Cloth Doll Artistry

In this unique and beautiful book, beloved doll-designer Barbara Willis guides readers through various approaches to doll design and basic and advanced construction techniques. Through the creation of three complete step-by-step projects, readers will develop color boards, learn to use vintage images, create both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cloth dolls, learn sophisticated costuming techniques, and gain knowledge of elaborate soft sculpting. A gallery shares the inspirational work of several well-known doll artists who have created their own versions of each project. Complete patterns and templates are included.

In this unique and beautiful book, beloved doll-designer Barbara Willis guides readers through various approaches to doll design and basic and advanced construction techniques. Through the creation of three complete step-by-step projects, readers will develop color boards, learn to use vintage images, create both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cloth dolls, learn sophisticated costuming techniques, and gain knowledge of elaborate soft sculpting. A gallery shares the inspirational work of several well-known doll artists who have created their own versions of each project. Complete patterns and templates are included.

Three leading dolls artists share doll-making techniques, as well as step-by-step instructions to creating beautiful dolls of your own. Patti Culea, elinor peace bailey, and Barbara Willis are three of the leading doll artists and teachers in the country. They are also friends. Each of these artists has her own distinct approach to the design and development of a cloth figure. In this book, each artist’s process will come alive through their choice of fabrics, sketches, simple patterns, and skill-building variations. The book is oriented toward beginning doll makers but offers unique variations and embellishments to please even more experienced doll designers. Two introductory chapters cover basic materials and techniques. Each artist’s chapter includes step-by-step illustrations, instructions, and patterns to make a complete doll, plus variations that create completely new figures. Readers are treated to full color photography and a look inside of each artist’s workspace. A gallery of additional creations by each artist, along with commentary on each work completes the collection. This is a must-have book for any aspiring or experienced doll making.

In this unique and beautiful book, beloved doll-designer Barbara Willis guides readers through various approaches to doll design and basic and advanced construction techniques. Through the creation of three complete step-by-step projects, readers will develop color boards, learn to use vintage images, create both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cloth dolls, learn sophisticated costuming techniques, and gain knowledge of elaborate soft sculpting. A gallery shares the inspirational work of several well-known doll artists who have created their own versions of each project. Complete patterns and templates are included.

Designer Jess Brown is known for her irresistible, starry-eyed rag dolls. In this inspiring book, Brown shares a custom pattern and simple instructions to sew, personalize, and accessorize your own rag doll. Illustrating the story behind these dolls, the book places emphasis on natural materials, vintage fabrics, beautiful notions, and quality craftsmanship. Make the dolls for the children—of all ages—in your life to love now and cherish for decades. After making the doll, follow Brown's patterns for darling accessories such as an apron, overcoat, and knickers.

Introduces new, creative techniques for the fiber journaler, scrapbooker, doll maker, beader, and sewer through fairy-inspired projects. This book is the fifth installment on making creative cloth fiber arts from popular art doll designer, fiber artist, and workshop instructor Patti Culea, following Creative Cloth Doll Making, Creative Cloth Doll Faces, Creative Cloth Doll Couture, and Creative Cloth Beaded Dolls. This book builds on the previous four by delving into how to make fun and elaborate-looking projects using the same old materials in a new and unique way. Readers will learn to make flat figures, fabric books, and a fairy-style fan. Culea covers the basics and provides new techniques–such as using Shiva paint sticks and stencils, working with silk rods and waste, and using lace and trims as a frame–while teaching you to how create a flat figure doll, memory journal with embellished cloth pages, and a beautiful fan. Professional tips, ideas for embellishments, cutting-edge techniques, and complete patterns for all the projects are included.