Patter from Patti

Doll designing

Working on Ms. Maddie Hatter's bodice has been a real challenge. I wanted a pieced bodice that accentuated her bust.  It took me all day to get that figured out, but I finally got it. 

As you can see from the photo her dress is almost finished.  All I have to do is add the ribbon work down the center of the bust, a purse and shoes,  and a few embellishments to the hat.

This is the doll I'll be teaching on the cruise in February. 

Those coming on the cruise will make the doll before arriving on the ship.  During the cruise we'll do the embellishing.  She'll have some silk ribbon work, silk cocoon dangles, a purse and several hats that we'll make on the cruise.

Most of the supplies will be included for the techniques taught.  All everyone needs to bring is the pre-work (doll body and clothing), a basic sewing kit and personal items.  No machines will be needed.

The dates are Feb. 25-March 7, 2011.  Contact:

http://www.clothdollcruises.com

Doll design week

Today I worked on Ms. Maddie Hatter's socks and knickers.  What fun I had.  I'll be posting a few pictures soon.  Who is Ms Maddie Hatter you ask?  She's the doll I'll be teaching on the next doll cruise.

Right now she's pretty naked, except for her socks and knickers.  The hat she's got on in the photo is not what she'll be wearing on the cruise.  In fact, she'll have several hats.

Part of what we'll be doing on the cruise is making several hats.  She's a hatter, you know.  She must have many hats. 

We'll also be working with silk cocoons adding all kinds of embellishments to them to add to her hats and to her purses.

It will be great fun.  Hope you can join us.  Here's the website for more details:

http://www.clothdollcruises.com

Today the September/October issue of Soft Dolls & Animals arrived.  Scott Publications does a terrific job of putting an issue together.  They like to include projects for all levels of doll and animal making.

But, there was a blatant copyright infringement in this issue.  Coco, the Jester Clown that starts on page 44 is a direct copy out of my "Creative Cloth Doll Making" book.  The person who made the clown didn't even bother to remove the markings from the pattern pieces.  All my publishers markings are shown in black and white.  So, afraid both the magazine and doll maker will be getting a nice little letter from the attorneys.  Glad I'm not in their shoes.  It won't be pleasant.

The project, Coco, the Jester Clown, used the pattern I designed for the cover of the book.  If you are going to copy someone, you certainly shouldn't use a cover girl.

But, no one should use someone's pattern and claim it is their own design.  I love it when people use my books and patterns to create dolls to sell, give away, keep.  But, you can't photo copy the patterns and use them in another publication and claim it is your own design.

Just a little venting on my part today.  Later this week I'll get back to fun stuff.

Happy doll making, and I do hope you send me pictures of the dolls you've made from my designs.

England trip

Since it is so much easier to update my blog over my website I'm going to share what I'll be teaching in England this year here.

September 24-26 I'll be at Fobbles in Cumbria.  We'll be making Xiuying.  She's a modern day Chinese girl with fun clothing made with craft foam and fabric. 

Along with the outfit we'll make simple beaded flowers and embroidered roses to embellish her neckline, wrists and shoes.  Her lantern is created with silk cocoons that we will hand dye to match our theme.

Xiuying has a full wire armature which allows you to give her more an an attitude.  She's a fun doll to make.

For more information contact  Beverley at:

http://www.fobbles.co.uk

October 1-3 I will be in Torquay teaching LiMei.

LiMei is also Asian and has a full wire armature.  She teaches silk painting and dyeing, silk cocoon work, creating a face with Shiva/Markal Painstiks and beautiful Lotus shoes.

Fun flowers are made from organza and silk ribbons.  Simple beadwork is done and we'll use the embellishing machine to create her obi and pouch.                                                                                                                                               LiMei also uses the silk/rayon fabrics made exclusively in Japan.  I order directly from a supplier in Japan.  They are beautiful fabrics to work with and add to the garments hand-dyed by each participant.

Contact Sylvia at [email protected]

My last workshop will be at CraftyNotions in Newark.  I'll be there October 16.  Sarah and I have decided on one of my purses as the project I'll teach here.

We'll use the embellishing machines to create some of the fabric used for the base of the purse.  We'll then stamp, or draw an image as the focal point of the purse, then color it using Sarah's paints and inks.    Sarah has some of the most exciting paints I've used.  If you've not been to her website you are in for a real treat.  I see Sarah each year at the Knitting & Stitching Show in London and get into a lot of trouble in her stand.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Her website is:                                                     http://www.craftynotions.com                                                                                                         To finish the purse I'll show a simple beaded flower and how to attach trims and laces to add more interest to the purse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Hope to see many of you while I'm in England.