Rag doll repair...

I don't usually do repairs, as I prefer to make the complete item, however I was given a rag doll today that belonged to my cousin when she was little. She is now having her own baby, and wants me to repair her. The stuffing has gone all hard and there is a big tear at the neck. The face has had some surgery as well as a haircut, but nothing that can't be fixed (I hope!)

I took all the stuffing out and she did some soaking in Napisan to get rid of the general stains - She doesn't look pleased..... ;( The stuffing also went into a pillowcase and through the wash, as I am going to reuse it......

After she came out out if the Napisan, I had a go at fixing her face. It had clearly been torn at some point and and very poorly stitched back together, along with the nose barely holding on. In order to secure the edges, I used a strip of iron on vilene and a bit of topstitching to try and secure it. It's not perfect, but it is better than it was :)

I have also ironed and fixed the dress, trimmed all the loose threads, and it's ready to go.

I had bought some wool, and although the colour is good, it's a little thick (8ply) so I think I'll go back for the 4ply. It's a much tighter twist, too, so hopefully it will blend better. The hair is actually all different lengths - not sure if this is from the factory, or if it was cut at some point? I wonder if it originally was loops, not straight hair?? No way to tell, unfortunately.....

Anyway, I wrapped some lengths of wool around a piece of cardboard and stitched them together to make a strip. Poked it through the gap and restitched. It took a few goes with some tacking before I was happy, but it finally fell into place. Just need to stuff it, now! 

I used the original stuffing in the hands, feet and body, and some new fill in the head. A just need to close the neck and she is done! I have kept her pretty soft and cuddly - not sure how she was originally, cause she was very flat when she came to me....

Anyway, final results :

I will be seeing her in a few weeks for her baby shower, so will give her back to her then. I hope she likes her :)

Free doll... Done!!

UPDATE 3/1/2016

She is done!! 

She is for display only, as the clothes are either glued, tied, painted or stitched on. 

UPDATE 29/12/15

I have been inspired to finish this girl off, since I already had all the stuff on hand. Since her hair and face are already done, just the clothes remain....

I had already chosen this polyester sheer and lining, and found a matching lace in my stash, so what am I waiting for?? 

I started by making a pattern, similar to the off-the-shoulder style, with a raglan sleeve and casing for the gathering ribbon. I decided not to use elastic, as I need to stitch the lace on, and the elastic could deteriorate down the track. All the gathers are done this way. Hopefully it will ensure it will last a long time ;) 

So far, the dress has been on and off a LOT, since I'm kinda winging it... This is a mock-up of how it's going....

Before I finalise the dress, some undergarments are in order. She is the strangest shape, so I had to make some custom pants. It worked first time, so I'm pretty pleased with myself! Now I wonder if I should paint her shoes, or try and make some? I may just paint some, since I didn't make the doll, and I don't have the pattern. Clothes I can do, shoes are a bit out of my area of expertise....

I have now hand stitched the neck lace on, and the hem lace was done before it was completed. All the ties are tight and tucked out of sight, so just need to do the waist sash and sort out her hair and shoes. I pinned up her hair while stitching the lace, and I quite like how it looks ;) Perhaps some flowers in her hair to finish? She's still pinned in places, but it's getting there..... Not sure on the choker, either...

30/5/2015

At Doll Club last weekend, someone was giving away a fabric doll body. Clearly it was started, but got no further than making her body - no face, no hair, no clothes. And definitely a lady doll, with a large bust and tiny waist! 

I think she needs to a bit Victorian, a flowing off the shoulder dress should detract from her pigeon chest.... ;) Something like this :

She now has a face, based on the Godey doll book I have, although she is smaller in size. I scaled down the face, and used paint rather than embroidery. I think her eyes are ok, but her lips are too pale. Will have to put another paint layer on to darken it up...

Kimonos

I have always wanted to do a kimono quilt. So, after scouring the net for inspiration, I realised I already had a pattern I saved years ago.  One has 3 different types of kimono, plus another that is more complicated, and includes a head. As a bonus, I can use up some small scraps as contrast, but I can also use some brights and florals to keep it cheery....

Both patterns are foundation pieced, which should help any stretching issue. Each kimono has 3 pieces, so not too difficult. I will make them all, since they are already printed, so maybe I will make a cushion or bag with the other one? Will have to see what transpires....

I have tested the single coat, and I think has worked pretty well, although I think the hair should go down the side of the head, which will be easy to adjust. Alł fabric is from my scrap basket....

Now to test the other ones...

Not too bad, and quick, too! 

Now, seeing them all together, I think the one with the head wins! I can make them as I feel like it, but I need to reverse the pattern to get the stripe on the correct side....

They will not go to waste, though. I see bags or cushions in their future. ;)

Hexagons

KI have wanted to try the "no Y-seam" hexagons from Moda Bake Shop for ages, but I didn't want to make them so BIG. I made a template, and trimmed up some batiks and some navy, and got to experimenting!

This is the top finished, but with all the bias seams, it isn't so flat when I ironed it. Decided to use my puffy-est wadding, and just put a few stitches in the middle of each hexie, along the lines of a tied quilt. I use a feather type stitch with the feed dogs down so I get a cross effect. I was going to leave the tails, but decided against it as it got lost in the patterns.

This is before I put the ties in...

 Found a zip, and all is done! It measures about 45cmx50cm. 

Dottie and Dimple... done!!

I decided to finish Dimple with the colours I had already picked - but with two ears - and realised it wasn't the fabric that I didn't like, it was his face! It was far too simple compared with Dottie, with just a pair of French knots for eyes and that's pretty much it. 

So, I drew a new face, similar in style to Dotties, with black dot eyes and painted nose. I kept the dimple, as this is why she (he??) is called Dimple. Duh!! He's got a little wonky eye, but still cute. This is him before I stitched him to Dotties arm...

So, with Dimple now attached, here she is!

She is from the magazine below. They don't seem to have dates or editions, but I have a couple of different versions. I quite like the covergirl, too, but she is HUGE! I don't enjoy making big dolls - Dottie is only about 35cm tall...

Now, on to the next thing! Maybe a quilt is in order, for a change of pace, or a cushion? Time to get some books off the shelf, methinks...... ;)