Smitten With Mittens
If you've tried your "hand" at cloth doll making, I'm sure you've seen different ways of making hands.
Let's talk about the kind of hands that have all the fingers sewn together like mittens. They're not just for beginners!
Transforming a Cloth Doll to “Porcelain”
I'm starting a new doll.
Well, not exactly... I've decided to work on an old doll that I never felt was quite finished. She'll be getting a complete makeover!
Shirring Fabric for Dolls
Shirring is a great technique to spruce up any old fabric while adding some serious visual interest without a lot of effort.
Think of it as "cheating surface embellishment." It can be a relaxing pause when you're in dollmaking mode, but not quite sure where your doll is going. Shirring is a great way to create "something from nothing" without thinking or planning too far ahead.
Making Cartoon Curls
While evaluating a vintage Betty Boop sewing pattern I found online, I've decided to use Paperclay to make Betty's hair, rather than yarn or fiber.
After all, she's got these wicked spiky curls and she is a cartoon.
The Iris Map
If you can color-by-number, you can make beautiful eyes for your dolls every time.
Use colored pencils, paint, pastel, or chalk to blend the eye colors according to this helpful iris map.
Hide The Seams
Here's a great tip to take your cloth doll to the next level: make it into a mixed media sculpture by filling in the seams with Paperclay.
This Dress is for the Birds
Here's a very quick sketch of a technique that you can use to make your doll's dress "poof" out. Make a bird cage!
Dyeing for Mohair
If you make dolls, you probably have some white mohair lying around. I have lots of it. But I don't need white mohair. I need some color! Let's see how easy it is to dye it using Kool Aid!
Looking Good
Eyes tell a story about the character. They are the focus. The window to the soul.
Let’s learn one way to create eyes that will capture attention and make your doll a masterpiece. Let's make eyeballs!
Needle Felting a Hard-Headed Doll