Friday pattern review

This just came across my desk. It's another of Linda Walsh's lovely Colonial dolls. This one is a partner, indeed a twin, to Peter, that I talked about last week. She's 16" tall, a cloth doll with an embroidered face and a pretty costume.

Linda has designed a doll that is simple to make, even for cloth doll beginners. The face is embroidered, so those who love to use their needle will be happy! You could also paint the face, if that's your preference.

The pattern has complete, full sized pattern pieces, with detailed illustrated instructions. Linda also creates wonderful stories for each of her characters.

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So get out those pretty prints and start sewing! Here's where you'll find the pattern.

10 things you should have in your Sewing kit

Over at Doll Street Dreamers. we've been discussing what constitutes a sewing kit. You'll get instructions or a supply list for a class and it says blandly: Sewing kit. So, to help clear the fog, here's what should be in a basic sewing kit, in no particular order:

1. Scissors, one large pair and one small, sharp pair. By sharp, I mean they should cut to the tip. Depending on the class, you may also need paper scissors.
2. Pins - not those you've collected from packs of shirts. Those are useless for sewing.
3. Tape measure.
4. Assorted hand sewing needles.
5. Thread to match the project you are doing, plus maybe basting thread in another color.
6. Marking pens or pencils; dressmakers' chalk; maybe a marking wheel and carbon paper.
7. Thimble.
8. Ruler- a small, bendy one is useful.
9. Rotary cutter and mat if you use one.
10. Stitch ripper.

I store my basic class kit in a pencil case - the kind that goes in a 3-ring binder with clear pockets. You can see what's in it. I have several of these for different purposes. One for my travel painting kit, one for doll tools, etc.

I hope that's helpful for you, next time you do a class. Speaking of classes, my dear Marilyn Halcombe of Sydney, Australia has one starting this Friday. It's Walter. He's such a charmer! Marilyn is a master at cloth dolls making and needle sculpting. Believe me, I know. I have one of her mini elves sitting on my desk and admire him every day!

Moving house

After nearly 29 years in this old house, we are moving. So the boxes have piled up and been shifted to the new place. I am getting more ruthless as we go along! Clothes I haven't worn, shoes, old bags and bric-a-brac. Gone!

The new bungalow has lots of cupboards, but I can see we will soon fill them all. We also have too much furniture for two levels, having 4 right now. So I am a little stressed out! If anyone you know wants to buy an fine older home in Old Ottawa South, let me know!

I am going through my stash and did chuck out a bunch of stuff. Then I thought some more. I should have a sale! So I have shifted some of my stash to my studio and will organise a fabric sale for the early spring. It's so cold here, no-one will come out shopping now! So stay tuned for the date!

Meanwhile, I find being at the studio peaceful. No lists of things to pack, just my work. Right now, I am making an 1840's bonnet and dress.

Doll Street Dreamers is keeping me busy and this week I have added some new patterns and classes. Colleen Babcock has converted one of the classes she taught live into a pattern. It's Finders keepers. I took this class with Colleen and it's a really fun doll to make.

Maybe this doll can find some of the things that are getting misplaced during this move?

Order the pattern at Doll Street.

Divas rule!

I'll be teaching online again soon. At the end of January, Doll Street will host another needle felting class. Create your own Diva! I will take you step by step through the technique of needle felting and show you how to sculpt the face with wool fiber and create and develop the body parts. Finally, we will make interesting poses, like the diva shown here.

I'm also offering a kit, for those who need one. Just let me know the color you want. I always advise against making a flesh tone diva. using a non-traditional color takes the pressure off trying to make a realistic face and body.

Class begins January 31, 2014. Follow the link to register today.

I've been published!

Soft Dolls and Animals has published my Flat Felicity article in their Feb/Mar 2014 issue. I'm so excited!

It all started with a swap on Doll Street Dreamers. Our online doll club decided to do a Flat Stanley Round Robin. Our group has doll artists all over the world joining in. We each made a flat doll, designed to go in an envelope with a journal to accompany it on the journey. Each month, we get a doll, add one item to it, write in the journal and send it along to the next person. It may be a year before we get our well traveled dolls back! Oh the things they will do and the places they will see!

Flat Felicity is based on the doll I put into my envelope. So now she is available to share with you, via the magazine. maybe you'll start your own swap? It's a lot of fun!

The online class you've been waiting for!

She's finally done it! Dawn is offering us the secret to making these cute Pocket fae! This onlone class will teach you polymer clay techniques in fully illustrated lessons.

"What Have They Got in Their Pocketses...?"
Dawn M Schiller will teach you to make this little Faerie dude. Class begins december 6, 2013.

Dawn recently visited a watch repair shop and happened upon a Chrono Seidh (pronounced "seed"), one of the Tribe of Odd Folk that used to live in the Forest, but have become fascinated with timepieces and mechanical things.

These tiny fae will dwell in any type of clockcase they can find, but are especially fond of pocketwatches. Chrono Seidh can be very helpful in watch repair, as they can repair the tiny works without need for tools....

Learn to sculpt your OWN Chrono Seidh, also known as Pocket Trolls, in this NEW class from Dawn M Schiller. Over 200 photos will take you step-by-step thru the process of creating your own little fae!.

Dawn is the author of “FaeMaker: Making Fantasy Characters in Polymer Clay”.

Available exclusively at Doll Street Dreamers!

AND it's on sale for two more days!

Doll costuming at its best!

Barbara Schoenoff brings us this  costuming class with a difference. Not only will you make Paulina, the cloth doll, but her clothing is removable! It's being hosted by Doll Street Dreamers.

Paulina is a 20” cloth doll inspired by the soft edged, dreamlike, lovely women painted by Renoir. Paulina’s body is darted and intricate giving her the curves and contours of her time. Her 1880’s walking suit and underwear are fully removable allowing for more clothing to come.
An intermediate skill level in sewing would be helpful but not absolutely necessary. Most important is bringing a desire to make a doll and explore.
Techniques include pattern piecing, articulating fingers, face sculpting and painting, wire armature, bustle gown making and embellishment. .


The class will flow as follows:
Lesson One

Supply list and selection of materials

Discussion of sewing terms

Basic techniques

Making the body

Lesson two

Armature

Legs and Feet

Stuffing

Attaching limbs

Lesson Three

Head

Sculpting the Face

Coloring the Face

Attaching the Head to Body

Lesson Four
Underwear; pantalets, camisole, petticoat and stockings

Lesson Five

Skirt

Jacket

Lesson Six

Shoes

Spats

Hat

Finishing

There are lots of photos of the construction and easily followed step-by-step instructions – and of course, a classroom where you can discuss and share your progress. So join in and have some fun and let Barbara guide you through this enjoyable journey.

Class begins November 15, 2013 Won't you join us? Click to Register

After the mermaid contest this summer, Studio Galli gave me one extra video. So I thought a great way to give it away would be to one of the new members of Doll Street Dreamers. As you may know, Doll Street has an online doll club. members chat to each other daily, through our email journal. We have swaps and challenges. Last year our Wizard of Oz dolls went to Artistic Figures in Cloth Conference. They were well received, I can tell you.

What have I learned since I joined Doll Street's club 12 years ago? I have learned that there are so many different types of dolls out there, that many talented people at all levels of doll making are in the club. I've made online friends and met several of them in person since, all due to Doll Street. And of course, last September, I became the Grand Poobaa of Doll Street and took over the running of the site.

Now you don't have to be a member to buy a pattern or take a class from one of our talented designers, but I know you'll love the club and the camaraderie that I have found there. We have members from all over the world! The club has its own Clubhouse, with a library of articles and even free patterns! Members get special discounts from time to time, too!

So come on, won't you join us? You might be the one to win the DVD by Patti Medaris Culea! I've seen it and it is amazing!

Hey Doll face!

News from Doll Street Dreamers. Here's an online class by Judy Skeel that will help you perfect your faces and doll making. It's all about technique!

Hey Doll Face

Intensive doll face painting class with Judy Skeel

Do faces befuddle you? Would you include people in your art or make cloth dolls if you could make them all headless? Choose this step by step online class with doll artist Judy Skeel and learn to relax about your faces. Whether you want a detailed doll head or to learn to draw and color a face you'll find it all in this detailed 4 session workshop.

Begin by learning tips and tricks for proper sewing and stuffing techniques to create a well shaped 3-dimensional head using 100% cotton fabric. Learn to use a needle and thread to add dimension to a cloth doll head with needle-sculpting by pronouncing the nose, detailing nostrils and recessing eye sockets for a more realistic face. Graduate to the cloth over cloth method where a layer of cotton is secured over the sculpted face for a smooth finish that hides all the seams and hand stitching from needle-sculpting.

Learn to alter the face with heat to make gorgeous pronounced lips that are just waiting for a kiss. Continue your journey with adding color to your dimension. Not only will you learn the difference in facial proportions for realistic and fantasy characters but you will learn how to shape lips so they are symmetrical and believable through detailed photos on two different heads.

Step by step photos will guide you through adding color to not only detail features but to add highlighting and shading for a realistic “portrait” appearance. Complete your work with hair in the final lesson which teaches how to custom fit a Tibetan lamb skin wig as well as root eye lashes and brows for a spectacular 3-dimensional touch.
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Enjoy these four detailed lessons with hundreds of step by step photos:

Lesson One
• Sewing and stuffing a cloth head, facial proportions and needle sculpting the face
Lesson Two
• Cloth over cloth technique
Lesson Three
• Drawing features, adding color and highlighting and shading on two different heads
Lesson Four
• Custom creating a Tibetan Lamb skin wig and rooting eye lashes and brows
Class starts November 8, 2013. Register today!

E-books on doll making on sale

Doll Street Dreamers has items on sale!

Diane Dobson Barton has a series of e-books on sculpting. She also has two fantastic e-books on Organizing your studio and the Business side of art. All on sale!You can search the store by using the search box and scrolling to your favorite designers name.

Cloth doll to adore

Online Class on sale

The talented Barbara Schoenoff is presenting her Donoma class on Doll Street Dreamers. AND she's offering a discount if you sign up before the 27th!!

Donoma is a Woman of Potential. She may become a journey of spiritual discovery in doll making for you as you select her fabrics, fibers and embellishments and adorn your Woman.

Class begins October 25.

Click the picture to find out more.

Perfect Pets

I am teaching again! After my hiatus, it feels good to be back teaching again. I am teaching online at Doll Street Dreamers.  If you've never taken an online class, the classroom is a group which you are invited to moon, you get to download the instructions and ask me questions in a private forum. Bets of all, we can share pictures as we progress. Just like a real class, you can see what everyone else is doing.

The class is called Perfect Pets and teaches you how to make a needle felted cat or dog. Perfect for accompanying your dolls! The class shows you how to scale the animal  l so it fits your doll, how to make a simple armature and of course, how to needle felt. 

It will be a lot of fun and add to you doll making skill set. Won't you join me? Here's the link to the class