Still Sewing

Still sewing - not much time to tell about it.

Since my last post I've completed an Elizabethan Jacket for my sister's Mardi Gras costume, a quilted zip around pocket organizer (which I hate and gave away), lots of sachets (Christmas gifts), 4 Roman shades for my living room, repeated repairs to my sofa slipcovers (due to puppy), a gorgeous pair of retro satin pajamas and more I can't remember. 

What motivated me to post, however, is starting (actually re-starting) another doll.  This one is a vintage pattern - 1930s or 1940s I think - called "Rainy Day Girl." She's got the beautiful sculpted head like other dolls I've made.  I started her about 2 years ago and she's been sitting one-eyed in a coffee mug by sewing machine ever since.

My son has voiced his concern over the creep factor.  I finally picked her back up today, the goal being to give her a second eye.

I love sewing - most every kind of sewing - but there is something about making a doll that is more.  I love the hand work.  It's very slow (2nd eye took a little less than an hour) but I never feel anxious or bored or like I need to move on.  It's a creation that's different from clothes or crafts or window treatments.

I keep the doll in my lap while I stitch.  I think it's lovely and I get very attached to it as it begins to take shape.  I did look down at one point, though, and think it must look a little Franken-creepy to an observer.  See photo below:

 I don't think I've done a very detailed post on embroidering doll faces yet - I'd point you to Jill Haymor's Storybook Toys book first, but here are a couple tips:

• Mark your facial features with water-soluble marker
• Cut a much longer length of embroidery thread than you'll think you'll need
• Use one strand - it gives you better control and detail even though it takes longer
• Use a doll needle (big, long 2 or 3 inch needle) to bring it through the back of the head to ear.
• Sew a tack stitch at the ear and then bring through to the face.  Switch to your embroidery needle.
• Be careful to stop embroidering while you still have a long enough length of floss to finish through the ear and back of the head like you started.
• Pull up slightly on the threads at the back of the head and snip them flush.  They'll disappear into the doll.

Now, sweet Agatha (yes, she's got a name now) has to lovely pale blue eyes with flecks of gold.  Pupils to come.

Make something beautiful!
Jen

More Doll Making Adventures

I am so inspired by the projects in the book, Storybook Toys by Jill Hamor.  I'm planning all sorts of dolls and other toys from this amazing book.
I am working on a few things to send to my niece, Anastasia, who just turned one.  She's my only niece on my side, so that makes her extremely special.

Here is the doll I am working on for her.  I went for a more Japanese cuteness style - which I love.  The pinky-lavender hair is soooo pretty and sweet.  I did a low bun hair style - reminiscent of Princess Leia (a special sci-fi detail my brother will appreciate).  The eyes are solid black instead of colored irises for a more stylized, cartoonish look. 

Once the head/body is sewn and stuffed, face embroidered, and hair completed the doll is really about 80 percent complete.  Of all these steps the hair takes me the longest (4-6 hours) and hurts my fingers the most.  I have some excellent callouses building up on the tips of my pointer and middle finger in my right hand (I prefer the callous to thimbles - I hate thimbles:  fumbling awkward horrible things).

 I love working with yarn for hair.  I can't knit or crochet so this fulfills my desire to play with beautiful yarns and squish those pretty soft yarn balls.  This yarn is Rowan Creative Focus Worsted, 75% wool, 25% alpaca.  The color is called "soft pink."

Make something beautiful!
Jen

Doll Making - Claire

I set a goal at the beginning of this year to sew everyday.  So far I haven't missed a day.   I'm amazed at how that simple goal has improved my productivity.  So why, then, haven't I had any completed projects to post in several weeks?

Well, my latest project is a doll.  A doll that involves a large process of learning, practicing and perfecting techniques before assembling my "real" doll.

I have been collecting dolls since I was a little girl.  I have a beautiful collection that, alas, has been stored away in boxes since my son was born since he took over the room I used to have for them.  They are also all porcelain - not a very child friendly material.

When I saw this book,
 
I felt my romance with dolls rekindle and I've been planning and practicing so I could make my own beautiful vintage inspired cloth doll.

I'm sharing an "in process" photo.  This is Claire.  She's a passionate Scottish girl with auburn hair and hazel eyes. 

I have loved every part of constructing her so far, from slowly stitching the tricky curves of her head and face, to patiently stuffing and stuffing and shaping and stuffing her head and body - it feels like sculpting.  I used real wool to stuff her.  It has a very sweet lanolin smell and packs very tightly for nice shaping.

The techniques for embroidering her face are excellent.  I highly recommend this book for it's excellent and detailed instructions.

I hope to have more progress photos in a few days (like arms and legs :))

Make something beautiful!
Jen