miniature paper hens : free tutorial

miniature hen tutorial

Let’s make tiny chickens! So little and just the right size for tiny rag doll world. They are quick and easy to make and it’s fun to work on a bunch at once. I’m using crepe paper from a roll. Streamers work too but I think crepe paper from rolls and sheets is easier to work with. 

The hens are truly tiny, only about 2 inches from tail to beak. If you require a bigger little chicken I think it would be easy to scale them up.

lets’s make tiny paper hens!

miniature chicken tutorial

*This post contains affiliate links – meaning I get a small commission of you purchase though the links. The affiliate links are marked with an asterisk.

download the template here

You will also need:

  • one inch *styrofoam ball
  • *crepe paper – sheets or streamers – sheets are easy to work with I think
  • glue stick – I love the *uhu stick for paper
  • scissors
  • optional – manicure scissors – super helpful for making little cuts
  • acrylic paint and brushes
  • white glue – elmer’s is good
  • a fine tip black marker

1. Cut out and trace the two tiny template pieces onto cardboard.

2. Cut two triangles into the flat top of the head to make the comb.

3. Push the pointed bottom of the head piece into the ball.

4. Push it in until the bottom corners are inside the ball.

5. On the opposite side of the ball push the pointed bottom of the tail into the ball.

6. Push it in until the corners are inside the ball. Your piece should look like this. Paint a little white glue along the edge where the cardboard meets the ball. Let this dry.

7. Paint the cardboard the same color as your crepe paper.  After the base paint is dry paint the comb area with red and the beak with yellow. It’s already pretty chickeny isn’t it.

8. Stretch your crepe paper – streamers aren’t that stretchy but sheets and rolls of crepe paper are. Cut two strips – one inch wide and about nine inches long each.

9. Fold each strip matching up the edges – the folded piece should be about two inches long.

10. Clip into one side with your scissors creating pointy fringe.

11. Unfold the strips and cut off a two inch piece.

crepe paper hen tutorial

12. Apply glue stick to the tail and wrap the two inch fringe piece around it. Use a little more glue to tack down the end of the paper.

13. Let that dry for a few minutes. While it’s drying cut 8 one inch pieces and 6 half inch pieces.

14. We’ll feather the hen from the back to the front, beginning with the one inch pieces of fringed crepe. Apply glue to a one inch piece – just to the non- fringed portion.

15. Apply it to the bottom – the edge should be about one quarter inch from the edge of the tail cover paper.

16. Glue another piece to the top.

17. And glue a one inch piece to each side.

18. Glue the next one inch piece to the bottom of the hen about one quarter inch away from the edge of the previous row – the fringe should overlap – concealing the edge of the first row.

19. Glue another one inch piece to the top.

20. And the last two one inch pieces on each side.

21. Apply glue stick to the un-fringed portion of a half inch piece. Match the edge and  corner of the paper to the comb and beak and glue in place – wrapping the back corner around the head.

22. Glue another half inch piece to the front under the beak.

23. And another half inch piece to the back just under the comb.

24. Round the corners of two of the half inch pieces.

25. Glue one to each side of the head.  Your chicken should be completely feathered – shape and smooth the hen a little with your fingers.

26. Optional – shape the tail by trimming it from the bottom.

27. Use the fine marker to make dots for eyes and put a little red paint under the beak on each side.

dollhouse hen diy

Hello little hen!!

If you make hens I’d love to see! Please use #missthistlesociety and #annwoodpattern on instagram or send images to info at ann wood handmade dot com.

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miniature hen tutorial

22 Comments

  1. alicia Ybarra Berry

    Thank you very much!! I cannot wait to make it . I have been making pin dolls, they are adorable. My Granddaughter came to my house and saw them and she wanted one, but she said: she will be alone, she needs a friend I told her to take 2. She loves small things like me. She is going to love the chicken!!!!

  2. Your chickens are darling! I finally made one of your tiny dolls while quarantined and working from home (march-June). I have to say, as much as I like tiny, it was almost too tiny for me! I’m in awe of what you do so often! I used a tiny bit of nylon stocking for her hair, which was easy to manipulate. But I think my small work may be bit bigger in future, lol. I made a small (but much larger!) Annie type doll for my greatniece for her first birthday in June…that was a lot easier for me and I still grumbled over making the small dress. I spent the Spring months finishing appliqued quilt blocks and now that it’s been so hot/humid, I’ve done a bit more painting. Hope you are settled in to your new home and loving it!

  3. These look so fun to make. Now I’m compelled to dig around my studio in search of crepe paper!

  4. What CUTE little chickies!!! I love them!! Thanks for sharing!!!

  5. Oh my gosh – what about little ducks, and turkeys…

  6. Lori France

    I love these little chickens……Thank you for the free pattern…..I will have to make some of these cuties!!

  7. These are so cute! Thank you so much. Can’t wait to make some!

  8. I might try to make some for Christmas Ornaments for my kids, who I call chickens. They are amassing a collection of chicken things! Thanks for a very cute item and very nice tutorial.

  9. Marga van Haren

    Ooh thanks, it is so cute I love the little chickens
    Chickens and pigs hummmm maybe second idea?

  10. Oh aren’t they lovely! What is it about chickens that is so loveable! Thank you so much for sharing.

  11. Ruth Hoefert

    These are so cute! I will be trying this. Thanks for sharing, you are very generous.

  12. Michele T

    Oh my gosh! These are adorable! You have a wonderful, creative imagination!

  13. Bernadette

    Génial !!!
    Je fais toujours avec la maison de retraite un atelier “Pâques “et ça, c’est une super idée
    Aussi changer de couleur, une poule rousse et noire et blanche !!!!
    Merci.

  14. Janet MacDonald

    Tiny chickens! How cute are they!! I love chickens and yours are adorable! When I saw these, I thought, “Hmm, could try making these, then some crows?” I love crafting, and your free tutorial is perfect!

  15. Sie sind wundervoll deine kleinen Hühner. Sie sind perfekt so klein, Vielen Dank für so viel Arbeit und das du das mit uns teilst.

  16. Dawn J Brick

    Lots of fun ideas. Your art makes me feel good Thank you, so much. Dawn B.

  17. Susan Shamekh

    thank you so much for sharing! Love this project!

  18. Teresa White

    I love these little hens!! I will try to make some.

  19. Tina Kearney

    Just came across your tutorial. How adorable your little hens are . Thankyou for sharing.

Comments are closed.