These ladies started as a piece of wood about 12 inches long and 4-1/2 inches wide
the demonstrated dimensions are a start. Use your imagination to expand, reduce, or changethe object.
embellishments will be discussed as time permits.
Limbs this small will ofter resist splitting, larger wooden sections can be split for blanks, or lumber can be glued up
Reduced to a 4-1/2 inch diam. cylinder, the top is at the tailstock and the neck cut is made 15% of the way from the top (here 1-1/2 in.) to a depth to about 1/2 of the diameter of the blank.
Similarly the waist is cut to the same depth 3/5 (or 60%) of the way from the top. In this demo that is a 2-1/4 in. waist and a 2-1/2 inch collar. Each end has a line drawn across it parallel to the other allowing 3 centers on each end
While mounted on center make these cuts
Allowing room at the headstock end to create a tenon for your chuck (mine accepts 1 inch deep), make a convex , then concave cut from the hemline and blending into the waist
Also create a narrow shoulder cut down to the collar depth leaving the top of the block alone for holding strength.
Now make a concave cut from midway between the neck and waist to blend into the waist
Now move centers to opposite corners on lines.
Above the waist remove the wood from the neck to the waist blending the cut with the waist
Below the waist remove the wood frow the edge to the waist and blend the cut into the waist.
Moving to the unused set of centers, carefully remove a small amount of wood to define the top of the breast area do not remove too much wood.
A tenon is turned for your chuck using the original centers and the block is mounted. A steadyrest helps but is not required.
The hem is slightly tucked under. the top is turned to a funnel. A 1-1/4 inch forstner bit hollows deep. There is some hollowing of the upper body until the back becomes thin
The high collar is formed with a saw cut and a bit of power sculpting releases the female form defining the shoulders, bosom, rib area, and neckline.
It is now a sanding job with dremel drum sanders, riffle files, rasps, disc sanders, hand sanding, and jack knives
The armholes can be bored out and the edges carved thin, clothing, buttons, pockets, etc. can be added.
Techniques may be employed to paint or decorate.
holes can be drilled in the collar for earrings, Hooks or
dowels can be used at armhole locations for jewelry.
A tall stand can be used to allow for necklace lengths to hang