Art Dolls & Figures

Art dolls are any figures that look like dolls (not just human-looking dolls) and are… well… art.

Here are some of my articles about making them, starting with the newest.

A cloth doll pointing to the words "Free Cloth Doll Patterns are Back!"

Free Cloth Doll Patterns Are Back!

Yes, THIS is the article that Facebook won’t let me (or anyone else) link to. Updating this website, I stumbled upon these doll patterns, and decided to make them available again. All of these patterns are free to print and use. But… these are OLD patterns from ~15 or more years ago, designed to print … Continue reading "Free Cloth Doll Patterns Are Back!"

How to Make Sock Dolls, step by step - Aisling D'Art

How to Make Sock Dolls – Step-by-Step

Last year, I began making sock dolls. I was inspired by the book Stray Sock Sewing. Here’s how I made my sock dolls for the Wild Art Dolls swap in July 2010. Sock Doll Supplies You will need one sock, some batting or stuffing, Fray-Check, and your basic sewing supplies. (Needle, thread, scissors, and a … Continue reading "How to Make Sock Dolls – Step-by-Step"

JJ Buch interview 2005 part two

JJ Buch – 2005 Paper Doll Artist interview – Part 2 of 2

Q. Did you play with paper dolls as a kid? Do you have a favorite vintage paper doll that still makes you smile? A. Yes, yes… the Ginghams little girls from the 70s, and Betsy McCalls from my Grandmother’s magazines. I made a paperdoll of my Grandmother in her honor, it is called “Amazing Grace”. … Continue reading "JJ Buch – 2005 Paper Doll Artist interview – Part 2 of 2"

2005 interview with paper doll artist JJ Buch

JJ Buch – Paper Doll Artist interview – part 1 of 2

In January 2005, I had the great good fortune to interview paper doll artist JJ Buch. She’s one of my idols, because her art has a very clear “voice” and her concepts are consistently innovative and often delightfully witty. Here’s the interview*, on two pages: Q. How did you get started with paper dolls? A. … Continue reading "JJ Buch – Paper Doll Artist interview – part 1 of 2"

Alice C. W. Dennis doll artist interview

Alice C. W. Dennis – doll artist interview – part 2 of 3

Q.  What’s your greatest influence today?  Do you get your ideas from other dolls, other art, or something else altogether? I read Soft Dolls & Animals, Art Doll Quarterly, and I belong to several internet doll lists. I love all of these, but things and people influence me the most. Things?  Well, here’s an example:  … Continue reading "Alice C. W. Dennis – doll artist interview – part 2 of 3"

History of Paper Dolls - part 2 of 2

History of Paper Dolls – Part 2 of 2

Note: This is the second part of a two-part article tracing the history of paper dolls.  See The History of Paper Dolls, part one to read the first part. 20th century paper dolls – A brief history In the 20th century, other magazines followed this trend, including Ladies’ Home Journal  (Sheila Young’s “Lettie Lane”), Pictorial … Continue reading "History of Paper Dolls – Part 2 of 2"

History of Paper Dolls – Part 1 of 2

Today’s paper dolls evolved from ceremonial and performance figures, and dressmakers’ fashion dolls. General history Paper was invented in China around 105 C.E. by Ts’ai-Lin, a courtier from Lei-yang. Although the word ‘paper’ is derived from ‘papyrus’, this early paper was not a papyrus product. With paper’s development in nearby China, it should be no … Continue reading "History of Paper Dolls – Part 1 of 2"

 

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