Clay Over Cloth
Clay over cloth is a wonderful mixed media dollmaking technique that allows you to add clay onto a head made from fabric rather than sculpting it entirely from clay. You can hide the seams that usually go down the middle of the face, and make 3-dimensional features like a nose and mouth without the need for intricate needle sculpting. Here's how I like to do it.
A Feather Under My Cap
This doll is definitely one of my more unusual works. I started him some time ago, and one of the things that kept him unfinished was the hair. I just couldn't figure out what fit. Today I was looking at him and it came to me: A feather!"It is true I am rather taken up with dress; but as to feathers, every one wears them, and it would seem extraordinary if I did not."
~Marie Antoinette
Have Your Cake and Heat It Too
Air-dry clay is a perfect medium for dollmaking. The results are beautiful, there is no need for baking or firing, and let's admit - sculpting is relaxing and fun. There's one problem: it takes many hours to dry the clay.
You'll have to wait overnight at a minimum. If you're busy the following day, then your dolls will go on the "back burner" until you'll have time to continue. But there's a sweet solution: A food dehydrator and a cake topper!Leather Doll Shoes
Who needs a designer handbag when you can use it to make doll shoes?
Pin Up Boots
These Victorian boots got a nice finishing touch, thanks to a few pins and some black paint.
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.