5 posts tagged “doll”

So it's obvious I like making dolls. I like making girly, girl dolls. They seem so much more interesting and fun to make with all their lace, ribbons, bows and other frilly things. I know why I like dolls and, yes, it goes back to my childhood. I used to make dolls for my daughters but they're all grown up and so I try not to foist the dolls I make on them any more. After all, even I don't have the space to display all of the dolls I've made for myself!! LOL  But I still make dolls for myself even if I don't have space, it's become a form of therapy I suppose. 


 
In any event, girls dolls are my thing. However, I actually made a boy doll and completed him on Monday!! This is the companion doll to the Lulu Olivia doll that I recently finished. I haven't figure out if he's the instigator of the pair or not. His expression indicates he's rather amused by letting events unfold as they may and going with the flow. His name is Roy Archie, named after DH's grandfather and the name of the pattern given by Hillary Lang, who created the Wee Wonderfuls Make-a-long dolls and accessories.



He wanted to try out his new skills by doing a headstand.




Lulu can't resist trying to get in on the action but Roy doesn't seem to mind, it's nice have have a pal to share the adventures.

I think my newest doll has fallen over and gone into a catatonic state from the knowledge that I've finally made another doll!  I admit it was an uphill battle, not because it was a difficult doll to make, but from a chronic lack of motivation on my part. But these Wee Wonderfuls dolls are so happy and fun loving that I really wanted to see how mine would turn out.  So, here is Lulu Olivia!! Her first name is from a long distant great aunt and her second name is from the name given the pattern created by Hillary Lang at her Wee Wonderfuls site. This one is Hillary Lang's "Make-a-long Story" Olive pattern. I'll be making Hillary's, Archie, boy doll soon although I don't know yet what I'll call him.
Lulu is made from leftover scraps of cotton fabric but while the pattern calls for wool felt for the hair, I used a micro fibre suede-like type of material. I found some wool felt at the fabric store, however, I didn't like what that store had to offer so it was only one color of off white and quite expensive. That's what happens when a person lives in a tropical-like weather zone so I opted to use the (easier for me to manipulate) faux suede instead. Her eyes are cotton batik fabric. I also added a small pouch of pellets in Lulu's bum before sewing it up to help keep her balanced when she is sitting up.
Here's a close up of her face.

 Hitty has a dress!  This is the first of several that I have already cut out and just need to put together. I decided that I'd get a whole slew of them cut at the same time so that I could just do the sewing for each when I get the chance. Hitty Mae's clothes and undies are all handsewn with the exception of the dress hem and attaching the ruffle on this dress. The bodice is lined with white cotton lawn fabric and the back seam of the dress has a French seam. 

I have to make some adjustments to the neck of future dresses since I think the cloth Hitty doll the pattern was intended for must have a smaller neck. But easily remedied. 

I would have photographed her in front of the picture in the Hitty book of her dancing in front of the candle but I don't have the book. :)

Hitty Mae is happy and I think she'll soon be planning a tea party for the other smalls and is starting to write the invitations already.


I can't help it, I really like the way this little compromise of wood and cloth Hitty and her frilly dress turned out!

Here is Hitty Mae in her set of Undieloons(word I just made up) that I made for her out of white cotton lawn material with a touch of cream lace. I wanted to figure out a way to reduce the bulk of material at her waist once she is fully dressed so I adapted a pattern that combines a chemise and pantaloons. The waist is elasticized with stretchy thread used for making jewelry and seems to work great!

There are 1/4 inch white double faced satin shoulder straps and an opening in the back so the whole thing is removeable.

I haven't decided if I want to stitch "Hitty" in red cross stitching on the upper area yet. I sort of like it the way it is now, truth be told.

I'm attempting a blog once again. Not sure if I'll keep it up any better than any of the others but I'm bored and it's dark and it's late so I can't use my machine to sew.
Anyway...
My latest doll, named Juda, after a distant relative that lived during the years that Izannah Walker was making her dolls in the 1800's.
Her body is made from muslin fabric. I gessoed the body areas such as her head and shoulders as well as the lower portions of her arms and legs. Then painted over the gesso with acrylic paint. Finally, I freehanded and painted her hair and sausage curls, her facial features, and laced boots with acrylic paint.
She has a lace trimmed and pintucked petticoat. Her dress was made with no pattern, just rectangles of different sizes.