Doll Problems

Making dolls entails a lot no matter what kind of doll you are making, and some are much more trouble than others. Here are three dolls I am trying to finish, but each of these dolls has had a serious problem of one kind or another. I don't think experience saves you from making these mistakes, because I certainly know what to do, so why am I always plagued by crazy things like the right side of the heads always are fuller than the left side, or the shoulders are almost always uneven, or the right eye is always fuller and turned slightly outward than the left one. Sometimes these things don't present a big problem, but I believe it is the way my eyes are focusing on the unpainted white heads. It is hard to see, if you have one side a little fuller than the other, however,  even on a cloth molded head, you can make slight corrections. The third doll here is the worst problem. You would think I could tell she had almost no chin. HaHa.  Poor thing, this will cause me to let her dry, sand her down to within a inch of her life, and add a chin, then put on a new stockinet, and begin the painting over again. All this occurs even if you have a whole cloth head right in front of you. They do come out wonky, but making a few corrections should suffice. There is only one solution to all this, and that is to just be patient and go back and fix things, but this cost a lot of time. The trials of the doll maker are many, and not being able to see mistakes closer up front doesn't help. As for these three, I am whipping them into shape, and I believe getting them close to what I need. On Izannah's molded heads, I can see why she could not fix the problems, and if they are not to severe, I try not to fix them either, but a doll has to have a chin. thanks for letting me vent my doll troubles and here is hoping you are sailing along in your

hobbies what ever they may be and having fun. I still will have fun putting a chin on my poor girl.

Two dolls in stage two of painting.

These Izannah dolls are being made for friends. I have already painted the first coat of basic features and let dry. I then went back and distressed these dolls and then painted them with antiquing liquid, and then wiped off. At this point you can do two things, first is to immediately re-paint on top of your antiquing stain, or you can wait and let dry and come back later, but I have found it is better to go ahead and paint on top of the stain, that way, you can make corrections right then and get a better idea of how your doll will look in the end. Now, you ask, well,  is this the end. No. There is still a lot to be done, inspite that I have said this method is 3 stages. I have yet to paint the dolls for the third time, then there will be the Tweek out. Tweeking just means you are putting finishing touches to your doll. There are tiny details to adjust, and the smallest changes will make a difference to how this doll will look for her life. They are starting to bloom out for us and soon we will have two new little people to dress up. I think this part of the doll making is my favorite. The second doll in this post is rough in appearance, but this will change, both will be smoother with additional paint I will put on, so bare in mind these are in progress and not a finished doll.

Pin Keeps

Pin Keeps are totally useful and pretty ways to hold your sewing pins and needles. I have seen so many fine ones, and ones with animals and dolls and fruit, and well, there are countless ways to make them. I have made a pin keep doll for my friend Barbara. It is a shame it has taken so long to finish it, but at last, here she is. I like dolls for pin keeps because they are not just still objects, they have personality's and sewing with them in the room is such a pleasure. They serve you well and are pretty to look at. I hope this pin keep dolly will be a trusted and faithful holder for Barbara's sewing things, and that she will enjoy just having her around.