What You’ll Need
to Begin
Soap carving can be simple and inexpensive. You’ll need:
• A large bar of Ivory soap – Ivory's shape and texture are ideal
for carving
• A paring knife
• 1-2 orangewood sticks used for manicures
• Pencil and paper for sketching
• Optional – Large tray to hold soap chips from carving
Unwrap the soap and let it dry for a day. Scrape off the lettering and any
raised edges before beginning.
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1. Developing Your Design
Begin with a simple design. Start with solid, basic shapes with
simple cuts or extensions. Sketch your idea on paper first or
try one of these sample
patterns. |
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Sample Patterns for
Soap Carving Designs
These designs are ideal for beginners. Simply:
• Print this page and cut out the design you want to use.
• Place the design on your prepared bar of Ivory soap and trace it onto
the soap using carbon paper or a sharp pencil.
• With a little practice you’ll soon be ready to create designs of
your own! |
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2. From Design to Soap
Carving
• If you have a clear mental picture of your idea or have carved before,
you can begin by carving directly on the soap.
• Or, you can use the orangewood stick to outline a rough sketch on each
surface before you carve.
• Beginners may want to sketch or use a pre-existing
pattern on paper and trace it onto the soap. |
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3. Begin with Rough
Cuts
The actual carvings begin with rough cuts that remove the large parts of the
soap not necessary for your design.
• Place the soap on the table or tray.
• If you are right-handed, hold the soap with your left hand and start
cutting at the upper right-hard corner. (If left-handed, use the opposite hand.)
• Leave about 1/4" margin beyond your outlined sketch to allow for
mistakes and more detailed work later.
• Cut clear through the bar, removing excess soap all the way around.
• ALWAYS CUT AWAY ONLY SMALL PIECES OR SLICES. Soap often breaks if cut
in big chunks. |
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4. Adding the Details
• After the first cuts, you may find it more comfortable to use the knife
as if peeling a potato. Continue to stay 1/8" to 1/4" away from your
sketch guidelines to allow for finer work later.
• As you work, keep turning the soap, always keeping the shape of the piece
in mind. Step back from time to time to look
at the entire piece.
• Watch your high points -- those that jut out farthest from the surface
-- and your low points -- those farthest in.
• Carve gradually from the high points toward the deepest cuts. Your knife
point is useful for this.
• Don't try to finish any one part in detail before another.
• When the piece is almost finished, smooth rough edges with the knife’s
edge and mark in details like eyes or ears with the knife tip or an orangewood
stick. |
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5. Polishing
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Allow your sculpture to dry for a day or two.
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Then, rub it with a soft paper napkin, being careful not to
break off corners or high points.
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Finish by rubbing it gently with finger tops or palm.
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