Arts of Delight

I took a picture of my doll in the studio, but there wasn't enough light, so I decided to do an Etsy-ready photo shoot. Not my greatest work, but acceptable. I took a closeup of her sleeves, of which I am proud. I am delighted with the coif! On paper, the pattern for a coif looks like it will never work, but once you follow the instructions and prepare the hairstyle correctly, it really works! Many thanks to Extreme Costuming and Elizabethan Costume Page for all their explanations and images. I love those sites! I bought a beautiful silk necktie yesterday and it is inspiring me to get busy on a new doll. I can picture her  main points right now!

I knew I wanted this doll to be wearing an Elizabethan-type bodice, so back to The Tudor Tailor for a refresh on the pattern, then into my massive stash of fabric to settle on just the right one for the skirt and bodice. I had bought a linen-rayon blouse at a thrift store, and it looked the right weight and weave and colour to use for the skirt, so I cut into it and fiddled with the material for a long time, trying to arrange knife pleats, with little success. Decided to go back to cartridge pleating, since I have had good results with them and the look is in period.It made a skirt that looked the way I had envisioned, although it was a bit thick for the size of the doll. That is always a problem, getting the scale right. I have tried to make the waists of my dolls much smaller than I used to, because after all the layers the period costumes require, these little ladies have very thick waists. I guess I am still not thinking like a corset-wearing person. Making the bodice went well. C