The Magic Bean

Freebie Friday - More Free Rag Doll and Waldorf Style Doll Patterns

One of the most often visited pages on my blog is a round-up of free rag doll patterns that I did years ago.  I've since found a few more great free rag doll patterns, plus some free Waldorf patterns which I have been increasingly asked to feature. 

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Rag Dolls

Lillie Mae Craftsis like the mother-lode of free rag doll patterns.  On the site, Brenda offers free Raggedy Ann patterns (40 of them, all for free!), tea party dolls (2 of them) and free seasonal rag dolls from Christmas to Halloween to the 4th of July.  You'll be spoilt for choice!

Beth, of the blog, By Hook and By Hand has a wealth of free doll patterns on offer.  One of my favourites is her Prairie Flowers doll pattern and free tutorial.  Click the link to visit Beth's blog and look on the left hand side of the screen for the link to the PDF pattern entitled "Prairie Flowers Doll Pattern".  Once you have the pattern, click the following link to see the step by step tutorial for making your Prairie Flowers doll.

Michele Vaile shared her Free Rag Doll Pattern on her blog, Soggibottom.

Посмотреть на Яндекс.Фотках

This next free rag doll pattern (above) comes with text in Russian from the website, Yandex from Ladik.  I used Google Translate to try to figure out who had created the pattern so please excuse me if I have credited this pattern incorrectly.

Suzann shared a free Babushka doll pin cushion pattern on her blog TiramiSue.  While this pin cushion isn't exactly a rag doll, its construction is simple enough and would make a great sewing accessory for any rag doll maker.

Waldorf Dolls

Waldorf dolls are another very popular form of doll, particularly for children.  The Silver Penny shared a free Waldorf doll making worksheet which you can download on Craftsy by clicking the link.

The Silver Penny also has a free Mini Waldorf Bunting Doll pattern.

Stephanie who blogs under the title Sewing Chick, shared a free Waldorf doll making tutorial.  Click the link to find the download.  Stephanie also has a jointed Waldorf doll tutorial which you can follow while making your Waldorf doll. 

Beth from By Hook and By Hand shared her step by step process for making a Waldorf doll on her Flickr site.

Beth from By Hook and By Hand shared a tutorial on her Flickr account for how to make a wig for a Waldorf doll, click the link to see the step by step photo tutorial.

Katja Magus shared a step by step tutorial for making your own Waldorf doll on the Living Crafts Blog.

Kelly Casanova shared a tutorial for working on the the head of a Waldorf doll specifically on her blog, The Handmaden.

Whether your passion is for rag dolls or Waldorf style dolls I hope you'll find some new inspiration with these free patterns and tutorials. 

Freebie Friday - Tutorials and Crafts that Help Preserve Your Memories

Scrapbooking is the craft that most often springs to mind when you think of preserving memories, but there are all sorts of other ways that you can remember special people and moments.  Here are a few tutorials that I've found that allow you to display treasured photos and mementos in new and interesting ways.  Many of these would make great gifts for Father's Day coming up in June.

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So  stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Martha Stewart shared a great idea to use your computer scanner to scan fabric from favourite items of clothing then, make this display of favourite clothing.  Click the link to see a tutorial, get the templates and to see the how-to video.

Disney Family Fun shared an tutorial to turn an old sport jersey into a memory board.

Anna from My Life and Kids, guest blogged over at Mod Podge Rocks and shared a tutorial to make handprint canvases.  Anna intended these to be for Mother's Day but they would be equally great for Father's Day.  What's good for the goose and all that.

Another tutorial created with Mother's Day in mind, but great for any gift, a PVC pipe bud vase with photos, as created by David on Mod Podge Rocks.

Kimbo at Girl with a Glue Gun shared a tutorial to make a memory that you can take with you - a DIY key tag marked with the finger print of a loved one. 

Emma who writes the Knit 1 Slip 1 blog shared a tutorial to make a personalised charm.  Click the link to see how she did it.

Julia at Everyday Mom Ideas shared a tutorial to create a Memory Lane Board Game - a great way to talk about your memories.

Julia Sandvoss shared a tutorial on the Making Memories blog for creating a special reminder of your holidays in a jar.  Don't you just wish you could bottle up some memories so you could have them forever - well now you can!

Kate Riley from Centsational Girl guest blogged at Front and Main and shared another type of memory jar tutorial using stacked apothecary jars.

Here's a picture perfect gift idea for Father's Day, a photo frame made of old ties.  Get framed by clicking the link to see the tutorial on the Plaid website.

And don't forget my very own tutorial to make Fabric Baby Blocks Stuffed with Memories.  The tutorial covers printing photos directly onto fabric and making the photos into soft baby blocks.

If you love to make cloth dolls, as I do, re-visit this older post about healing dolls where I give several links and ideas for creating a memorable reminder of someone special using a doll.

Even if a moment lasts just seconds the memory can live forever.  Let's hope these crafts help you to preserve those precious seconds.

Tutorial for a Bottled Lightning Bug Night Light Made from Recycled Materials

As of today, May 15th, 2012, you have one month left to make a doll for the Doll Street Re-Imagine History challenge that I am hosting. 

In celebration of our sponsors who are offering each of our winners over $100 US in prizes, I'm featuring each sponsor in turn ahead of the June 15th deadline for entries, starting with prizes offered by Eucalan.  No matter where you are in the world you can participate in this challenge and win yourself some amazing goodies which includes a Custom Gift Pack of Eucalan products.  The custom gift pack includes 4 x 100ml bottles of Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash plus handy travel size packages of Eucalan worth a total of $30.

And I have a fantastic free tutorial that will make sure that you'll enjoy your prize even after you've used up your Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash - a Bottled Lightning Bug Night Light made from an empty 100ml bottle of Eucalan.

Click the link to download the free pattern and instructions for this fun recylced project in PDF format: Download Bottled Lightning Bug Instructions and pattern

Tip: If you are having trouble downloading the pattern and instructions then please ensure that you have Adobe Reader installed and that you have updated your Adobe Reader. It is free to both download the reader and to update it, just click the link to visit the Adobe site.

As I am rather addicted to Eucalan products myself , I go through bottles of Eucalan on a regular basis (I use the No Rinse Delicate Wash for crafts as well as washing all my delicates and I never go anywhere without Eucalan's Stain Treating Towelettes).  With all those beautifully shaped empty bottles around  I can't resist creating projects from the packaging; including my Eucalan bottle doll tutorial called A Delicate Disposition.  Click the link to see that free tutorial and pattern and to read my top 5 uses for Eucalan.

If you are keen to win yourself some Eucalan products, click the link to see the Re-Imagine History Doll Challenge Rules and get the entry form.  You can also find out more about our other sponsors and the other great prizes on offer.

Please feel free to link to my free projects, however, as a courtesy, if you wish to link to this project, please link to this page and not directly to the downloadable PDF file. Please do not save the PDF file and upload it to your own blog.  Thank you!

I shared this tutorial at:

 

Freebie Friday - Monogram Craft Tutorials

Monograms manage to look traditional, but fresh and modern all at the same time.  Here are some great monogram craft tutorials that I've found to help you rock those initials.

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

For Home

 
Stitch a web of detail around a monogram on a velvet pillow with a tutorial from Martha Stewart.

Better Homes and Gardens shared this easy monogram pillow idea.

Make a felt monogram pillow with a tutorial on Little Lovelies by Allison.

Amy at Positively Splendid shared a tutorial for making a modern monogram using a vinyl applique.

Martha Stewart featured a tutorial for creating monogrammed place settings.  Click the link to find out how to get this look.

Martha Stewart also shared a great way to make a monogram corkboard with a two part video tutorial.  Watch the first steps to creating this corkboard by clicking the link and watch part two by clicking the second link. 

Marji at Ashbee Designs created a tutorial for altering a book into a monogram. 

Suzy as Suzy's Arts Craftsy Sitcom shared a tutorial to make a mosaic monogram.

Jen from Life, Crafts and Whatever shared a tutorial to make a wire monogram that would look great for decor.

Shannon at ShannanigansBlog shared a tutorial to make a moss covered monogram wreath that would bring a hint of spring to your home.

For Weddings

Monograms are a wonderful way of decorating for a wedding.  Martha Stewart has plenty of wedding monogram inspiration - check out this list of monogram wedding ideas including cakes, wreaths, favours and more.

For Kids

Here is a great way of making a monogram to decorate a child's room shared on Alayna's Creations - a tutorial for making a monogram that looks like a road with little cars driving on it!

Learn how to make this crayon monogram with a tutorial on Cheap and Chic Nursery.  It would make a great decoration for a child's room or you could give it as a teacher appreciation gift.

Dolls

If you have any monogrammed hankies that you'd like to keep for sentimental reason, why not make one of these hankie dolls with a tutorial shared on Vintage Image Craft.

We all have initials so why not use 'em!

Freebie Friday - Mother's Day Gift Tutorials

Every year I do Mother's Day twice - once in March and once in May.  That is because I live in the UK as does my mother-in-law, so I do Mothering Sunday in March.  Then I do it all over again in May for Mother's Day to thank my own mum who lives in Canada.  So, if you live in the UK these tutorials may come a bit a late for you (or maybe you could consider it 11 months early?).  Still, many of these tutorials will be great gifts for women no matter the occasion or the country in which you live.

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Make these vintage style decorative plates using silhouettes, Mod Podge and a tutorial from the Plaid website.  Click the link to see the tutorial.

Quilt some fun coffee cozies for the deserving mum or friend in your life with a tutorial from All People Quilt courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. 

Quilters and sewing enthusiasts could impress mum with this floral patterned table mat using a free tutorial found on Better Homes and Gardens.  Click the link to find out how to make it.

If your mum likes to take the sewing machine out for a spin herself, then make her this woodland cottage pin cushion designed by Lindsay Wilkes and shared on the Riley Blake Designs blog.

Moda Bakeshop featured this tutorial from the genius of Rebecca Roach, where thread spools become wheels on the cutest little sewing caddy trailer you've ever seen.  Click the link to see the free tutorial.

Quilt Story shared a tutorial on the Moda Bakeshop blog for how to make this cute little pea pod wrist pin cushion - perfect for sewing mums who like to garden, don't you think?

Help decorate your mother's sewing space with this decorated canvas designed by Cathie and Steve for the Plaid website.  Use old patterns and Mod Podge and the free tutorial, of course, to make this fun canvas.

If you have a mum with a Manolo Blahnik addiction, treat her to a pair of these custom made clip-on shoe flower decorations with a tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens.

For the culinary mum, make her this simple but funky retro apron using a free tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens.

If your mum just couldn't be sweeter, make her this pair of Sweet Treats hot pads using a tutorial on Better Homes and Gardens.

So if you are making these little gifts for a mom or a mum, or maybe just a friend, they'll be sure to convey just how you feel about the special woman in your life. 

Freebie Friday - Cardboard Craft Tutorials for Grown Ups

I saw this video about Caine, a 9 year old boy from East LA on the Craft site and was inspired.  Caine used his formidable imagination and ingenuity to make his own arcade out of cardboard, but it was his determination and self-belief that won the day.  Watch this short film about a creative kid.  It will make you want to break out the cardboard and dust off your own imagination:

 

If you want to make like Caine and getting crafting with cardboard, here is a round-up of craft tutorials that make use of humble cardboard to great effect.  These tutorials are meant for adults.  There are plenty of tutorials for kids that make use of cardboard but I wanted to show you how cardboard can be just as beautiful as a material for adults as it is for kids.

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Decor

Mark Montano created a tutorial for the Fiskars site on how to create a cardboard art hat stand.  Click the link to see the tutorial.

Patricia Zappata shared a tutorial on how to make a hurricane cover for a lamp out of cardboard paper towel tubes on her blog The Little Hut.

Click the link to see a tutorial from Amy of the blog Chestnut Tree Lane on how to create a heart garland out of cardboard and twine.

Design some amazing furniture from cardboard using these instructions on Instructables.  Just click the link.

Use cardboard to make gourd placesettings for your table with this tutorial from the BBB Craft Sisters as featured on Design Sponge.  Who says cardboard can't be sophisticated?

Click the link to see a cardboard hot pad tutorial from Jenya at Eva Foreva.

Use cardboard tubes to craft your own photo frames with this tutorial from Photojojo.com. 

Weddings/Cards

Make cards or wedding programs with a DIY tutorial on Intimate Weddings to create some stunning card and burlap paper creations. 

Dolls

Click the link to see a tutorial with a free pattern for making a card kimono doll bookmark as shared by Sandy on her blog, Sandy's Space.

Break out some cardstock to make a beautiful paper doll using a free art doll template from theEnchantedGallery.com.  Click the link to see the template as well as some inspiring examples and ideas for how you could make these card templates into a piece of art using stamps or scrapbook paper. 

Larissa Albernaz shared how she made a doll house out of patterned card on the Crate Paper Blog.

Crafting Tools

Diane Gilleland shared a tutorial on CraftStylish for how to weave on a homemade cardboard loom.  You could use this technique to weave placemats, coaster, bags, you name it.

Emily on Red Bird Crafts shared a great idea for creating your own signage for craft fairs out of cardboard.  Perfect for all you crafters who sell your work.

Make hanging file boxes, perfect for storing patterns, out of cardboard crates with a tutorial from Small Fry and Co.

Crafting with cardboard is green and it costs very little.  What's not to like?

Freebie Friday - 20th Century and Modern Doll Tutorials

March was all about historical costuming here on the Magic Bean, but sadly I ran out of time to share the more modern tutorials that I found dating from the 20th century to the present, so I'll just share them now at the beginning of April.  The March theme was more of a "guideline" rather than a rule anyway.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. 

New to the Magic Bean?

Every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme and the month of March was devoted to historical costuming. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Dolls

Make a doll from a free 1940's pattern, shared by Jayne Hawk on Hawk Crossing.  Click the link to see the pattern.

Clothing

Make an Edwardian ladies hat with this PDF tutorial from cloth doll designer Judy Skeel as featured on Doll Street.

Use this free 1912 style gown pattern for a doll from Denisa at Molendrix.com, inspired by a dress worn by Kate Winslet's character in the movie Titanic.

Make this absolutely stunning flapper style hat for a doll using a tutorial on BJD Magazine.

Make an art deco hair decoration with a tutorial on La Petite Belle Patterns.  Tip:  click the link and then click on each image for more detail and further instructions.

Make a vintage looking heart handkerchief apron with a tutorial on BJD Collectasy.

Make a lovely sweater (jumper here in the UK) for a doll of any size using this tutorial from BJD Magazine.

Learn to make a pair of modern looking boots for a doll with a tutorial from Deviant Art user Scargeear.

BJD Magazine shared a tutorial for making stockings for a doll.

Even if you don't have lovely vintage trims on hand, you can fake the antique look by dipping new trims in coffee, as suggested by this tutorial to make a gorgeous vintage floral headdress or fascinator for your doll, from BJD Magazine.

I hope you enjoy that last hurrah for historic costuming on the Magic Bean.

Freebie Friday - Medieval, Renaissance, Tudor and Elizabethan Costuming Tutorials for Dolls

A period of time when chivalry was born, the medieval era provides many doll makers with inspiration, including me.  My doll Stitch in Time was based on fashions circa 1327-77.

The chivalry of the middle ages gave way to the romance of the Renaissance.  Technically, the Tudor and Elizabethan styles fall under the umbrella term of "Renaissance"  but the fashions favoured by the English monarchs were so distinctly created by the Kings and Queen who wore them that they are more often give the name of "Tudor" or "Elizabethan".   This Friday as part of my month long blog theme of historical fashion, I'm rounding up free tutorials that will help you give your dolls a medieval or Renaissance flair.

If you're new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme, with the month of March being devoted to historical costuming. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Medieval Tutorials

Lucie Winsky of Lucie Winsky Dolls shared a free pattern for a 5 1/2" medieval doll dress.  You could certainly enlarge this pattern for larger dolls.  Click the link to see the dress and get the free pattern.

Make a simple pair of medieval shoes for your doll with a tutorial from Priska on her Regalia Online Photo Picturetrail.

The next tutorials are all taken from the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  While certainly not period perfect, many of the fashions from that film were based on medieval modes.  So these free patterns designed by Denisa on Molendrix.com are a good basis for a medieval doll.  Click the link to see the outfits and get the patterns.

Free pattern for Arwen's blood red dress

Free doll pattern for Arwen's farewell gown

Free doll pattern for Arwen's coronation dress

Free doll pattern for Arwen's mourning dress

Free doll pattern for Arwen's requiem dress

Free doll pattern for Arwen's rose dress

Free doll pattern for Arwen's white dress

Free doll pattern for Eowyn's refugee dress and fur trimmed coat

Free doll pattern for Eowyn's shieldmaiden outfit

Free doll pattern for Eowyn's green gown

Denisa at Molendrix.com also used the film The Princess Bride as inspiration for this medieval style doll dress pattern.

Learn to make a medieval style rag doll with a tutorial on the Passing Stranger.

Renaissance Tutorials

Make a Renaissance doll dress in an Italian Renaissance style based on a gown worn by the character played by Drew Barrymore in the film Ever After using a tutorial shared by Denisa on Molendrix.com.

Also inspired by the movie Ever After is this free pattern for a Renaissance style doll dress created by Denisa on Molendrix.com. 

Tudor Tutorials

Priska shared a tutorial to make a French hood, of the type favoured by Anne Boleyn for your doll with a free tutorial on her Regalia Online Photos Picturetrail.

To decorate a costume with a Tudor rose, use this animated tutorial from Naergi's Costuming site to learn how.

Elizabethan Tutorials

Make a mini Elizabethan neck ruff for your doll with a free tutorial slideshow as shared by Priska on her Regalia Online Photo Picturetrail.

Make an Elizabethan style corset for your doll using a free pattern from Denisa on Molendrix.com.

Furs were worn as a sign of your status throughout the middle ages and Renaissance periods and were very strictly regulated in that you were not allowed to wear furs that were deemed to be above your station in life.  Ermine was particularly reserved for nobility.  If you want to fake the look of ermine fur for your dolls, here is a tutorial from Naergi's Costuming site on how to do it.

For more information about Elizabethan costuming, you can't beat this long list of sources on the Elizabethan Costume Page. 

I hope these tutorials will fuel your creativity.

Freebie Friday - 18th Century Fashion Tutorials for Dolls

The 18th century was a period of extreme fashion.  Marie Antoinette is the historical personage that most people to call to mind when thinking of this period.  Here are some free tutorials to help you recreate the Rococo look for your dolls.

If you're new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme, with the month of March being devoted to historical costuming. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

Dolls

Use some clip art to create a 3 dimensional Marie Antoinette paper doll embellished with fabric and furbelows using a tutorial  designed by Larissa from the blog In a Scrap of Paper.

Angela from Angela Lace had a great idea for creating a simple Marie Antoinette cloth doll.  It looks as though Angela printed a piece of clip art onto printer reader fabric and then made it into a panel doll which she then decorated with ribbon roses and fabric swags.  Fabulous!  Note:  If you are not sure how to print onto printer ready fabric and sew up a panel doll, see my Kokeshi panel doll tutorial, it would work along the same lines, although with a very different image.

If you are looking for clip art to use either for Larissa's fabric embellished 3D paper doll or Angela's cloth panel doll, check out the Graphics Fairy website.  Use the Search function to look for Marie Antoinette images - there are a few!

Here's another idea for creating a Marie Antoinette paper doll from Lisa Kettle, author of Altered Art Circus: Techniques for Journals, Paper Dolls, Art Cards, and Assemblages .  Watch the following video:

 

Doll Clothing 

While searching for 18th century doll clothing tutorials, I came across this incredibly inspiring and original doll artist, Tireless Artist, Dorote.  See this interview on BJD with Tireless Artist, Dorote and to see how this doll artist has used elements of 18th century fashion to create a whole new look for her dolls.

Dorote has an interesting tutorial for creating a Marie Antoinette inspired corset for one of her dolls on her blog Tireless Artist Tutorials.  Click the link, click the image and then I recommend using your browser settings to Zoom to the maximum size to allow you to read the instructions better.  If you are not sure how to do this, Google "Zoom on Internet Explorer 9/Chrome/Firefox" (insert the name of your browser, as appropriate) to get instructions.

If you really want your doll to be period perfect, here is a tutorial to hand sew eyelets through which you can string your doll's corset lacing.   The corset shown is an example of 18th century stays as shared by Eleven Hippie Gypsy. 

Molendrix.com shared a wonderful pattern for a caraco jacket and strapless stays circa 1740-50.  See the finished 18th centruy doll costume by clicking the link.  See the pattern for the caraco jacket here and the 18th century stays here.

18th century court gowns were very wide at the sides, held out by panniers.  Panniers could be fairly modest like this set of panniers from the Digital Archives of the Kyoto Costume Institute or very wide like the ones that would have held up the skirts on this gown.  Of course, you could try to recreate panniers in miniature, or you could just fake it. See how one doll designer faked the look of panniersusing a very ingenious idea pictured in the last photo in this article on BJDCollectasy with the designer behind MHD Designs.

Doll Hats and Accessories

Photo used with permission from Jessica Acosta Hamilton

Doll Artist, Jessica Acosta Hamilton, recently shared a fun tutorial to create a hair embellishment for your dolls using shrink plastic.  This style really reflects the extreme style of the 18th cenury where model ships were worn atop a towering wig.  Don't believe me?  Check out this 1780's costume imagefrom the Kyoto Costume Institute's Digital Archive by clicking the link.

This 18th century tricorn hat making tutorial from Naergi's Costuming site is meant for making a full size tricorn hat for a human, but the hat could be scaled down for a doll. 

Make a gorgeous Marie Antoinette style hat with this tutorialfrom BJD Magazine. I've linked to this one before, but it is worth pointing out again.

A fan was a must have accessory in this period.  Make a doll-sized fan with a tutorial from Doll Artist Workshop.

Choker necklaces were favoured during this period, check out this rose choker necklace tutorial on BJD Magazine.

Embellishment

You can't reproduce the look of the 18th century without ribbon, flounces and roses.  Learn how to make a ribbon rose with the queen of ribbon flowers, Helen Gibb.

Roll on with all things Rococo!

 

Freebie Friday - 19th Century Historical Costume Tutorials for Dolls

As part of a celebration of historic costume here on the Magic Bean during the entire month of March, I'm focusing on the 19th century this Friday.  From the Regency period through the Victorian era, you'll find links to free tutorials that will help you recreate the look of the 1800s for your dolls.

If you're new to the Magic Bean, every Friday I do a round-up of free craft tutorials on a certain theme. So stop by every Friday for your weekly dose of free crafts, patterns and tutorials. Or browse for more free resources by combing through the "Free Craft Tutorials & Patterns" category (just click the link) or use the Google Search function on the top left of my blog to search for something specific.

The Main Periods of the 19th Century

The 19th century and its costumes can be divided into two categories that may help you to understand the differences in the clothing from each period.

Georgian/Regency- 1790-1820 - Technically, the Regency period when George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son took power as regent was from 1811-1820, but for our purposes the earlier date encapsulates the change in fashion in the late 18th and early 19th century.

The look - think Jane Austen - high waisted gowns with relatively natural and soft looking hair, flat slipper shoes, shawls and bonnets.

I based my Gather Ye Rosebuds doll on this period:

Victorian - 1837- 1901

The look - think Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Haskell and the Bronte sisters - large crinolines and then later bustles, more severe hair often centre parted with looped braids or ringlets, lower waisted gowns with heavy corseting, bonnets and caps.

I based my Finders Keepers doll (loosely) on Victorian clothing:

Regency/Georgian Tutorials:

Find out how to make a Regency Poke Bonnet in 10 Steps with a tutorial on Tea in a Teacup.  This tutorial uses a purchased straw doll bonnet as a base to make a bonnet for a baby, but of course these straw hats are relatively easy to purchase for dolls and the tutorial could be used to make the bonnet for a doll.

Like the previous tutorial, this tutorial uses a purchased straw hat to make a Regency bonnet.  The main difference with this tutorial is that the bonnet is meant for a human, but the steps would be the same to create a doll bonnet, just scale it down. 

If you are a fan of flat dolls and paper dolls, then you'll love Flora a Regency paper doll (with an enviably large wardrobe) on Paper Thin Personas.

Don't forget my own tutorial for a wee Regency doll made from a Eucalan bottle, click the link to see the tutorial.

Victorian Tutorials:

When most people think of Victorian costume they think of corsets, take a look at this Steampunk doll costume which seems to have been heavily inspired by the late Victorian style.  While not strictly a tutorial, this walk through of the doll's costume on The Roses Couture gives you a good idea of how to approach doll corsets. 

Molendrix.com shared a pattern to make a Victorian walking dress for a doll.  Click the link to see the dress and get the pattern (at the bottom of the page).

From the Victorian era women started to wear a top hat and veil when riding.  Check out this tutorial on The Roses Couture for how to make a silk top hat for your own doll. 

For another variation on the top hat, check out this video tutorial for making a simple top hat for your dolls from BJDCollectasy:

 

Victorian gowns were highly embellished, one way of decorating was by using puffed trims.  Learn how to make puffed trims with a tutorial on Naergi's Costuming Site.  The tutorial is assuming you are making the trim for a full size costume so you would need to scale down this tutorial for doll making.

Parasols were a must have accessory during an era when having a pale complexion was a must.  Learn how to make a miniature closed doll parasol with this tutorial from Doll Artist's Workshop.

To find out how to make an open doll parasol, as well as another idea for a closed parasol and a purse, click the link to see a tutorial offered on Gisele's Miniature Creations. 

Bonnets were the head wear of choice in the early Victorian period.  Learn to make an ornate bonnet for your doll with a two part video tutorial from BJDCollectasy:

 

Tart up your Victorian bonnet with part 2 of the Ornate Bonnet video BJDCollectasy:

 

The “Boater Hat” was created in the 1880’s.  This style was popular in the US where Italian immigrants were seen sporting the look.  The hat's name comes from the Gondoliers who first wore it.  The straw boater became very popular in America in the late 19th and early 20th century. The boater was often worn in summer and was often favoured by the middle classes for weekend outings, picnics, and more formal events.  Click the link to see a tutorial from Doll Artist's Workshop to make your own doll sized boater hat. 

Cloth doll designer Kat Lees used some vintage clip art to create a wonderful Victorian ornament doll tutorial as hosted by Doll Makers Journey.

Don't forget to check out this older post showcasing links to free Victorian patterns and tutorials.

The Steampunk style is based on a re-imagined Victorian period, so if you love the Steampunk look, check out this older post where I rounded up some Steampunk tutorials.

I hope these tutorials inspire you to make a doll with a 19th century twist.