Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Kelly

Wool felt rabbit

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Here is what I came up with yesterday, I would make changes to the pattern if I make any more. The kids were competing over who was to be the new owner, but the boy won out. Unfortunately the rabbit was declared “too stiff” for snuggling in bed with!I’ve been checking out the Duggar’s website, this family has inspired me for a long time, truly wondrous.I hope you enjoy your weekend in peace and joy. God bless you all.

Emmeline apron

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Here it is, it took me forever to get on to it but my sister will finally get her Christmas present! I wholeheartedly recommend this pattern, it came together beautifully and looks fabulous. You can get it here but I purchased mine from the Crafty Mamas Shop.
Lastnight I drew up a bunny rabbit design for some of my wool felt, so I hope to get time to work on one today. I’m a little in between with projects, not really knowing what to do next. My dilemma is – I want to continue making waldorf dolls but my profit margin is so slim its not really worth the time and effort put in. I don’t know whether people will still buy them if I raise the prices. I think I’ll make a couple more, put them in the Etsy shop for a higher price and see what happens. On a regular sized doll I usually make $20 – 30 for about 15 hours work. And my time is limited.
Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time is make some bears as collectables so one of my aims for this year is to make a bear that I consider good enough to enter into a competition. Fingers crossed, we’ll see how I go!

Knitted pouch doll

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What a blurry photo! I just finished this little doll tonight, she is so cute! She is a pouch doll with a knitted body and hat. I used some beautiful organic Victorian wool for the knitting, it is so good to use. I’m giving her to 18 month old daughter (no hair, so she can’t pull it all out!)

Little Theresa

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Here she is as promised. She is the first doll I’ve given a fringe (bangs if you’re not an Aussie) and it looks quite cute. I gave her freckles too. She is 9 inches tall and going to reside in my Etsy shop today.

Baby news!

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Yes, we are expecting baby no. 4 sometime in August next year! I’m very excited but have also been terribly sick, hence my continual absence here. Feel free to leave your pregnancy nausea tips here, there may be one I haven’t tried yet!
I’d also love to hear from anyone who has had repeat caesarians as is unfortunately the case with me.

Today we are trying to make preparations for Christmas which has been seriously hampered by my condition this year, but we’ve managed to make decorations, do the tree and are making marshmallows. The lunchtime bread is made and cooling. We’re keeping our food fairly simple this year too, my dear husband has to work Christmas day but there are prawns in the freezer and a lasagne (kid’s request) in the works. Husband will make his famous truffles as usual. We will attend the vigil mass tomorrow evening.
What a lovely time of year, I hope yours is too.

Hannah!

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Meet Hannah! She was a real labour of love and took the best part of a week to fully complete, but she turned out wonderfully. She is
made with the usual natural materials and the wool used to knit her hat and scarf were locally produced in Victoria. She is 18 inches tall. Definately my favourite so far! She is in the Etsy shop now.
SOLD – Thankyou!

Cloth doll making tips

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Here are a few tips that might help you out if you’re a beginner:

1. Do an internet search on the type of doll you’re interested in to get ideas and hints and an idea of materials you might need.

2. Use good quality materials if you can afford to. If you’re scared you might mess up the first one or two, try making them out of inexpensive calico or something similar first.

3. Use small machine stitches when sewing up the body, I set my stitch length to number 2.

4. I find it much easier to fold the fabric in half, draw the body design on, then sew and cut out last. This way you can control the pieces more readily and can get really fine seams when you cut it out.

5. Draw the outlines for the body on with a dark pencil so you can be precise when sewing.

6. For sewing tight curves I use the rule of stitch, stitch, turn. For larger curves the rule is stitch, stitch, stitch, turn. Leave the machine needle down in the fabric whilst turning, and make the turn gradual, not sharp.

7. Take your time to make your doll, rushing or stressing is not enjoyable.

8. If you find yoursef getting frustrated with any aspect of your doll, leave it for a while. You will have a fresh perspective when you come back to it.

Any questions? Well, I’m still learning more all the time, but ask anything you like and I’ll try to answer.