Arts of Delight

  I follow the Izannah Walker dollmaker Dixie Redmond on Facebook. Recently she wrote a post about a doll auction where five original dolls were sold. One of these was a rare boy doll by the name of John Thayer, and Dixie was allowed to photograph him close up from all angles. We are so blessed to have such an accomplished photographer and discriminating enthusiast in our midst, for these pictures are truly what any dollmaker wants to examine in a period doll. John Thayer is dressed like all little boys of the time, in a skirt, jacket and pantaloons. The fabric is a red and green plaid, sewn on the bias. He wears a linen collar with broderie anglaise scalloped edging. Dixie suggested that her group, MAIDA ( Making Antique Inspired Dolls and Accessories), might like to take on the dollmaking challenge of creating a cousin for John, using some elements from him. This idea really caught my fancy and I immediately began researching images of little boys, and boy dolls, from the mid 180...

  I have been working to finish a couple of fairy type dolls to put into Watson and Lou here in Peterborough, but they seem to sap my energy and it is a struggle to be inspired. When that happens, I turn to making  a cloth doll from a purchased pattern because I know that the making will go smoothly and the outcome will be a doll I am proud of having made. This doll was made using a Gail Wilson pattern, inspired by dolls from the past. Gail's patterns are impeccable, measured down to the millimetre, and following one precisely guarantees a good outcome. She gives instructions on how to paint the face, but I go my own way.  Here she is. I love that her shoes fit perfectly! Leather with silk ribbon ties. Ribbon from the stash of a generous friend. I add more undies than the pattern calls for. It is such a soothing time, hand sewing a chemise. Also, all the clothes are removable. It's good to use up some of my collection of mother-of-pearl buttons on her clothes.

  At the same time I was working on the Grodnertal doll, I was experimenting with making a 1:12 scale doll. One of my Etsy customers is looking for dollhouse dolls in the style of the doll she purchased. So, I thought I would give it a try and see whether I liked the size. I did a lot of research, but not enough to prevent me from having to make a few corrections when what I started with didn't work out. Her (second pair of) hands are still too big. It is not easy to sew tiny garments. Luckily, I wasn't making removable clothing. She has quite a bit of charm for someone her size. Only 5 inches. Still, I don't think that miniatures are going to be my thing.

  I am finally finished the Grodnertal style doll I was working on. Because I was so reluctant to cut into the valuable shot silk I used for her dress it took me a lot longer than usual. I made a toile for the bodice of her dress, made adjustments, cut the silk fabric, started to put it together and discovered it was too big! Had to put that bit aside and cut a smaller bodice. I see from the photos I took today that the bodice shoulders are still too wide. Dang! The dress has puff sleeves, with long sleeves tacked into the armhole for daywear. A lot of fiddling! This doll has pantalettes, chemise, dress and turban. The dress is shot silk and the turban is also silk, from a thrifted scarf. It took a lot of research to get the style of dress I wanted, and also a lot of looking at Regency portraits to have the courage to make up my own turban design. It looked like anything goes! I shaped the turban on a webbing base so that it can be removed. I really like her. She looks like she is ...

  I have been working slowly on a new Grodnertal style doll. This one has short curly hair. When I thought of the different hair, I immediately reorganized my Pinterest board with a section of original dolls wearing short hair. I was very surprised to discover there are many! I also pictured her in a turban. Sure enough, there are MANY portraits of early Regency women with short, and long, hair wearing turbans. I think I will have to reorganize that Pinterest board also. I have a picture in my mind of how the costume will look and I have picked out the fabric from my large stash of silk. The dolls parts were again made from pressing Premier stone clay into an original mould. The mould has damage made by removing the original sculpt, and I am planning to make another. In the meantime, the casts I make require a lot of fixing up. Time consuming. I have worked on other dolls while the various stages of putting together this doll are completed. Slow going. Now she is painted and sewn t...

I finished this little one today and am very pleased with her. She is made using a Gail Wilson pattern that includes directions for everything except her chemise, which I designed myself. Gail doesn't put chemises on smaller dolls because of bulk, but I like them and don't worry too much about the bulk at the waistline when the dresses are so loose. I used dyed muslin for her body, and embroidered her features, as well as making a mohair wig for her, which departs from the original instructions. I have always thought dollies with pinafores are very fetching, and bonnets add that little bit extra too! Perhaps I was too heavily influenced by my days of sewing Holly Hobbie clothes for my nieces.  Her shoes are made from glove leather, sewn by hand. Real silk ribbon laces! She wears a dress, bonnet, pinafore, shoes, stockings, chemise, pantalettes and a petticoat. A great deal of this doll's wardrobe is sewn by hand. I like the look of hand hemming, and always apply lace by han...

  This sweetie was also made with Gail Wilson's Izannah pattern, but I still couldn't get her head round enough, so she has a wig made with wool roving. The braids are the easiest style for me. Love the bows! She has the full complement of undies (batiste chemise, pantalettes, petticoat) and a period correct dress. Her face is done in coloured pencil on painted muslin. I like the effect!