Summertime work and weather

Tuesday July 18
I got sidetracked from my latest doll work by a request from my daughter-in-law to make a cloth doll for my granddaughter, similar to one she saw online. Since I have immersed myself in dollmaking practices, it was easy to see how I could make a doll like the example, so I made a pattern, went through my fabric stash and got right down to work. It was fun to make something so simple and uncomplicated. It came together very quickly. I decided to use my sewing machine, to make construction faster. For my grandson, I had made a very simple rag doll using a pattern from E.J. Taylor's book on dollmaking, and I had stitched it all by hand, but time was a factor, (they are coming to visit this weekend). After the doll was completed (and approved!), I was browsing through a board that Pinterest had brought to my attention, those thoughtful guys, and discovered that, had I taken the trouble to look there, I would have seen the complete pattern, free, to make the doll I had just finished. I am thinking of making a bigger one later, using the online pattern.
Spent time today on my seated polymer clay doll, securing the arms and legs to the new armature I made. Then on to wrapping it, then sewing on the outer fabric. Body, legs and arms are mostly done now. Tomorrow I have most of the day to finish the bodywork, with time out to make zucchini relish for the winter. Too bad canning always has to happen in the hottest time of the year.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Busy times

Image
  It has been a long time since I touched base with you. I get swept up in my enthusiasms and don't take the time to share what I am doing. Gosh, I don't even take the time to wash the kitchen floor! Many dolls have been made in the past few months. Here are some images of them: This little rag doll is made with my own pattern, and is stuffed with wool. These Santos Cage Dolls inspired me to learn a new skill, tinwork. There are some great videos on Youtube that show how it is done. I wanted to make something soft and cuddly, so this little needlefelted guy was next. He has been patiently waiting for his clothes for ages now. Soon!  This little articulated doll was inspired by me seeing the work of momo&cose on Pinterest. She is made of papier mache and wire joints. Papier mache is not my favourite medium because it takes so long to dry between coats, and I get impatient, but it has the charm of excusing rough modelling.  As you can see, she is sitting on the bare bones of
Read more

The making of a boy doll dress

Image
  My last post talked about the first step in designing clothing for a doll, that is, creating the under layers first and then draping a pattern over top. This post will show pictures I took while making the dress for my Izannah Walker John Thayer doll challenge. This challenge ends Feb.1 in the MAIDA dollmaking group. I have made a tutorial of the process that explains more and I will send it to anyone who is interested in having a copy. I have noticed that my instructions tend to assume some knowledge of sewing clothing, but I hope the photos make things clearer. Just contact me by clicking on the three parallel lines in the top left corner of this blog. I begin by using a shop towel to drape the shape of the bodice fronts and tracing around on the shoulder, side and mid-bodice on seamlines. Do the same for the back. Darken the outlines and cut out the shapes, leaving a rather generous seam allowance. It is easier to trim away excess than to add extra, although sticky tape is your fr
Read more

A little rag doll

Image
I am in the middle of making four Santos dolls at once and it feels overwhelming, so I turned to creating a sweet little cloth doll from my own pattern. I knew it wouldn't take too long and I needed to do something that took less mental and emotional effort.   So, here she is, looking very happy with the world!
Read more