dollmaking

Custom waldorf softie doll

Recently I had a request for a softie doll from a customer who had previously purchased one for her niece. Apparently, the doll was so well loved that another was wanted. We decided to make a “sister” for the first doll and I just happened to have enough of this cute green mushroom fabric left to keep the mushroom theme going.

Here is the original. I think they make great sisters and I hope that the new doll will be as well loved as the old 🙂

If you like this style of doll I have 2 tutorials on how to make your own. The first tutorial is here and the second is here.

Oh, and a reminder that the 500 likes celebration giveaway is still running – you can win some lovely hand dyed yarn by entering here.

Some wee waldorf dolls

by Kelly 7 Comments

The winner of my Christmas giveaway was Tas and she requested some wee waldorf dolls for her daughter. They are only 6 inches (15cm) tall. I can show them here now because they have been (well) received.

Her daughter loves pink and is warming to red, so the dress colours were chosen accordingly. The blondie has mohair yarn for hair and the brunette has curly dyed mohair (one of my favourite materials ever!)

Plenty on the “to do” list today but unfortunately no crafting on the agenda, too much “important stuff” to be done.
Perhaps I could sneak in a few minutes of hand embroidery tonight?…..

Mohair is just so pretty!

by Kelly 2 Comments

This doll is a custom order for Christmas. The customer sent me some fabrics with specifications for clothing. I’ll admit I was a little skeptical about the colourways but I think they’ve come together beautifully.

The pants are bamboo velour, the top is a knit and the pinafore a cotton print. She also included the green wool felt so I made a bag with that. She has other outfits too but in my haste to send her off before Christmas I haven’t take extra photos.

The customer also requested mohair for the hair. This is sewn on piece by little piece until the whole head is covered. It takes a long time!

This dyed mohair is from Stokesay Mohair farm in Victoria, it is really beautiful stuff and gives such a realistic look to a doll.

My Melbourne Show entry

by Kelly 12 Comments

Hooray, finished in the nick of time!

A doll and her doll!

I used 3 different yarns for the big doll’s hair – sheep’s wool, mohair and alpaca in three colours.

If you’re braving the show this year please do pop in to the art and craft pavillion to see one of my dolls “in the cloth”. She (they!) will be in the Novelty Toy section.

Little embroidered wool felt shoes (recognise the bird print Nic?)

This will be my first entry into any art and craft competition so it’s quite exciting. Thanks to Nic from Yardage Design for the heads up and encouragement. Wish me luck!

Lil’ Mim sisters

by Kelly 5 Comments

I finished the other doll I was working on, her new owner loves the colour blue and has hazel eyes with brown hair. I decided to give her super long hair, I just love a doll with long hair.

This is the first time I’ve made a pair of dolls for sisters, I think it’s really beautiful that they’ll both have their own special doll for Christmas. These 2 are about 13 inches tall and made with the my usual favourites – cotton tricot, carded wool, mohair yarn and lovely prints for their dresses.

Last night I started work on my doll for the Melbourne Show, I’ve left it a little late, but it’s cool, she’ll get there!

Strawberries and cream

by Kelly 4 Comments

That’s what she makes me think of. She is a custom order I’ve just finished for a little girl. I’m working on a doll for her sister now. I knitted her a little bolero shrug out of cashmere that turned out very nicely even though I don’t really know what I’m doing when I pick up the knitting needles.

A back view of the bolero shrug.

I like to always put a little surprise like this into my customer’s parcels. I want them to be really delighted when they open it up and get something extra that they don’t expect.

I hope her new owner likes her!

In my studio today…

by Kelly 3 Comments

Doesn’t that sound posh – “In my studio?” Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to really have a studio but for now lets just pretend!

Some cheery little doll’s faces for a custom order. Don’t they look comical without hair?

Some more colour experimentation with fabric painting. I went for soft hues with these. The blue one is on homespun.

I painted cotton lawn with soft pinks, yellows and reds for this soft and muted one.

I’m contemplating introducing hand dyed and painted fabrics, ribbons and threads to my Etsy shop.

Any thoughts?

Busy, busy, busy!!

by Kelly 6 Comments

I’ve managed to fit in a lot of sewing and crafting time this week. I’m showing glimpses of something I’ve been working on to try and impress someone. More about that later I hope.

I love the colour combinations.

I’m so pleased with the finished product.

This being my 399th post can only mean one thing.

So.. to celebrate my 400th post (and today – my 34th birthday!) I’m running a giveaway.

Stay tuned, it’s a good one!

Baby’s first waldorf softie

by Kelly 8 Comments

Well, she isn’t such a baby anymore, her first birthday is next month! Although she won’t be playing with dolls for a little while yet I think it is a beautiful first birthday gift.

I made this 12 inch doll’s body from soft flannel. I tried out a new hair technique and am very satisfied with the results, it’s very secure and lifelike with no long strands for busy little fingers to pull out. I can also add a pony tail later if it’s wanted.

Bub’s initial is embroidered so there can be no question of ownership (she does have two sisters after all!)

UFO or PFP?

by Kelly 5 Comments

The former being Unfinished Object and the latter being Partly Finished Project. I think I like PFP – it’s a little more positive, more like a WIP (Work in Progress) and less like a FTF (Failure to Finish).

Whatever you choose to label it, I have 13 of them! Now, I know I’m not alone on this, and probably like me you avoid the fact that you have so many projects on the go at one time. It’s your little secret, am I right?

As finances are a bit tight at the moment and I can’t indulge in new materials I’m finding it a perfect time to finish off a few of those projects that had just been “put aside later” AKA “I’ve lost motivation and can’t be bothered”.

Here are a few things I’m working on:

Baby gowns and blankets for the Bonnie Babes Foundation. Some finished, many unfinished!

A cute waldorf softie doll (needs hair)

Embroidering vintage pieces (pure joy!)

Baby Mary Janes (need snaps).

So, how about you share your little secret? How many PFP’s do you currently have?