The Magic Bean

Eureka Moments

The thing you notice in Judi Ward's class on Designing Your Own Cloth Doll are the eureka moments.  You can just see it on the faces of everyone in the class when that penny drops.  I'm sure that look was on my face a few times during the day.  Some things Judi teaches should be obvious, but the fact is that they're not.  I've certainly never thought of them.  Let's just face it - Judi is a genius.

We were so lucky to have Judi.  She hasn't taught much in the last few years as she lives in Germany, but as chance would have it, I contacted her about something else and she mentioned that she might come to England with her hubby.  The trip her husband was going to take never happened but our class did.

Rainbow Silks kindly offered us their workshop and Mavis offered herself as a hostess and we were off to the races.  This was the first time I've ever co-ordinated this sort of thing, but I'm so pleased that I did.  Judi left my brain bubbling with new ideas.  Equally, she had brand new doll makers leaving with their very first doll that they had designed themselves and experienced doll makers ready to go out and make their own designs.  And she left us with a huge booklet of information to help us continue our quest to design dolls. 

And lucky me, I got a pin doll made by Judi herself.

Thank you Judi.  For everything.

Judi Ward is unstoppable!

Judi, in Energiser Bunny style, just keeps going and going.  She has made two more demo dolls for the class she is teaching on July 22nd (less than a week away).  She has made a mermaid and a wall doll.

Can't wait for this class. 

Judi's coming!

Judi Ward is coming to the UK to teach, wahoo!  I've got a class full of ladies ready for July 22nd and it is going to be fun!  Judi sent this picture of 9 different Beginners Style dolls, designed and made exactly as she teaches.....

Judi says:  There are so many more possible! In fact there is no end to the variety.  I hope to make a few more before the class. None will have faces or clothes because that sets folks on the path to wanting the exact doll as seen: face, hair, clothes and all, and this class is about doing your own doll designs and using ones own creativity to finish them.

When you look closely at these dolls, as different as they are, from fairy, to fashion doll, to child doll, they have one major thing in common, they all have really beautifully put together bodies.  They even look good naked and faceless.

The class is pretty much full now, but if you really want to be part of it (and let's face it, who wouldn't want to learn from Judi Ward) then e-mail me and with a little begging I might just be able to squeeze you in.

April Meeting

I'm afraid that due to other commitments, Mavis and I are no longer able to participate in Rainbow Dolls.  However, the club will be meeting at 1.30 pm on Tuesday 22nd April at Rainbow Silks in Great Missenden when the future of the Club and any suggestions for it will be discussed. Anyone who can get there will be very welcome.

I am going to continue to run the Yahoo Group however, so anyone who wishes to talk dolls is welcome to join.

Freebie Friday - Doll Jointing

Today you get a two-fer!  That is, you get some Freebie Friday action, combined with an update on Rainbow Dolls.  I demo-ed for the group on doll jointing.  I focussed on moveable joints, primary button jointing, bead jointing and commercial plastic jointing.  It rurned out that a few members have been dabbling, or in the case of Karen been mastering, teddy bear making and so didn't need much help with plastic joints. 

Mavis made this gorgeous teddy, who is still in progress, if you can believe it:

And Stella had a go with crocheting a tiny mini teddy:

Karen, whose forte is teddies brought her cute "in progress" elf from Janet Clarke's course:

So that lot didn't need much help with commercial joints, but in case you do, check out Mimi Winer's tips on using commercial joints here. The only thing that I'd add to this, is that I find it helpful to interface the area with a lighweight fusible interfacing before snipping the holes for the joints.  And adding a little fray check to the snipped area too, for extra insurance.

We focussed more on button joints and beaded joints.  I showed Barbara Willis' method that I've learned from both her patterns and her classes (with her permission, of course). And Judi Ward's method.  Judi kindly also gave her permission to share her fabulous technique. I then moved on to bead jointing.  Download this free tutorial that I shared at the meeting, made up of all these great methods for doll jointing.  Download doll_jointing_tutorial.pdf.  If that wasn't quite enough info, check out this free tutorial with great visuals for Judi's doll jointing method as presented by Mimi Kirchner.

Well, the members always esem to put to use whatever info is passed on, so no doubt we'll see some fabulous doll joints in the near future.

After all, here's what Stella's been working on using the doll armature demo I gave a while back.  Go Stella!

   

A Grain of Truth

Rainbow Dolls had our monthly meeting at Rainbow Silks in Great Missenden, Bucks last Thursday.  Mavis and I teamed up to deliver a demo on using fabric grain in doll making.  I presented on grain in woven fabrics and Mavis presented some fabulous examples on using grain, or more accurately stretch, in knit fabrics (I am somewhat knit-challenged, so her part was a boon to me).

First off, I showed this rather unfortunate twisted torso example. 

The twist in the torso is caused by the fabric being off grain.  'Off grain' means that the warp (lengthwise thread) and the weft (crosswise threads) have become skewed, instead of being perpendicular to each other.  This often happens with cheaper fabrics (in my experience), but can happen in any type of woven fabric.  Ever had a pair of trousers or jeans where the side seams of the pant leg keeps twisting to the front?  That's because the trousers were cut off grain.  Once it's sewn there is nothing you can do about it.  So how do you keep your dolls from looking like they're pulling a Chubby Checker?

Check all your fabrics before you start cutting and sewing.  Here is a handy free guide on how to check and straighten your grain lines.

We then moved on to talking about how to use grain lines to your greatest advantage when laying out doll patterns on woven fabrics.  Most commonly, doll body parts are laid out with the straight of grain running along the length of the body part.  However, this is not the case for head patterns which are often cut on the bias.  The bias is the stretchiest portion of the fabric (as it lies at a 45 degree angle to the warp and weft threads).  The stretchiness of the bias allows doll makers to introduce some more shape and curve to faces.  When we stuff cheeks they stretch out and accommodate more stuffing if the head is bias cut, so your face looks more like this:

Instead of this:

Of course you might be going for this kind of look if you're, I don't know, creating a doll of a cadaver, or a supermodel whose only eaten one blueberry for the whole week, or maybe a tribute to Modigliani.  It is just a matter of what you want to achieve look-wise.  Incidentally, you can create this sunken cheek look by laying the straight of grain down the length of the head.  (Yes, I know, I have no shame...)

Even though body parts are often cut on the straight of grain, there are no hard and fast rules.  I took an Angela Jarecki class where we laid several body parts on the bias.  The body was very thin and boyish, so the bias helped to flesh her out a bit.  I've seen bias used in a Betts Vidal pattern where the dress was beautifully cut on the bias to achieve a drapey look.  One thing to watch out for is the two piece arm or leg.  Antonette Cely explains why in this video.  I know, I've shown it before, but if you missed it, here it is again, the bit on grain is invaluable:

Just keep in mind, that bias will stretch so only use it if you are after that effect.  Don't use it if you need to keep a consistent shape or a thin shape. 

Most patterns will indicate with an arrow where the designer would advise putting the grain.  To get it in the right place, simply line up the arrow with the straight of grain (which will always be parallel to the selvedge).

Knits are a whole other knit and caboodle (groan...couldn't resist).  Mavis explained how different knits have such different level of stretch.  They may stretch in both directions (like Dolskin) or in only one (like Doesuede).  The choice of which knit you pick will drastically change the size and character of the doll. Plus, the direction you choose to place the greatest stretch will also affect the size and shape of the doll.  Mavis made several examples using this free doll house miniature baby pattern.

The first baby from the left has the greatest stretch running width-wise across the body, baby 2 has the greatest stretch running length-wise on the body and babies 3 and 4 have the greatest stretch running across the 'bias' or diagonal across the body.  What a difference, huh?

Mavis also gave these hints:

SEWING STRETCHY (Knit/Jersey) FABRICS

1.        Clean your sewing machine before starting.

2.        Use a new ball-point (Jersey) needle.

3.        Use Stitch ‘n’ Tear to stop fabric being dragged into the feed dogs.

4.        You may need to loosen either or both top & bobbin tensions – experiment first on a scrap of waste cloth.

5.        Use very small stitches, and an open-toe appliqué foot (if your machine has one).

6.        The line of greatest stretch is usually used with your pattern length ways. BUT it is always interesting to try the other way, to see what will happen.

And those demos weren't enough, we had show and tell too.  Maureen brought a double sided goddess and a head (whose portraits are sadly blurry). New member Sue brought her vintage angel and rabbit.

   

Mavis brought this sculpted head that she did in a workshop.

I brought my Soul Whisperer.

And Jill brought her gorgeous self.

Next month we will be exploring different types of doll joints.  The month after we will be looking at how to give dolls an open mouth expression.  Interested in coming along?  E-mail me for more info.

   

Freebie Friday - a Really Good Vintage

My doll club, Rainbow Dolls has decided to take on a challenge.  We are going with the theme 'A Really Good Vintage', incorporating vintage materials and/or styles into our dolls.  While doing some research for my doll I found some pretty great vintage free stuff - tutorials, ageing recipes and patterns. 

There are really so many directions that you could go in for this theme.  I started thinking about the history of dolls and found this nice little article with some great pictures, click here to check it out.

I also found this great article on historical doll clothes.  It has some great tips and and a fantastic chart that shows the fabric and pattern types used during different periods. Click here to see this great reference.

Besides the commercially produced dolls of the past you could also consider more traditional doll forms.  the rag doll for instance, click here to see a free pattern.

Other doll forms like the apple head dolls traditionally made in North America are another option.  Click here to visit the Apple Dolls site.  It has free tutorials on carving heads, making bodies and clothes, plus 4 videos to watch for free.

Primitives are another style option for this type of theme.  Prim Mart has a whole page of tutorials on everything from how to sculpt a nose to how to make pantaloons.  Click here to take your pick.  If you'd rather have a prim pattern, they've got those too, click here to see what they've got for free.  Also, check out my previous post on prim Patterns for free by clicking here.

If you wanted something a bit different why not turn to the 1940's.  Here's a great pattern for a doll and her clothes.

Travelling further back in time, here is a great vintage knitting pattern for a doll sweater from 1904.

If you don't have access to actual vintage materials but you want your fabrics to have that vintage feel you could age them.  The technique you use depends on the look you are after.  If you want a grungy look you could try coffee dying.  A lot of primitive doll makers swear by coffee dying, here is an article that explains the process in some detail.  Coffee gives the fabric an umber hue.  Tea dying will often give an orange hue to the fabric, although different teas will give you slightly different colours.  The Country Cupboard has a good little article on ageing fabric with tea as well as several links to other websites with similar articles, click here to see it.  If you want your fabric to look yellowed then try dying with onions, here is an article to tell you how to do it from Inkin' and Thinkin' .  If you are looking for a more faded, well worn look then bleaching the fabric is best, Martha Stewart shares how to achieve that vintage look here.

One of the the club members pointed out that 'vintage' can be a pretty broad term now a days.  What is vintage we wondered?  I saw a girl not long ago wearing what I use to wear in the 80's and when I exclaimed at this, she informed me it was 'vintage'. Already????  My mum warned me this would happen.  I'm really sorry I bought polyester shirts Mum.  And I can't tell you how sorry I am for those bell bottoms I wore in university.   

The Meeting Went Smooth as Silk

Rainbow Dolls latest meeting was held on Thursday January 31st, at Rainbow Silks.  I unfortunately, couldn't make the meeting but was given the full report by our own Mavis, pictured here with two of her dolls, created in a class with British designer Janet Clark (if I'm not mistaken).

The fantastic Jill treated everyone to her expertise in working with silk.

As you can see, Jill loves to use silk on her dolls and does so with great effect.

Having been absent, Mavis has authored this report of Jill's presentation. Read all about it:

Jill showed an impressive selection of silk fabrics, sourced from her world travels, which included Thailand. She described how silk can be made to drape crisply or in soft curves (using an interlining of domette or flannelette), and everyone had a hands-on opportunity to make a stitched rosette. These were made from a 6-inch circle of silk, gathered with a running stitch round the edge. The circle was then pinch-pleated all over, in a random way, to produce either a softly-gathered flower shape, or an intensely secured organic button.  The rosettes can be further embellished with beads and/or other decorations, as desired.

Here Stella shows off her silk rosette.

And Karon works away on her rosette.

Jill’s recommendations for handling silk:

1. It’s much easier to use than is generally expected.
2. Some loosely-woven silks should be avoided.
3. Diana’s wedding dress should have had weights in the hem, which would have removed all those terrible creases (!).
4. Look at curtain books for suggestions of how to do swags, tails and drapes.
5. See late 19^th century costumes, especially those designed by Charles Frederick Worth around the 1880s.

For those of us who didn't make the meeting, check out this video on how to handle silk:

Mavis re-made our notice board for display at Rainbow Silks and created some leaflets about our illustrious group. 

If you want more info on our club, you can e-mail me or join our Yahoo Group.

Stella also took votes for the theme for our upcoming challenge.  We are still collecting votes from the Yahoo Group members who were not present to vote in person.  All will be revealed in the fullness of time....

Our next meeting will be Thursday February 28th at 1:30pm at Rainbow Silks.  Chris will be giving a demo on dying fabric.  Don't know about you but I need all the help I can get! 

Cookies and Dolls

Tuesday I sped off to Great Missenden for our meeting of Rainbow Dolls at Rainbow Silks (see how we got the name for the club, clever huh?).  I was armed with some coffee and pine nut sort of shortbread things and some old doll magazines to give away.   Plus, my doll Water Lily to show off.  The rest of the club were similarly prepared with yummies and dolls finished or in progress and Chris brought fabulous trims and fabrics for us.

Stella brought Stanley, a wee elf of her own design who is destined to be enjoyed by Stella's grandson. 

How cute is that?

Maureen brought along some cold porcelain roses she had hand sculpted.  We're a multi-disciplined bunch, ya know!

 

Chris brought a work in progress.  Although headless at the moment, this leggy beauty will be a tribute to fall.  Chris says she's considering a dolly boob-job as she is not entirely satisfied with the bust-line. 

The leaves that Chris has created for the doll's autumnal wardrobe are stunning in themselves - they are made of dyed lutrador and then stitched.

Between mouthfuls of munchies we discussed what we want out of the doll club next year.  We felt that we need to schedule some demos further in advance.  We also talked about possibly inviting guest speakers or going on field trips to artists' studios or museums.  Everyone was keen on a group effort and we felt that a challenge with a broad theme and a longer deadline would be helpful.  Everyone was very keen on then submitting the results of our challenge to a doll magazine.  Nothing quite gives you a high like seeing your name in print!  We'll be discussing possible themes at the meeting in January and also via our Yahoo Group.

So in the spirit of putting words into action we have scheduled demos for the next 3 meetings.

Thursday January 31st at 1:30pm, our own Jill will be doing a demo on handling silks, including the different types of silks available, how to cut silk, and one of Jill's specialities, how to make silk rosettes.

Thursday February 28th at 1:30pm Chris will be doing a demo on dying fabric including how to dye different types of fabrics.

Thursday March 20th at 1:30pm yours truly will be doing a demo on the different kinds of doll joints, including commercial plastic doll joints, bead joints, button joints etc.

The following dates have been arranged but the activities have not yet been decided on:Tuesday April 22nd, Thursday May 22nd, Thursday June 26th, Tuesday July 22nd, and Thursday August 28th.

If you are interested in joining Rainbow Dolls please feel free to come along to Rainbow Silks on the days above or e-mail me for more info.  Alternatively, you could join our Yahoo Group and join in on activities like our challenges if you wish.  There is even a handy dandy join-up button on the side bar of the blog.  The only thing about the Yahoo Group is that you can't sample my coffee and pine nut shortbread things.  Oh well, we'll just say that the Yahoo Group is the lower calorie version of Rainbow Dolls.

 

Bad Blogger, bad, bad, bad...

I went to visit my family in Canada and managed to fit in forays to craft and fabric places while I was at it, but NOT ONCE did I remember to take a photo.  Pathetic.  What kind of a blogger am I?  I suck.  So you'll just have to look at a picture of a pile of goodies that I bought in the Great White North.

Mmmm...stash.  I haven't even put it away yet.  I  am not yet finished lovingly stroking it.

I did manage to snap some photos of my swap dolls from America that arrived in the post while I was away.  I got this lovely beaded mermaid from Velia in San Marcos California.  Velia reads my blog, so thank you so much Velia, she is lovely.

And I don't know why I got so lucky, but I seemed to have received not 1 but 2 swap dolls.  Here is my second doll from Patrice Beesley from San Diego.  I love the colours.  So rich.  Thanks Patrice!

Now off to lie prone on my sofa so as not to do something too dumb while still jet lagged.