3-D Fabric Eyes For Cloth Dolls
Needle sculpting a cloth doll head creates a fully-defined nose and mouth. Wouldn't it be nice to add a little POP to the eyes?
Here's a tutorial that demonstrates how to "sculpt" fabric eyes. The result will be a whimsical, charming, and unique face.
Hear’s a Great Way To Attach Ears To a Cloth Doll
Listen Up!
What's the easiest way to attach ears to a cloth doll? Use a paper clip! It's so easy, and you won't see any stitches. Let me show you how.
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.
Beaded Betty
Today I would like to share with you an amazing interpretation of Betty Boop, created from my pattern by Dot Lewallen of Speedy Beadie. I am utterly flabbergasted at her work!
Dot made her Betty out of beads! I think it's remarkable. Dot says, "She's ready to boop, and so am I. Boop Boop-Be Doop!" Dot, I'm ready to boop with you, too!Betty Is Making Headway
Betty's HEAD is without a doubt the most interesting part of the vintage doll pattern I have been working on. The head is made of a butterfly-shaped "pillow" which constitutes the face, and a completely separate "head back" which is sewn on separately by hand. That way, the face is flat and can lie on Betty's shoulders, and the back of the head will be round.
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!
Elsie – Faery Seam Ripper
Please meet Elsie, my house elf.
She holds the portkey to the sewing room of every doll maker in the world, and secretly travels around randomly, stealing sewing needles. If you are missing your needles, let me know.
Class With Deanna Hogan
This past weekend, I had the privilege of taking a class with Deanna Hogan. What a treat it was, and what an absolutely inspiring artist she is.
I learned so much and I enjoyed myself more than I have in ages. Deanna is a fine teacher and she has incredible patience. No wonder her dolls are so beautiful.
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!