Patter from Patti

Making dolls

As you know, I love showing dolls made by people in my classes, or from my patterns.  Last year I was teaching one of my newest patterns at the Calico Cat Quilt Shop in Auburn, Washington.  I had the best time with everyone in the class and a few have sent me photo's.

This is the doll I was teaching.  She's my answer to the expensive, but wonderful BJD's.  What is a BJD you ask?  It is a ball-jointed doll.  Most are made from porcelain or clays and range from $700 to in the thousands.

I love these dolls, but can't afford one, so came up with my own version.

Mikaela, and Lizzy (that's her wee doll she's holding) are really fun to make.  Mikaela has the large eyes that are common in the BJD's. 

Her joints are created with wooden beads hidden under the fabric of her elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. 

She is a pattern on my website, and presently has one option for clothing and a new outfit will be added soon.

Anyway, this is the doll we were making in the class.  Here are a couple sent from people in the class.  Their dolls are fantastic.

 

These two beauties are made by Marcia and Janice.  I love the faces on these two "girls". Also, check out the stockings. 

In the pattern I suggest childrens striped socks found at thrift stores, or on sale at childrens clothing stores or departments.  But, I've also found some pretty good choices in baby clothes at thrift stores. 

The other thing I love about these two is their hair.  But, I love their clothing, shoes and their Lizzy's.

The blond haired version is made by Ethel McLellan, who was also in the class.  Ethel's doll is beautifully made and so different from Marcia and Janice. 

That is one thing I dearly love about a class.  Everyone is making the same doll, but each doll comes out totally different.

Typepad and I are not getting along tonight.  I had Ethe's doll next to the text and now she's moved away.

The next doll, in the white and pink, is from my first book  "Creative Cloth Doll Making".  She is made by Sharon Sheldrick.  Sharon called her "Desiree".  She is a very whimsical doll and I love the expression on her face. 

I see Ethel's Vicki is moving further and further away, so best close this post.

Hopefully next time I update my blog Typepad will be functioning better.  I have loved this program and most of the time have been happy. 

Do send me pictures.  I love sharing with those who read my blog.

                                          

                                                                                                                     

My Bernina

I get a lot of questions as to what sewing machine I use and like.  Easy answer.  Bernina! 

Sunday, my friend and photographer came to our house to take photo's of my "studio" for the new book I'm doing for Rockport/Quarry. I had him take a photo of me with my Bernina 440.  Actually, it isn't mine.  Yet.  It is on loan from Bernina and when my contract is up I will be buying it.

Why do I like Bernina machines?  They have lasting power.  I do a heap of free motion machining.  This requires a machine to really sew fast, long and hard.  My Bernina never over-heats, slows down, gets cranky.  When I teach a class where we do free motion machine work the Bernina's purr right along.  Other machines have to be turned off for awhile to cool down.

The project I'm sewing on is a friendship journal.  Several of us made pages for each other.  That is the cover for mine.  I'll post a picture of the finished journal later.

The project to the left is one I did for Bernina to show free motion machine work using the BSR that comes with the 440.  A BSR is the Bernina Stitch Regulator.  Perfect for even stitches when doing free motion work.  The project is a tube covered with an appliqued scene.  It unrolls to reveal a place to keep a project safe while not working on it.

The doll to the right has felted shoes that were created with the felting/embellishing attachment that also works on the 440.  The attachment works on several other Bernina machines, too.  Part of her clothing and wings were done with free motion sewing.

And, finally, the project I did for my last book was created with my Bernina 440. 

This is kind of a blatant advertisement for Bernina, but you've asked and I have now answered.

Other Bernina's that I have are an old 1230 that I'll never get rid of;  two Activa 240's and a 200e.  Yes.  I'm a Bernina fan to the max!

The new book I mentioned earlier is one three of us are doing for Rockport/Quarry.  The other two are elinor peace bailey and Barbara Willis.  It will be a doll making book with a twist.  You can imagine what that twist is knowing how different the three of us are from each other.  The working title of the book is "Cloth Doll Workshop".  We'll be sharing our studio's and how we go about making a doll.  Patterns will be included for the projects each of us will be introducing. 

The projected release date will be Summer 2010.  Keep coming back here for more updates on the book, and other projects.

Happy doll making!