Hairstyle trends on Sweet Violet

One of my favorite things about doll making is finding and repurposing textiles.  For this little girl I am working with a vintage Pendleton wool blanket.  It was in really good condition and could still function as a blanket, but its color and weight screamed “I’m perfect for doll hair’ so that’s how I’m using it.  I experimented with different shapes and layering, adding seams to create curved shapes.

Here’s the sketchbook with notes of my final pattern shapes for the 11 1/2 inch doll.

I 

layered the shapes onto the head, stitching carefully to secure and style the shapes working from the nape to the crown.

And, the finished coiffure with a felted wool headband and flower accent!

An outfit and a mouse for a girl

I’m dressing the blonde 11 1/2 inch dolls destined for a home in Boston...

Nearing the finish line

The completion of a series of linen bodied rag dolls with one of a kind molded faces is very near. As has always been the way in my studio, my work table is a jumble of supplies and projects when I near the finish line. I’m very organized during each individual phase then lose it all as I complete the last details and assembly.

The little girl below is one a pair of ‘twins’ though each has her own unique facial expression and hair style designed from blonde vintage felted Pendleton wool. Their clothes are sewn, and they have on their shoes but need undies and their felted wool hairstyles carefully stitched to their heads yet. They will be going to live with two little girls in Boston once they’re all finished. 

It’s a joy for me to create dolls for imaginary children but also as a commission for a child who knows ‘just what her doll should look like.’  If you know a child who has just such a need and you’d like to discuss a commission, send me a message.

Two Fine Friends

There is a long history of dolls known as ‘Topsy Turvy’ or ‘Upside Down” dolls.  I call my dolls with two personalities ‘Best Friend’ dolls and they are a child and her animal companion.  Flip the skirt and see the friend!  I’ve been working on two of these dolls, and today spent time on skirts for one of them.  I love watching the personalities of these dolls unfold as I cut and pin and stitch. 

By tomorrow I’ll have undergarments on both dolls, and they’ll be dressed in their new outfits and ready for the reveal!  Until then, here they are still in production:

This funny looking garment on the left will become a reversible skirt for each of these girls.  On the right, a vintage tea towel from Creative Reuse of Pittsburgh becomes an apron..