First finish of the year!

Started in May, she is now done! 

For display only, as all the clothes are tied, painted, glued or stitched on. No pattern, just trial and error. 

Hair is tucked up on her head, and the roses are hot glued in place.

Back bow and ties are all glued, also....

Plus some fancy pants for underneath...

Shoes are painted with acrylics, and coated in gloss Mod Podge. "Buttons" are glued on...

Progress pics at http://danaspageofstuff.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/free-doll-done.html

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...

Callista, a free pattern...

This is a free pattern I printed years ago. I had already made the body and started the clothes, but didn't like the way it looked, so it got shelved. I found her again, and decided to finish her up. She can still be found here - dollmakersjourney.com/callista/  This is how she is supposed to look....

And this is my version:

Firstly, I took off the skirt I had made and removed her legs. While they were off, I added the shoes and ribbon laces. These were glued on, since this is not a play doll I didn't see the need to stitch it. :)

Then I painted eyes and mouth, and while I had the paint out, I also added some panties (since you can see right up her skirt). I found the funky yarn I had planned to use for her hair, changed the fabric and the design of the clothes and continued on. Finally, she gets some wings and a hanging loop, and she is done! I did change the design of the wings, using a commercial one rather than make it from the pattern. I just thought it was too big and stiff, and the others were smaller - plus I already had them on hand!

Another finish, and I'm feeling good!! ;)