This new epiphany came about sometime last week when I was discussing this very topic amonst other small quilt lovers in a Yahoo! group. Apparently there are many mini loving ladies out there who have at least one doll to display with their collection of special doll sized quilts. And some even have more!
This conversation led to an exquisite doll maker - Gail Wilson. I hadn't heard of her before, but I definitely knew her dolls. I have seen them in many quilting books as display dolls to show off historical mini quilts. I browsed her kits and lists of supplies. I flipped through pages of detailed explanations and wonderful doll making tools. And when it came right down to it, I decided that I too would like to attempt making one of her designs. The trouble is - I don't want to have to buy all the supplies needed to do so. I think the Hitty doll is my favourite, so adorable! I would definitely take the "pre-painting" service for the head! Good grief, I can't imagine making mine look so lovely!
Tying this doll topic in... Sunday was a chilly day and although the wind didn't seem to want to stay away, the rain and snow gave up the ghost and I was able to drag my good friend A. and my daughter to our local heritage village's annual festival of quilts. The quilts were quite lovely if I do say so myself, however I was might disappointed to discover that I had brought my camera and left the memory card at home! And to make matters worse I had left my Crackberry in the car! ACK! We took two pictures from A.'s cell phone:
Forgive the quality, gotta' love cellular cameras. Maybe the little lens needs a cleaning?
On the way out of the village on our way back to the car to make our way home, we discovered a little shop that sells fudge. Initially, I wil fully admit it, I went into the shop to buy the fudge, but when I got in there I found a much better prize! A vintage-style book with patterns and instructions to make your own cloth reproduction doll! Woo-freakin'-hoo! It is available at Amazon. Plus, when you scroll down on the Amazon page, they suggest several other books on cloth doll making.
The book includes full sized patterns to make the doll as well as several outfits including dresses, "undies", cape, cloak, pinafore, bouse, skirt, etc. A great find and just at the right timing too!
Maybe I'll just order the iron-on face detail and some hair from Gail Wilson. That'll take care of a few of the more detailed parts for me. Have a great week everyone and maybe you too will doscover something you still love from your childhood!
3 comments:
ohh... dolls! :)
Bring your camera with you next week and let me see if we can help it out a bit.
Gee. I seem to remember a wee little girl named Heather that had a cloth dolly (with yarn hair, sadly) and a whole wardrobe of clothing to fit. I also remember staying up long into the night working on them. Lace for the cuffs and necklines and ribbon ties for bonnets. Oh my goodness, who would have thought that after all these years it would come full circle.
Looks like you are having too much fun there!! Yes, we have to have someone who can actually use our mini doll quilts! LOL I'm impatiently awaiting to see your doll collection...
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