Branching Out

Recently I’ve become a member of the Needle Knows Doll Club. I have learned so much from these women so far, it’s been great. I’m still working on my angel, she’s a work in progress and she will be finished by our next meeting.
I just made two new purchases which will make me a very happy camper; a new sewing machine a digital camera. So please check my blog often to find out what’s happening at the fortress.

Xenobia is on her way to market.

Getting Serious

One of my closest friends is a gifted storyteller. I wanted to celebrate her so I decided that I would make her a doll. I had in mind a doll that I found in an issue of Soft Dolls and Animals. The doll was perfect, but as things would go the house ate up the book. Now I had to find another doll pattern and I discovered Pattie Culea. I enlarged the pattern, I don’t like working small. When I told my sister I was making Teri-Jo a doll she told me that she wanted on also, so you know I had to make two. I was very pleased with The Storyteller and Xenobia.

Spirit Dolls

These dolls were created to protect their owners. There are no two dolls alike, they are unique just like the people they are to protect.

This is another of my African Ancestor Guardian Angels. I love the idea wrapping fabric around a doll and then stitching it into place. This was and early doll, so I was still working out the problem of finding the right fabric for the body. I was also still working on my faces.

I love her eyes! Did you notice her starfish tattoo?

Meeting Elinor Piece Bailey

While shopping a quilt shop in Brooklyn, now closed, I saw an announcement about a class featuring Elinor Piece Bailey. There were still openings for the class and I had funds, so you know I signed up. We had to select an EPB pattern and my choice was the Mermaid, I had no idea she was soooooooo big!
I had a great time at the class and the mermaid will always be my favorite doll. Elinor helped with my eyes and they are beautiful. She gave me some sound advice concerning my scissors. When she saw my Fiskers, she told me I needed some sexy scissors and turned me on to Ginghers. I purchased a pair right on the spot and have been in love with them ever since. I also walked away with an autographed copy of one of her books, all in all not a bad day.

Entering the World of Little People - Dolls

Doll making came to me by way of having to create a gift for Kwanzaa.
The holiday was rolling around and I needed a gift for my girlfriend’s daughter. Jassy wasn’t a little girl anymore but I wanted her to have something that would remind her of her childhood, so I thought about making her a doll.
While we were stationed at Grand Forks AFB, the NCO Wives decided to made dolls to sell for one of our annual fund raisers. I remember the great fun we had working in assembly line fashion to get the little girls done. The dolls were a hit and we were able to sell them all. I thought that later on I would make on of those dolls for my new niece, never happened; Kenye is now twenty-seven. Dolls just didn’t seem to be my thing back then. Wow, how times have changed.
The doll I made for Jassy was a button doll. I chose that type of doll because it looked different and easy. After completing the doll, I liked the results so much I made one for myself. In spite enjoying the experience of creating the doll I didn’t make another doll for years.
Deb’s birthday was coming up and I was at a loss for what do you give the woman who has everything. Ahhh, a doll. I found a pattern and got to work changing her into an African guardian angel. Much to my delight she loved her. Now, she’s the proud owner of two dolls.
The internet has helped me to find many interpreting patterns. I haven’t reached the point of creating my own patterns, but I’m sure that will happen eventually. Also besides patterns online, I discovered doll clubs and I joined two, Blackclothdollart@yahoo.com and Clothdollmaking@yahoo.com. For most of the time I must admit I had been a lurker at both sites. I was busy making quilts and was still feeling my way with the dolls.

Soror Angelett (center) won the raffle and is presented with the quilt. Oh, did I mention that I donated the quilt. If made on special order, its gonna cost ya, but it would be worth it.

A Soror finds her name and exclaims her surprise. As more sorors gathered, the rafflw tickets started to really fly. It was geat fun watching their faces as the found their names; and I must admit I got a thrill when I added my own name and information to my block... 1983 and Chapter President.