Alright everyone ... for all those that started in with their miniature doll already ---- YEAH!!! Major kudos to you. For those that need a bit more hand holding ... I just put up the new August Lady doll class (no kits or bodies) - BUT the online class comes with a full color tutorial pdf (which can stand alone without even going to class).
Solita can be seen in my photo section for an idea of what we will be learning. Primarily, lace draping, lace piecing (or getting really cool OLD lace that is a TAD bit to big and wondering how to cut it appropriately for miniature dolls), and best of all ... 15 steps to working with fabric stiffner to hold your dress shape! $10 includes the color pdf, pattern, and online class.
Best of all .... you get a bit of hand holding in class, friendship with other dolliers of various creating levels ... and a finished dolly by the time you're done!
Look forward to hearing from you ... and HAPPY CREATING!
Greetings and Good evening! If you've been following the progression of blog entries from the beginning ... you are all set to create that miniature doll ... and perhaps only need the DRIVE to just get started!
I don't know about you - but for me personally ... DEADLINES are a great thing! Nothing would get done ... if I had all the time in the world . So for those needing a reason to start creating ... here are a few contests events on the minidollLIST....
SAME MATERIAL CONTEST .... this is a fun contest involving purchasing a piece of raw silk material, and then making any doll or mannequin you wish out of it! Deadline for photo entry isn't until Nov lst! PLENTY of time for the muse to figure out her doll!
August 10th ... Worker man strut! Simply take any man doll, doing a chore, trade etc and send the photo to the list on Sunday. Random prizes will be sent out simply for doing an email!
August 17th ... our GOTHIC STRUT will debut. Same rules as above, but have a gothic theme (i.e. Witch, new age, contemporary, Japanese, vampire etc).
For detailed info on these events ... simply click to the www.minidollLIST.com website..... and HAPPY CREATING!
Greetings dolliers! If you have been following our blogs from the beginning ... you should have the doll, the materials, supplies, tutorials and visual photos to begin making your doll - on any budget! Lets say, however, that you want a more *original pattern* ... where on earth would you think to look?
Tonight I want to talk about all those wonderful *HIDDEN* patterns ... found RIGHT before your eyes! Ever see the historical fashion plates - and patterns found in library books? Most give a scale. Why not simply zoom in or out and print the pattern to fit your 1:12 scale doll?
Have an old Delineator or fashion magazine? They too have patterns that you can adjust and use.
What about Barbie doll patterns? Again - just reduce the size and wala! How about full size lady patterns (which give a diagram on outside of package) ... again ... adjust size on copier and wala! Just make sure to size your pattern on paper towel first to adjust fit as necessary.
Lastly ... why use a pattern at all? I make 90% of all my doll clothes from a rectangle or square and *squish*. REALLY! Skirts, pants, sleeves, tops, coats etc. Take any historical photo, and train your eye to *see* the shapes and then simply copy them in material. Priska of Regalia miniatures (one of our early moderators and now creator of those fabulous $1000 miniature dolls) does this on many of her creations! Draping is the key to everything!
Now of course - you either can *see* shapes or not. No worries if you can't! There are many fantastic pattern makers out there! Kathy Mendenhall (on our list) is a great one to look up! You could also purchase the 50+ pattern CD for the archive section on the list for $7.50 (www.minidollLIST.com). The point is - there are many different avenues to go, simply point your dollmaking muse in one direction and let her steer a course for a grand adventure!
Happy Creating!
DANA
