Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Dolls

What I’ve been up to

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I finished this custom doll to send off to a US customer, I hope she likes her. She is 18 inches tall and came together beautifully. Now on the to do list is a bear doll as a gift and another doll for the shop, which is looking a little empty. I really think we need a better camera, my photos always come up blurry and don’t show detail.

We spent a nice sunny morning at the park where we met some other homeschoolers, which is always nice. The kids had a ball at the park, I must make the effort to get there more often!

Waldorf teddy doll

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I’ve been thinking of combining doll and bear making for ages – and here she is!
I just happened to have some left over fur fabric from the bear I’m making for the boy, its so lovely and soft. I think this one would be a perfect night time companion. She is in my Etsy shop now, although some “little people” here would prefer that she stays……

SOLD – Thankyou Krissy!

Velvet pouch doll

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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.

Thursday

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This custom dolly is safely on her way to her new home, so hopefully the new owner won’t mind me posting these pics. I
made a little wool felt ted to go along with her.

This morning I made some fresh bread as the weather was cool. We then took sandwiches to the local gardens and had a picnic in
the shade of a weeping willow next to a pond. Besides the usual
struggle to keep the young’un in one place, it
was lovely. We also stopped in at the small secondhand book store

there and bought a few children’s books, which the older ones are now
poring over on the couch.

I’ve had a bad week but yesterday and today are feeling a little more
normal, the heat exacerbates the nausea so cooler days provide relief. I’m working on the Emmeline apron for my sister’s Christmas present (yeh, a little late, I know!) and its nearly finished. I’m sorely tempted to keep it for myself, but I’ll make another.

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.

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.