him through life and protects him.
This doll is distinguished by a special design: it uses one twist for two - the hands of mother and child form a single whole. This is a symbol of their close connection, unity, intimacy, love and continuity of generations.
It is believed that every mother should make a witch for her child herself, with her own hands (after all, this doll is the embodiment of her love and care) - then the amulet will be stronger and the protection more reliable.
The concept of leading by the hand or by the hands contains both direct and figurative meaning. On the one hand, the child needs bodily assistance in order to move through the physical densities of this world. On the other hand, the child needs help showing the way not over bumps and bumps, but along a straight path. And even if you ever have to take a detour or fall into a hole, then to know how to make this detour or how to get out of the hole. That is, the child needs to learn how to live in this world, which is what the wise Veduchka teaches.
The leader passes on to the child her knowledge of how to get along with this world, explaining its laws - natural and social. It is a symbol of the continuity of generations. Once upon a time, the Veduchka-mentor also passed on vital knowledge to her, now she passes it on, and then her student will pass it on.
Veduchka from the words “I lead”, “I drive”, “to lead”, “I know”. A leader is a knowledgeable caretaker who reverently and lovingly helps her student learn about herself and the world around her. And indeed, here we see with our own eyes the image of a woman leading a child.
For me, this doll is a symbol of a mother, a mentor, a nanny who teaches a small, unreasonable child to walk, or simply to live. This can only be a certain period in the life of a growing person. Then, having learned to walk, he will walk himself, without stumbling, and will be able to choose his own path in life. But at the beginning of his life he needs an assistant, even a friend, who is always there, will support him, won’t let him fall, will help him get up.
Since ancient times, such a guardian has been made by a woman in order to be a wise, sensitive, attentive mother who would understand her child and be able to bring him into life. The Veduchka doll is an amulet that leads to life. The amulet symbolizes the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The Veduchka doll is a symbol of the continuity of generations, maternal care and love. Mom guides her daughter through life, teaches her all the wisdom of life. With the power of his love he protects from troubles and misfortunes. Today this can be the image of not only a mother, but also an aunt, a mentor, a godmother - a person who helps make decisions and follow the right path. This is also the image of a person (not necessarily a relative) providing support at the right time.
This is the Guardian Angel in human incarnation.
“Leader in life” is adult Wisdom and Life Experience, unconditional Love for the baby and Protection from falls... The baby, in turn, is also a support for “Leader in life”, a kind of “engine” - pulls forward for growth and development in life .
It is about feminine strength and an inexhaustible source of energy, about our connection with those who came before us and will come after us. About the Big One, which is behind the Little One, and about the Little One, behind which there is always a Big One.
The peculiarity of this doll is that the hands of Veduchka and the baby are one single roll. This symbolizes the inextricable connection of generations, and the strong support of the elder to the younger, and a single energy like Love and Understanding. The Veduchka doll can be a toy for a child, a decoration for the home, and a talisman. It is believed that every mother should make a Veduchka for her child herself, with her own hands (after all, this doll is the embodiment of her love and care) - then the amulet will be stronger and the protection more reliable. And also remember, the more love and warmth you put into your future guardian, the stronger her magical power will be.
In the process of making a doll, think that you will be a good mother, that you will be wise, caring, sensitive, gentle. If you dream of having more children in the family, then decorate the doll with a long apron. It is very important to say the right words when creating a talisman. You can say whatever you see fit, or use ready-made conspiracies. Remember, this is your personal amulet. And if most ritual dolls can be made for someone or given to a specific person, then you must make this keeper yourself for yourself and your child.
“Leading through life” will be useful both for a young mother, with the wish of Patience and Parental Wisdom, and for “adult” parents - once they led you in life, and now you, being a support, help them “go and not fall” through life. Veduchka is a reflection of the inner wise Femininity, both in men and women, regardless of their marital status and whether they have children.
We all strive for harmony. Including harmonious relationships. First of all, with loved ones. But the eternal lack of time, resentment, and pride do not allow us to build just such a relationship. Sometimes it seems unimportant, and then simply impossible, because loved ones are no longer around. To love, to accept your loved ones, to have time to say the main words - that’s what’s important!!!! Mother, grandmother, daughter are the closest people in the family. First, our mothers and grandmothers support and help us, then we help and support them and teach our children to take their first steps. How important it is to preserve the memory of the family!
The Veduchka doll is a symbol of the continuity of generations, maternal care and love. In ancient times, this doll was made by a woman in order to be a wise and understanding mother, to understand the needs of her child, and to bring him to life. It was also made by daughters to strengthen the spiritual connection with their mother and grandmother. Sometimes there are moments in life: children who have already grown up, when you really want to support and help. This doll has a close connection with her mother. The child and mother have the same hands (this is a symbol of close connection, unity, intimacy, love and continuity of generations.
We invite everyone to the Jungian Club Co-Creativity Workshop on May 18 at 18.00 to together touch the healing energy of Natural Feminine Wisdom and Experience. We will also look at the symbolic aspect of maternal archetypal energy and the connection to your femininity.
jungianclub.com Based on materials from Svetlana Dedkova
Required tools and materials
To make a talisman you will need a large piece of white linen fabric.
From it you need to make several flaps for the body and head of Veduchka (dimensions are indicated for a product with a height of about 19 cm):
- the body of the mother figure is 36x75 cm, the head is 18x18 cm;
- child’s body – 16x20 cm, head – 13x13 cm;
- common hand - 6x30 cm.
When the patterns for the figures are ready.
Next you need to take multi-colored scraps of cotton fabric for clothing:
- mother's shirt - 20x20 cm, underskirt - 14x20 cm, sundress skirt - 14x36 cm, sundress straps - 3.5x16 cm (2 parts);
- women's scarf - a triangular cut with a base of 36 cm and a height of 15 cm;
- apron - cuts 5.5x13.5 cm and 5x12.5 cm;
- girls' shirts - 14x14 cm, sundress skirts - 7x19 cm, straps - 3x8 cm (2 parts), shoes - circles with a diameter of 4 cm (2 parts).
Scheme for making the figurine.
During the work process, you will need additional materials intended for shaping and decorating the doll:
- a skein of white and red yarn;
- satin ribbons for belts and braids;
- beads or beads for beads;
- lace for decorating clothes (optional).
Natural yarn is used as filler.
In addition, you will need scissors (they are not used for making a doll, but will be needed when creating a shirt) and a wooden comb.
Master class “Folk doll Veduchka”
| Complexity: | average |
| Working hours: | 5 o'clock |
Veduchka
- mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, and possibly a stepmother or teacher, that is, the woman who leads the child by the hand.
The concept of leading by the hand or by the hands contains both direct and figurative meaning. On the one hand, the child needs bodily assistance in order to move through the physical densities of this world. On the other hand, the child needs help showing the way not over bumps and bumps, but on a straight path. And even if you ever have to take a detour or fall into a hole, then in order to know how to make this detour or how to get out of the hole. That is, the child needs to learn how to live in this world, which is what the wise witch teaches.
The leader passes on to the child her knowledge of how to get along with this world, explaining its laws - natural and social. It is a symbol of the continuity of generations. Once upon a time, a teacher-mentor also passed on vital knowledge to her, now she passes it on, and then her student will pass it on.
Veduchka is a knowledgeable caretaker who carefully and lovingly helps her student learn about herself and the world around her.
***
I suggest you make this wonderful doll!
To create a Veduchka doll (size: approx. 19 cm Veduchka and 9 cm girl), you will need the following tools and materials:
1. Linen or cotton threads. For example, “iris” in natural and red colors. Fig.1;
2. Sewing threads to match the color of the lace;
3. Sewing needle;
4. Scissors;
5. A piece of linen fabric - a rectangle measuring 36x75 cm for twisting the body of the leader. (The twist should be 3-4 cm in diameter. If you are using thinner or thicker fabric, you may need a longer or shorter length of the flap). Fig.1;
6. A piece of linen fabric - a square measuring 18x18 cm to form the head of the leader. Fig.1;
7. A piece of linen fabric - a rectangle measuring 6x50 cm to form the base of the ledger (for the stability of the doll);
8. A piece of linen fabric - a rectangle measuring 6x30 cm to form one common arm of the doll. Fig.1;
9. A piece of linen fabric – a rectangle measuring 16x20 cm for twisting the girl’s body. Fig.1;
10. A piece of linen fabric – a rectangle measuring 13x13 cm to form the girl’s head. Fig.1;
11. A piece of linen or cotton fabric - a rectangle measuring 20x20cm for a vest shirt. Fig.2;
12. A piece of linen or cotton fabric - a rectangle measuring 14x20cm for the underskirt of the vest. Fig.2;
13. Three pieces of cotton fabric: a rectangle measuring 14x36 cm for the sundress skirt, and two rectangles measuring 3.5x16 cm for the straps of the sundress. Fig.2;
14. Lace for finishing the bottom edge of a sundress 36 cm long;
15. Two flaps of linen fabric measuring 5.5x13.5 cm and 5x12.5 cm and cotton lace 4.5x12 cm for the apron of the vest. Fig.2;
16. A piece of cotton fabric - a triangle with a base of 36 cm and a height of 15 cm for a vedic scarf. Fig.2;
17. A piece of linen or cotton fabric - a rectangle measuring 14x14 cm for a girl’s shirt. Fig.2;
18. Three pieces of cotton fabric: a rectangle measuring 7x19 cm for a girl’s sundress skirt and two rectangles measuring 3x8 cm for the straps of a girl’s sundress. Fig.2;
19. Two pieces of cotton fabric - circles with a diameter of 4 cm for a girl’s shoes. Fig.2;
20. Plumbing wood for creating hair. Fig.1;
21. Comb with large teeth;
22. Flax tow (from sanitary flax) for shaping the heads and chest;
23. Belts about 40 and 25 cm long. The belt can be knitted, twisted or woven, made from braid or yarn;
24. Satin ribbons for braiding hair: 3 ribbons, 25 cm each;
25. Beads, beads for making beads.
Fig.1
Fig.2
Important!
No needle is used to create the doll's body and secure the clothes.
Bandage the doll and tie clothes to it as follows:
make several tight turns of the thread clockwise (away from you) and tie an even number of knots. Cut the ends of the threads at a distance of 2-3 mm from the knot. (This rule applies to the entire process of making a doll).
The needle is used minimally, only in the manufacture of the clothing itself.
Sequence of making a doll:
1. Make the body of the Veduchka: take a piece of linen fabric (36x75 cm) and fold it in half lengthwise; then twist it tightly clockwise, away from you; at the very end of the twist, fold the edge inward approx. 2-3 cm. The result is a twist - a cylinder with a diameter of approx. 3 cm and height approx. 18 cm.
2. Tie the twist in 3 places with several turns of thread and tie an even number of knots at the waist, neck and legs. Tie knots at the back in the center of the twist.
Pre-comb the sanitary linen with a large-toothed comb. Use the flax itself to create the hair of the doll, and the resulting tow to form the head. Wind the tow around the top of the twist clockwise.
3. Take a square piece of flap (18 x 18 cm), fold it in half diagonally and wrap it around the frayed twist.
4. Tie a twist with thread at neck level with a few turns of thread and tie an even number of knots at the back in the middle of the back.
5. Form the veduchka's chest from the fringe: place the flock under the central end of the flap forming the head, fold the edges of the flap inward, tie the thread under the breast with several turns clockwise and secure with an even number of knots at the back in the middle of the back.
6. Using red thread, make a protective cross on the doll’s chest. Tie the thread with an even number of knots on the left side at waist level.
7. Make a common hand for the leader and the girl: take a flap of linen (6 x 30 cm), fold it six times with the edges inward. Bandage your hand at the wrist level in 4 places.
8. Place your hand on the body of the leader and tie it at neck level. Then bend your arm down.
9. Take a piece of fabric (16 x 20 cm) and twist the girl’s body. Secure the ends of the twist, forming the legs with a few turns of the thread.
10. Bend the twist in half, tie it at neck level, forming a head, “put it on” in the center of the common arm, and secure it on the arm, wrapping the twist at waist level.
11. Shape the girl's head: wrap the tow around the top of the twist.
12. Take a square flap (13 x 13 cm), wrap it around your head and secure it at neck and waist level, folding the lower edges inward. Make a protective cross with red thread.
13. Take a square flap for the Veduchka shirt (20 x 20 cm), fold it in half diagonally and in half again. Make a cutout for the head. Use a needle to gather the edges of the cutout onto the thread, leaving long ends of the threads.
14. Put the flap over your head, pull the edges of the neckline around the neck and tie it so that the edges are inside, that is, under the shirt. Secure the threads at the back.
15. Wrap your arms in the sleeves and secure the sleeves at wrist level with a few turns of thread.
16. Fold the lower edges of the flap forming the shirt inward, tie at waist level with several turns of thread and secure with an even number of knots.
17. We dress the girl’s shirt in the same way.
18. Make the straps of the Veduchka and girls sundresses: take 4 rectangular pieces (3.5 x 16 and 3 x 8 cm), fold them 4 times, with the edges inward, each.
19. Place the straps crosswise at chest and back level. Secure under the breast with a few turns of thread and an even number of knots.
20. Put on the underskirt of the veduchka: take a rectangular flap (14 x 20 cm), fold it approx. 2 cm top edge, wrap it around the body of the doll so that the smell is at the back center of the back. Secure at waist level.
21. Make shoes for the girl: take two round pieces (D=4cm), gather the edges with a thread, pull them together, put them on her feet and secure them with a few turns of the thread.
22. Put the sarafan skirt on the veduchka: take a rectangular flap (14 x 36 cm), sew a lace needle back with a seam along the bottom edge, attach the skirt to the body of the veduchka and fold the upper edge of the flap to the wrong side, so that the skirt fits in length, that is was right up to the “floor”. Gather the folded upper edge onto a thread at a distance of 1 cm from the edge. Tie the skirt to the body at waist level, wrapping it in the back center of the back.
23. Take a piece of fabric (7 x 19 cm) and dress the girl’s sundress skirt in the same way.
24. Dress the leader in an apron: make a three-layer apron, layering scraps on top of each other and lace on top; tie the apron at waist level, securing it with a few turns of thread and an even number of knots, bending it over. Tie knots in the center under the apron itself.
25. Fold the apron right side out. Twist or weave a belt approx. 40 cm for Veduchka and approx. 25 cm for girls. Wrap it 2 times around the dolls' waist and tie 2 knots on the left side.
26. If your doll is unsteady, increase its base. Take a flap of linen (6 x 50 cm), fold it 3 times and wind it clockwise onto the bottom of the twist of the leader, secure it with a few turns of thread and tie it with an even number of knots.
27. Make a hairstyle for the lady: take already combed flax and tie the fibers in the middle with a thin strand of flax, forming a parting for the future hairstyle; distribute the flax according to the shape of your head, then place it on your head and secure it at neck level with a few turns of thread, tying an even number of knots on the back side.
28. Select a small strand on the right side and braid it. Wrap the braid around your head. Secure on the opposite side by wrapping threads around the neck.
29. Divide your hair into 2 parts and braid 2 braids. Secure the braids at the ends with ribbons or tie with flax fibers from the braid itself. Trim any excess flaxen tails.
30. Do the girl’s hair in the same way. Braid one braid.
31. Put a scarf on the leader’s head: take a triangular piece (15 x 36 cm), fold its long edge inward and tie it on the leader’s head, tying the ends of the scarf from the back.
32. Make beaded beads, tie them with the long ends of the threads from the back, under the hair. Tie a headband (bandage around the head) for the girl.
The Veduchka doll is ready!
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How to make a Veduchka doll yourself
The doll needs to be made slowly, forming every detail step by step. The master class below will help with this.
Head and torso
First, you need to make the basis of the protective doll - the mother's body. To do this, the prepared piece of fabric is folded in half lengthwise and rolled into a tight roll. In the central, upper and lower parts it is tied with threads.
First, the head and body of the doll are made.
Now they proceed to the head: light yarn is wound tightly in the upper part of the body, forming a ball from it. It is covered with a flap intended for the head and secured at the bottom with threads.
Long hair is made from light threads, tied in the center and tied to the head. The hair is combed, braided and decorated with ribbons. If desired, the doll can have any hairstyle.
Breast
The leader symbolizes motherhood and fertility, so she should have lush breasts. To create it, 2 pieces of yarn are rolled into balls and placed at chest level, covered with the remaining material from the head and secured below with threads.
A protective cross is made from red yarn on the chest.
Skirt and hands
In order for Veduchka to be placed on a flat surface, she is given an underskirt. It can be formed either from the white fabric from which the body is made, or from colored fabric.
The flap intended for the skirt should be folded 2 cm at the top, and then wrapped several times around the lower part of the female figure. The smell should come from the back center. The petticoat is secured at the waist with thread.
Mother and child will have one hand between them, so they will need 1 long piece. It is rolled into a roll, connecting the ends, and secured at the back of the mother’s neck with a thread.
In order for the doll to stand, she needs to make a petticoat.
Hands are lowered, they should represent a circle.
At the level of the wrists of the mother and child, it is bandaged 4 times with light threads (2 for each pair of hands).
Child
The fabric prepared for the child's torso is rolled up and folded in half. At a level of 2 cm from the top of the twist, tie it with thread. This is where the head will be. It is formed in the same way as the mother's.
The blank figurine of a child is put on the arms (circumference) head up, tied at waist level, then a protective cross is made with red yarn.
The child’s figurine is formed in the same way.
The child's legs are created from the lower ends of the twists by winding them with thread at a height of 1 cm from the base.
Cloth
When the figures of the woman and child are ready, you can start creating clothes:
- First they make a mother's shirt. To do this, a small circle is cut out in the center of the fabric prepared for it. The head is threaded through it. The sides of the square are turned so that its corners are at hand level. They are folded inward and secured to the wrists with thread. The sleeves are ready. The shirt is tied at the waist with another thread.
- A children's shirt is formed in the same way.
- Then they make the straps for the mother and daughter's sundresses: strips of fabric are folded into stripes, tucking the edges inward. Place 2 straps on top of both shirts, securing them at the waist with threads.
- The upper skirt is put on the female figure according to the same principle as the lower one. Fix it on the belt with thread.
- An apron is made from 2 flaps over the skirt and tied at the waist with yarn. A belt made of lace strip or satin ribbon is put on top.
- The mother's head is decorated with a scarf and tied in a knot at the back. Beads are worn around the neck.
- Form a sundress skirt for a girl and decorate it with a belt at the waist.
- On children's feet, circles of fabric that will become shoes are fixed with threads.
When the figures of the woman and child are ready, clothes are made for them.
Slavic doll amulet – Veduchka
Rag folk dolls have long been made specifically for some ritual, for example, for the birth of a child, for marriage, a wishing doll to which a wish was made, a doll for wealth and fertility. We will tell you how to make such a doll with your own hands.
The Veduchka or Leading to Life doll was made in ancient times by a woman in order to be a wise and understanding mother, to understand the needs of her child, and to bring him into life.
Like all Slavic dolls, amulets are made in a clean, needle-free manner. Under no circumstances should needles be inserted into the doll's body. Therefore, if you are basting or cutting clothes, do it not on the doll. So, let's begin. Previously, a birch log was used for the base of the doll, but given the fact that I live in a metropolis, I have nowhere to get it. As a base, I use a piece of pressed paper tube from a tablecloth; alternatively, you can roll up a magazine.
Whatever one may say, it’s still made of wood.
Next, I measure the fabric in such a way that it can be wrapped around the base three times, and leave 4-5 cm on each side in order to tuck it inward.
Then I take a red iris thread and wrap it around my twist. All amulet dolls must be dangled with red thread. You need to wind it on your own. I tie it in three places.
Next you need to make the head. To begin, measure a piece of fabric measuring 25 x 25 cm. There are masters who make a head out of wool, but it is more difficult and over time it can cause moths. I make it from cotton wool. You need to make a tight ball.
Find the center of the flap by folding it 4 times and pinching it in the middle.
Now place the center of the flap on the center of the head formed from cotton wool, and as if tightening it with both hands, pull the fabric down. Then wrap your head tightly to the base.
test
Next we make the chest, according to the same principle as the head, only of the appropriate size. For the chest, I measured two flaps 15 by 15 cm. The size of the flap depends on the size of the breast. You can use any fabric, because... in any case, you will attach it under the main one.
Making an underskirt. Measure a piece of fabric from the chest to the bottom + 2cm for the hem. Make a basting, gather the skirt into pleats and tie at the front. The underskirt should not be too full.
Now you need to make the hands. Veduchka has long arms, because... they are shared with the child. Measure the fabric and make a tight twist from the base fabric. Wrap the twist tightly to your body. Don’t forget that everything in the amulet doll needs to be wound away from you.
Cut off the excess from your hands. Next, following the principle of the underwear, make the main skirt, but fluffy. Let's start with the child. Make a twist of dark fabric, fold it in half - this is the height of your child.
Pass it through mom's hands. You already know how to make a head. Make the child's head the appropriate size and tape it to his feet. We have common hands. You can wear a shirt. The size of the flap for a shirt depends on your desire for its pomp and sleeve length. We fold the flap 4 times, make a cross-shaped incision, this is the neck. And oblique notches under the sleeves.
Next, we put on the shirt, carefully fold everything in and tape it up. Actually, that's all. For mom, don’t forget to make a headband and wear a scarf.
Next is your imagination.
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How to charge and activate
For the Veduchka to become a talisman, it must be charged with positive thoughts and then activated.
To activate while working on the doll, a woman should call for help from Mother Rozhana, the patroness of family well-being.
You can address it in your own words or by reading the plot:
“Three-light Rozhana Mother. Do not let our family become impoverished, sanctify the wombs of all our wives with your grace-filled power. Now and ever, from circle to circle. So it was, so it is and so it will be!”
Useful tips
The amulet should be done in a good mood. Before work, you need to throw away bad thoughts, finish all things that may distract you, turn on relaxing music and tune in to a positive mood. A woman should think lovingly about her child, imagine what a good mother she will become, how she will surround him with care, give him warmth and affection.
Bereginya is made from natural fabrics (linen, wool, cotton). It is unacceptable to use knitwear. It is important to ensure that the material does not have defects, seams or edges. If there is no new fabric, then the doll's parts can be cut out from your old things. You cannot take someone else's clothes for this purpose.
It is important that the finished doll looks neat. Her body should be dense, symmetrical, strong and solid. Do not allow threads to stick out from the craft. The veduchka will become a protector only if the craftswoman who made it likes it.
What is Veduchka
There are several versions of why this doll was made. One of the most beautiful is that Veduchka symbolizes an adult relative leading a baby into this world. She conveys her knowledge and is an inexhaustible source of light energy.
While earlier versions were carved from wood, later they were made from fabric. This is understandable, because the making of Veduchka should be done by a young mother, and it is easier for a woman to work with fabric than with wood. Every home where a child has recently appeared should have such a doll. Created by the hands of a loving mother, it helps the child grow up healthy and happy.
Such dolls cannot be bought or given as a gift, except in cases of inheritance among blood relatives. For example, from mother to daughter.
To make a Veduchka you do not need to have any talent or special skills. But there are several nuances.
Important rules for creating this amulet:
- It is prohibited to use scissors during work; the fabric must be torn by hand;
- you cannot interrupt while working, you need to have 4-5 hours of time when no one will distract you, the doll is created in one go;
- You should start work in a good mood, and in the process, say out loud your desires (I will become a good mother, etc.).
Veduchka's appearance differs from the usual dolls. She is depicted as an adult woman wearing a headscarf and elegant Slavic clothing. She almost always has beads. In front of her, she holds the hands of a child or two, depending on the number of children in the family. Veduchka's hands are inextricably intertwined with the baby's hands. They are made from one piece of fabric. The child must stand in front of the adult doll. You cannot place the child on the side or behind, because the whole meaning of the amulet will be lost.
The faces of the dolls must be clean, without embroidered eyes, noses and mouths.
