Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

dollmaking

Peg dolls!

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I’ll be posting the tutorial seperately seeing as it’s photo heavy. But first, an introduction starring the Peg Doll Girls!

Meet Jane, an all round nice girl, everybody’s friend.

This is Krishna, she loves spending time with her friends and is an adventurous cook.


Say hi to Jo, the funloving and adventurous one of the group.

This is Carmel, she’s a little bossy but a big softie underneath it all.

Last but not least is Anna the fashionista. Her favourite pastime is, yep, you guessed it – shopping!
Stay tuned for the tute on how to make your own peg dolls!

Garden fairy and soap

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One of my nieces (did I ever mention that I have 29 nieces and nephews?!) sent me a lovely handmade card for the baby so I decided to send her something in return (she is 5 years old).

Being a lover of all things pretty and girly, I thought a little 4 inch garden fairy would be just the thing. I was happy to get these light filled shots of the said fairy as it was a gloriously warm and sunny winter’s morn.

I made some goats milk and vanilla bean soap for a gift. It smelled gorgeous in the pot, almost exactly like panna cotta. Speaking of panna cotta, have you ever made it? You must, you must, its simply wonderful and easy too! Here’s a recipe for you:
Err, if you’re on a diet or watching your weight you may have to develop temporary amnesia before you down this cool delight!

Vanilla Panna Cotta

Serves 6

3 cups cream
1 cup milk
the seeds from a lovely moist vanilla bean (you can use vanilla extract, but it ain’t the same!)
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp gelatine

Bring the milk, cream, vanilla and sugar slowly to the boil. Remove from heat. Dissolve the gelatine in a little warm water just before stirring in to the cream mixture. Allow to cool to warm before pouring into moulds or some sort of container (I just use a plastic rectangular dish with tall sides) Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge overnight.

We have only eaten it plain, but next time husband suggested doing some fruit soaked in liquer as an accompaniment. I quite agree!

Some of my favourite dolls…

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I’ve lost count of how many dolls I’ve made and sold now.

I do have my favourites though.

Most are now scattered across the United States.

They’re all different and I loved making each and every one. Some people ask me if its hard to sell them, to let them go. No. I love the thought that someone loves what I do enough to buy one.
I love the thought of a little person getting around with one of my dolls tucked under their arm or into their bed.
This one is still for sale in my Etsy shop, the rest have been sold. I enjoy the challenge of custom orders too, you can purchase directly from the shop or contact me from here.

I hope your day brings you happiness, craftiness and contentment!

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.

My first doll design!!

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I’m so glad to have finished! So many hours from start to finish, but here she is – Anna! She has quite a few imperfections but this has really encouraged me to do my own thing, even if it takes so much longer. I had planned her as a giveaway, but wouldn’t you know it, she’s sitting on the shelf looking quite comfortable. Oh well, I’ll just have to make another……