Search Results for: dolls

Time to pick up old threads

My doll sales at Etsy have steeply declined; that is to say, I haven’t had a sale in weeks. Its been getting me down quite a bit as I feel the dolls I’m making now are the best I’ve ever done and I really don’t want to lower my prices as they are already low. Some other dollmakers seem to be booming.

Anyhow… in my mopey state I decided to refocus. I hadn’t embroidered for some time so I picked up the needle and hoop again. I went through all my designs (of which there are plenty that are still just on paper) and I picked out Mr. Brown. Poor Mr Brown has been flat shades of grey for so long I simply had to do something about it. This is a sneak peek and I must say I’m loving stitching all over again.

I’m also knitting possibly the smallest thing I’ve ever knitted for this project.

Must put in a reminder for the GIVEAWAY!

Crafty Mamas swap

by Kelly 2 Comments

Thankyou Tas! So many little buttons and ribbons, she even included a fabric book for the new baby.

These are my favourite, crocheted flowers, just gorgeous.

I also received a little package from Stokesay mohair Farm today, some beautifully soft mohair I intend to use on dolls. So, its been a good day for me so far 🙂

How to make a knitted pouch doll

by Kelly 1 Comment

These are rough instructions, if you can knit you should be fine.

You will need:

small square of tricot

small square of lining

crochet cotton or string

clean carded wool

embroidery thread

1 50g ball of yarn

1. Make the head first. I will not give instructions for this here as there are some really good photo tutorials here and here. I also highly recomment the book “Making Waldorf Dolls” by Maricristin Sealey, it is an excellent resource for dollmakers. For this project you will want a small head, about the size of a golf ball or slightly larger. Leave a little fabric and wool beneath the neck of the head so that when you sew the head to the body it is firm, not floppy.

2. Embroider in the doll’s facial features by taking the needle in through the back of the head and out the front. The back of the head will be covered so the thread showing doesn’t matter.

3. Now knit a square measuring approximately 7 inches x 7 inches. You can knit in garter or stockinette stitch, whatever you prefer. I use 8 ply yarn on 3 & 3/4 sized needles. You want a tight knit to prevent your stuffing from poking through. Knit another square identical to the first. Join them together on 3 sides, right sides together, then turn right side out. Leave the top edge open for now. Stuff your pouch with carded wool, not too much or your doll will be very fat!

Insert the head into the top opening and pin in place. Sew up either side of the head firmly. Then, sew around the neck, joining it to the body with matching cotton thread. Sew around twice and check that the head will stay in firmly.

4. Knit a little pixie hat for your doll. Cast on 30 – 40 stitches (depending on the size of head). Knit 2 rows of rib stitch (knit 1, purl 1, repeat to end of row). Then knit in garter or stockinette until the hat will reach the top of the doll’s head. Then start to decrease gradually so that you end up with about 5 stitches left on the needle. Cast off. Join, right sides together so the top of the hat meets in a little point. Turn right side out and fit onto head. Sew on firmly with cotton thread.

5. You can leave the doll as is, or, to give the illusion of little wing – like arms run a gathering stitch with yarn from one side of the body and right around. Pull until you have the right tension.

6. Give the doll to a toddler and watch their face light up!

Note: I’m no expert at knitting, being self taught. If these instructions don’t make sense or you need clarification please let me know so I can improve my online teaching skills!

Velvet pouch doll

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I’m really into these pouch dolls of late, they’re so snuggly and cute. This one is going into the Etsy shop.

I’m working on a new waldorf type design that I’m very enthusiastic about but requires a lot of planning and thought. It will also use some materials I haven’t used before, so I have more to learn.

Its really warm here today and not much happening after Mass this morning. We’re planning a trip to the beach tomorrow as its supposed to be hot.

Emmeline apron

by Kelly Leave a Comment

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!

On my sewing table today….

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Besides the sprawling mess I have 2 dolls I’m working on. I haven’t started their outfits yet but have knitted a doll scarf and will do a matching hat with my lovely rainbow wool. Also have a top from sewing class to hem. The dolls take up a lot of time but are so rewarding.

Whatever you’re doing on this Saturday I hope you are relaxed and happy.

God bless.

Books

by Kelly Leave a Comment

My mother in law has loaned an excellent book to me, I can hardly put it down. It is about a Christian woman’s journey through prison and labour camps under communist rule. I love to read these true stories as it teaches me so much about myself and my own life. It reminds me of how selfish and materialistic I am and that my faith needs to be so much stronger. My life is so easy and I take it for granted. The title of the book is “The Pastor’s Wife” by Sabina Wurmbrand.

On the sewing front I made a nappy cover and notebook cover yesterday, both of which turned out nicely. Now I’m waiting on my next Winterwood delivery so I can start on some more dolls and fill up my sad little Etsy shop.

My husband has cruised the garage sales this morning and come home with a bunch of action figures (enter very happy son!) and some excellent big lattice screens for the garden. Our new water tank arrives on Monday, can’t wait! Now all we need is some rain to fill it!

I hope you have a wonderful and productive weekend.
God bless.

Jen

by Kelly 1 Comment

I’ve taken a new direction with my dolls, and here is the result of the first new design. I like a lot of aspects about waldorf dolls, but wanted to make them in my own style. I absoloutely love working with the natural materials and hope to make a lot more. Jen is going into my Etsy shop.

Doll for niece

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I’ve been having a bit of a break from the computer to spend more time on other pursuits, dial up connection is so slow!!
Anyway, I’ve made a gift for one of my nieces confirmation on the weekend, yes its a doll!
Its very hard to photograph these brown skinned dolls but they look so lovely in reality.

I attended a Catholic homeschoolers parent support night lastnight which was very good. Its wonderful to be around people who share the same goals in life, and there were many ladies I had not met before. I will be trying to attend this meeting every month now.

Craft and Quilt fair

by Kelly 1 Comment

I dragged my sister along on Saturday, I thought it would be busy, but wow! I’m not usually one for group situations so I didn’t really enjoy being bustled around in a massive crowd. I did however, enjoy looking at the stalls and so many fabrics! I was very good and didn’t buy much, I think I was a bit overwhelmed by choice and didn’t want to get carried away. I loved the Katkins Designs stall and Karlene was lovely to deal with. Her dolls are inspirational and I finally got a turning tool which will enable me to make small dolls.

We had a real frost here this morning, I’ll have to inspect the garden for damage. It was so cold my hands hurt drying off lastnight’s metal cutlery from the drying rack. We’re off to the doctor this morning for the dreaded immunisations, one of my least favourite tasks as a Mum.