Art Dolls & Figures

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"

When choosing fabric for your cloth doll, you may have some limits. If the doll may need to be washed in the future, you’ll want to use washable materials and preshrink them if necessary. But what if your doll doesn’t have to be washable? Well, the first rule of cloth doll making is: BREAK THE … Continue reading "How to Choose Fabric for Your Cloth Doll"

Not sure how to choose the right cloth doll stuffing? Here’s the punch line: Buy the best doll stuffing (ex: fiberfill, polyfill, batting, cotton wool) that you can afford. The cheap stuff may look the same in the bag. It may even feel the same if you squeeze it. You may think, “I’ll bet this … Continue reading "Cloth Dolls – How to Choose the Best Doll Stuffing"

Should you preshrink fabrics (or even prewash them) before making a cloth doll? Yes… and no.  It depends upon what’s important to you. It also depends upon whether the doll is for display, as art, or if you (or someone else) will play with the doll. Why not to prewash or preshrink fabrics Fabrics, especially … Continue reading "Cloth Dolls – Should You Preshrink Fabrics?"

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"

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"

Q. If someone is new to dollmaking, what’s your best advice? Go for it. Don’t worry about how it is done by others. Experiment first, create your style, then read what others have to advise. Some of the best things I have done I have done not knowing the correct way. I feel there is … Continue reading "Alice C. W. Dennis – doll artist interview – part 3 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"

Alice C. W. Dennis makes art dolls with wonderful facial expressions.  In this interview on three pages, she shares her insights, inspirations, resources, and recommendations for new dollmakers. dolls by alice c. w. dennis (c)2005 The interview starts here… Q. How do you describe your dolls? I sometimes have difficulty with this. My “creations” are … Continue reading "Alice C. W. Dennis – Doll Artist interview – part 1 of 3"

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"

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"

Many years ago, I taught at Artfest.  It was a golden era, and for many years, I had a wonderful time. At one Artfest, organizer Teesha Moore gave us simple cloth dolls.  I think her grandmother had assembled them. When I received mine, I promptly embellished her.  Here’s the result. (I apologize for the size … Continue reading "A 2001 Artfest Doll"