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how_to_make_a_dollhouse

Page history last edited by Linda McD 4 years, 2 months ago

Tips, hints, ideas, and instruction for beginners starting a miniature dollhouse, room box or diorama.

This is a page for the absolute beginner, planning their first project.

So you are new to the dollhouse hobby. Take a look at DIY tricks of the trade and tools of the trade. Short on cash or prefer to use materials on hand? Check out the trash minis pages.

Making a dollhouse for your kids? look at kids corner for ideas to involve them in the fun.

Also, see dollhouses built by oneself, dollhouses re-done, Greenleaf for tab and slot dollhouses

This is the place for the picture

Tips, hints, ideas, and instruction for beginners starting a miniature dollhouse, room box or diorama.

Links to miniature projects

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photo albums, blog posts, web pages

Blogs

Blogs concentrating on assembling a dollhouse or categories/labels about it in blogs

Mountfield 1947

Tynietown - Susan Grimshaw wrote articles for Nutshell News and other magazines. The site contains her very interesting collection of antique dollhouses and miniatures, describing in great detail how she restored them. It also includes her wonderful contemporary collection of well-known artisans since the 80’s til now, informative auction reports and some show reports (notebook tab). Straightforward and experienced opinions.

Groups

Discussion groups, forums (or forum categories) and photo groups dedicated to assembling a dollhouse.

Dollhouse Workshop and Builders Forum

Supplies for sale

Supplies needed for assembling a dollhouse.

Dollhouse Junction - building components

Heritage Laserworks - wood trim

Miniatures for sale

Do you have a section for assembling a dollhouse in your shop? Add a direct link to that item here.

Books

Books about miniature assembling a dollhouse (also books with chapters about them)

A Beginners Guide to the Dolls House Hobby - by Jean Nisbet

The Big Book of a Miniature House - by Christine-Léa Frisoni

Creative Dollhouses from Kits - by Robert Schleicher

Dolls House Inapirations - by Jean Nisbet

The World of Miniatures - by Sarah Walkley

Instructions for miniatures

Miniature printables

Wallpapers

Wallpapers that go well with assembling a dollhouse

Other Printies

Book/magazine covers related to assembling a dollhouse

Videos

YouTube videos about miniature projects related to this subject

Research/ Inspiration

Tips/Hints

label all those parts!
Read the instructions carefully and dry fit the project so you can see how it goes together
Join a miniature digest or group, ask questions
Prime both sides of wood or foam core to prevent warping, and to make wallpapering easier. (If using a diecut kit, use a roller to prime before removing pieces from the sheet.)
Some prime after assembly, feeling that those glue joints have a stronger bond without being sealed first. But priming first saves getting paint up arms/hair etc.
Wallpapering back walls and ceilings before building also makes sense, but paper the side walls once built to make sure there aren't any gaps down the edges.
Priming MDF before gluing is not a good idea. Glue must be soaked up by the two components and you will seal them by priming so that bonding will be far less strong.
BUT priming the walls before papering definitely is a good thing.
First, do the wiring, then the ceilings and work your way down. Before papering, paste the MDF with wallpaper-paste, then run off and play, and stick the paper in the next day. Paint may often need two layers or even three.
If you start by wiring and then decorating outside; it looks better when a house is "dressed up"!!
Be careful sanding - a little goes a long way!