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.
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!
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.
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.
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:
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!
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.
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.
I received a couple more pictures through from Rainbow Doll Club members of the goddess dolls they created for our swap with Patti Culea's doll club.
Wendy created this little cutie.
Karen , one of our overseas members who participates through our Yahoo group created this gorgeous goddess from a free pattern provided by member, Janet Clarke. Isn't she fab?
Getting these pictures through inspired me to point you toward some free goddess doll patterns on the net. Here's the round up:
Here are a whole bunch of simple goddess doll patterns from Kivett Studio. The examples on this website show some beautiful beading. Beads...mmmmm...shiney......
Click here to see a free goddess doll from British designer Sara Maddocks.
Or how about this beautiful goddess doll designed by Jill Maas. Click here to see the pattern. I love this little one and have shared her before, but it's my blog and I'll do what I wanna. Here is a goddess doll that I made from this pattern.
Click here to see Sherry Goshon's Goddess of Love pattern.
Or this very funky goddess pin doll, Jump Start my Heart by Heather Gailey. Click here for the pattern.
I keep meaning to make this Healing Goddess by Marcia Acker-Missal. Click here to see it.
Mary Tressler has a great goddess doll called the Totem Doll. Click here to see the pattern.
I bet you are feeling all spiritual just looking at these right? Mmmm....the peaceful zen of free patterns.
On Thursday October 11th, Rainbow Dolls had their monthly meeting, this time at Blue Haze in Chesham. Stupidly, yours truly booked the day off work and bought tickets for the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally for the same day. Yes, I am a moron sometimes. So Mavis did the head honcho-ing duties and gave a talk on her method for constructing fist-sized heads after the method of Lisa Lichtenfels.
Jill, Maureen and Mavis brought dolls for the swap with Patti Culea's club members. Jill's goddess featured lovely draped and beaded clothing.
Maureen made a snake goddess, who can be detached from her "snake throne." Maureen says that the eventual new owner of this goddess might like to do some more beading on her or her throne.
Mavis created a blue goddess, called "A goddess of the wild blue yonder". She was made as a result of a printing, painting and stamping class with Sherrill Kahn.
Mavis also made a green goddess, named "A garden goddess from across the sea," which was also made after the Sherrill Kahn class.
Shashi, made a mermaid sea goddess that she posted on her blog, click here to see it.
A number of or other long distance members participate via the Yahoo Group. Maybe if we're good we'll get sent some links to photos of these dolls? If you fancy joining our Yahoo Group their is a nifty Join button at the bottom right side of my blog.
I've already posted my primitive style, British babe created out of the Star Spangled Banner Sheet music which I printed on fabric then painted with the Stars and Stripes. But here she is again. I obviously, took a slightly different interpretation of the Across the Sea theme. I was going for that 'special relationship' angle.
A couple of new members also joined in on the fun on Thursday. We'd love to have more fresh victims, e-mail me if you are interested. We don't bite and are only slightly crazy.
Rainbow Dolls had our monthly meeting today at Rainbow Silks. Jill had requested some help with wire armatures and I duly obliged with a demo on one method of creating a doll body using a wire armature. I adapted this method for cloth dolls largely from Maureen Carlson's book Family and Friends in Polymer Clay. Although the book is meant for polymer clay doll artists I feel it is indispensable for all doll artists. Besides the bits explaining making armatures, this book beautifully illustrates what happens when you play with facial and body proportions. Unlike some polymer clay artists (not all, but a few) Maureen's Carlson's approach is 'Here are the rules - break them if you want'. I love her playful approach. Too much reality is just stifling.
Too see how I have adjusted Maureen Carlson's approach to better suit cloth dolls download this free tutorial on building a wire armature: Download wire_armature_tutorial.pdf . But do invest in Maureen's book - you won't regret it.
In our demo today I used Shelley Hawkey's pattern for the head and hands of Dylan the Elf from the December 2006 issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming. Everyone seemed really impressed with him. Well, he is pretty cute. 
I gave him a little hat and slippers for his photo, but the wadding on his body has not been tacked in place, nor has he been skinned (that is the body covered in fabric, not skinned like a 'coon) If you want to purchase back issues of this magazine click here to buy the magazine from Jan Horrox.
To my mind,
There are 2 basic ways for making a doll with an armature:
My tutorial covers method number 2. If, however you are keen to learn method number 1 click here to see Mimi Winer's free tutorial on wire armatures.
For a good general article on wire armatures by Martha Checkett click here.
If you want a simplified version of the wrapping method to make a simple doll with a bead head try this free tutorial from Susanna Oroyan via the DIY Network by clicking here.
It is hard to believe but I actually managed to make the armature and talk at the same time all in under an hour. Even I was impressed.
I was even more impressed by the dolls and projects the other members brought to show. Here is Chris' in-progress fairy:
Jill's gorgeous Oriental quilt:
And Stella's own design for her interpretation of Klimt's the Kiss in cloth, also inspired by our last meeting where we played with stamps and painting:
See, you never know where something you've learned at your doll club will take you! So let's start seeing some dolls with wire armatures. Go on, wire you waiting?
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