All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll Class with the Doll Maker's Circle

This past Saturday I journeyed to the other side of London to teach the Doll Maker's Circle my All Bottled Up Doorstop Doll class.

I came bearing kits of luscious repurposed knitwear and empty water water bottles, ready to be transformed into a cloaked doll complete with a pre-printed fabric face. 

Part of the joy and creative challenge of working with re-purposed materials is that you will end up having to deal with slightly different issues, depending on the material you have to work with.  I find it always throws up the most creative solutions.  The All Bottled Up doll is based on a jumper sleeve (sweater sleeve to North Americans).  And due to the differences in sleeve cuts, lengths and fibre content you can get some pretty different results.  However, the Doll Maker's Circle were up for the challenge and some very beautiful solutions were found.

Jo immediately saw that her sleeve was a bit more voluminous in the cuff area that forms the hood and immediately arranged it so that it looked just perfect.

Diane's sleeve was a bit shorter and wider and Diane cleverly arranged the hood of her doll into a point which suited her doll perfectly.  I wish I'd gotten a shot of Diane's doll's face which was exquisitely coloured. 

In fact, there were many gorgeous faces created in that class and I got pictures of none of them.  I hate it when I do that. I get so into teaching and talking to other doll makers that I forget to record their genius for posterity.

There were some other moments of genius with ruffles being deployed with flair.

I always encourage my students to add their own creative ideas to a design.  I am always thrilled when they take me at my word and go for it.  Here my silk laced ribbon closure was fabuously replaced with closures made up of French knots in hand dyed silk ribbon - to die for.

 
There were new people like Diane at the class, and students like Doris who I've been privileged to spend time with in my classes before.  Doris pictured to my right (I'm the one in the middle) showed me some photos made from my Give Us a Kiss pattern and from two of my free patterns, Little Sneaks and Pinelope the Pin Cushion Doll.  They were stunning.  I've made Doris promise to send me photos so you can see just how beautiful they are.

 
There were 15 people taking this class and I wish I had pictures of them all, but unfortunately my camera paralysis set in once again.  I didn't even get a photo of June, the instigator of this class and a founder member of the club.  This always seems to happen once I get into a class.  For some reason cameras seem to interfere with my doll mojo.

You'll just have to take my word for it - The Doll Maker's Circle is one talented bunch. 

Comments

[Stephanie in Mi]

How fun to see all those varied options!