3rd day of Soft Dolls cont:

Hi Im back and I've decided that you all should just come right along with me as Im making this. In between the actual sewing and such I will as Ive said post pics of things Ive made in the past,dolls, crafts, costumes and more! Above you can view Ms. Sophia atop her kitty condo :)

I dont know what this doll will look like yet, he or she will be a work in progress and will unfold before our very eyes! I worked on the "Traveling Gypsy" in this manner also and didnt know that she would be a gypsy until I began her hair and clothing. My patterns are hand made (my Mother Juanita taught me how to do this-as I mentioned before she was a professional seamstress) as you will see this allows me to be more creative. I can pick and choose what I really want my doll to look like, wear and more :D

Ok enough of my jabbering...I have pics of the pattern pieces and the material already cut out. I used a wet erase marking pen (you can buy a disappearing ink style if you like) to trace around the pattern because knit fabric is a little bit shifty lol. I also used a seam clamp to hold both pieces of material
together while I cut around the tracings.

next you see the pattern pieces and the material that has been cut out. Dont worry about the ink showing because you will not see this once you've sewn them together.

 The next step we will take once we have sewn the head together is stuffing it and then sewing or rather sculpting the face and bringing the features to life..this is the fun part!

Be back soooon, Dulce

2nd day of Soft Sculptured Dolls revised!

Hellooooo to all of you who are looking forward to this adventure in making a soft sculptured doll! I know I am.....but lets back track a bit...hmmm.
What Ive decided is that I will make the doll, post it in its complete stage and then let you decide on your venture.

I will start with the doll made and then I will show you step by step how I made it. You can then decide, hmm, do I like the way this doll looks or would I like to wait for another. There will be others!

I will post some of the other dolls that I have made in the past, throughout the years and give you some ideas and maybe some incentive. Doll making really has been a passion of mine for so many years.

My Mother got me excited about dolls when I was very young with all of the many that she would make for myself, my sister and my cousins. She would make these two headed dolls that I absolutely loved! One was awake on one side-with day clothes and the other was asleep with pajamas. My cousin Sandra just reminded me today about this one. Thank you Sandra.

I will get my dolls out of hiding throughout the next few days and polish up the faces and dresses or outfits. They've been in boxes for sometime now, how I've missed seeing them.

So until then I will post a few fun things relating to my dolls and the items that I use and are fond of. And of course we can't forget Ms. Sophia the "nutball" in my life......making every stitch a project in itself. Just trying to cut the material out today was a "stitch

Day One of Soft Sculptured Dolls

Hello to all...Its day one of soft sculptured dolls and Im very excited to show you what Ive come up with!

First I will give you the list of materials needed:

1. Pattern for face (its provided below)
2. Scissors
3. Pins
4. Material (I've used a flesh toned knit with a
bit of stretch,you can use any color that suits you just make sure its
stretchy :)
5. Thread to match your material
6. Gesso (you can buy this at any craft/art store) for priming the face
once its sewn
7. Water color pencils ( I prefer Faber-Castell Aquarelle )
8. A small artists brush -line or detailer style
9. Flesh toned acrylic paint or color of your choosing and a small brush
to apply it with. You can also use this same brush to apply the gesso.
I beleive that should do it for the beginning of our project. I will post the pattern and the items that im using and we can begin our doll !

To print your pattern you can highlight the pattern piece and right click on it and then click on print target. You can make it as small or large as you want with a copy machine. My doll head will be approx. 5" from top of the head to beg. of neck.

These are basic instructions for sewing. Sew seams at the front of the head with right sides together.
Sew seams at back of head with right sides together (leave a small opening at the very back to stuff, it will make it easier- you could stuff from the neck if you like just depends on how much effort

you want to put into it :) Sew the front of the head to the back of the head matching seams at top of head.

I will be back tomorrow with the head sewn together and walk you through applying the gesso. I will also post pics of gesso, brushes and watercolor pencils...See  you then,

Dulce.....the doll dreamweaver ! If you have any questions while working on your project dont hesitate to post, I check them often.:)