BUTTONS, BUTTONS, WHERE DID I GET ALL THESE BUTTONS?

Where in the world did I get ALL these Buttons? I had no clue I had soooo many buttons. I have been stashing buttons away for years.

I pick up a jar of buttons here and there at estate sales, yard sales or thrift shops. Many times those who know I sew give me there stash.

I had to use my computer desk to even sort some more. I was looking for the vintage shell buttons when the idea to sort all these buttons came to mind. Wow! what a job. I'm still not done but it's a good start. I had to start color coding.

Hopefully the next time I need a particular button, this will simplify matters. I sorted for hours and still didn't finish the job. I still have more jars...

My Izannah Walker Inspired Doll is finished!

       SOLD!

Izannah Walker Inspired Doll

My Izannah Walker Inspired Doll is completed.

My Newest Izzy Almost Done!

My Newest Izannah Walker style Doll is almost done! Today I finished sewing her dress. The cartridge pleating was quite interesting. This is my first time trying the pleating. Paula Walton shared a wonderful video about this type of pleating and it helped me along my way. I chose a lovely cotton with tiny pink roses.

Izannah Walker Style Doll

Yesterday Izzy chose the lace she favored...white crocheted lace that is vintage and all hand done. I had to carefully remove it from a tattered and torn piece of linen. I purchased it with holes, tears, and stains just to get a hold of the gorgeous lace that was attached to the hem edge. I am sooo glad these raggedy vintage linens can be repurposed. I never jeopardize or destroy any type of vintage or antique linens to make my doll clothing. I use linens that are beyond repair.

I took several photographs while hand sewing the dress for Izzy. To the right is a photo of me sewing the pleated skirt to the bodice. There are a couple of changes I will make the next time I do the pleating. For one, I found that the dress skirt was not as full as I would like it to have been. I used the suggestion of 3x the waist/bodice measurement, but there wasn't enought fullness. Must be due to Izzy's tiny waist!

I also added a false hem to the underside of her dress. I used a beautiful double pink cotton with tiny flowers. I just love the color.

LACE LACE SURROUNDED BY LACE

My sewing room is in disarray at the moment while I decide what lace trim to add to Izzy's petticoat.

VINTAGE LACE

Last night I finished sewing her "hand sewn" pantaloons. There are made from the same white linen as her chemise and I added four pintucks. I also finished her white linen petticoat with a single button closure all hand sewn. Now we are trying to decide on which lace to trim the petticoat with. I have been gathering up Vintage Lace here and there whenever I can find it. I have quite a bit that is hand crocheted.  Some of the lace is done by tatting...very tiny. I think we are going to go with the white crocheted lace.

HAND SEWN LINEN CHEMISE FOR IZZY

Today I finished my first ever all Hand Sewn garment. The garment I chose to do first is an chemise. Every inch is completely hand sewn and let me tell you it took quite some time. I've been to the local library to research how they look, how they were sewn and with what type of fabric. From all the information I gathered, this is what I came up with for my new Izannah Walker style doll. I sewed in the arm gussets and the skirt gores for an authentic look. All the interior seams are flat felled and yes by hand! Whewww!

Izannah Walker Style Doll

I was sooo inspired by all the books I checked out and now have the hand sewing bug. I still have quite a bit of work to accomplish. She needs her shoes painted on, pantaloons, petticoat, and then I am working on a new dress that will have cartridge pleating. WOW! After hand stitching this one small garment, I surely applaud all those wonderful ladies from years gone by who diligently sewed all their clothing.

Sculpt Change and Painting

Izzy had a little sculpt change. I needed to make adjustments to her head, forehead, cheeks, etc. I take several pictures during the sculpting process and upload to my computer. It's amazing what the camera "sees" that I don't see while sculpting. This enables me to get a better view of her from all sides.  I added her ears yesterday and began the painting today. The sculpt took about a week . I want to make sure it is completely dried before the painting begins. I hope to have the painting finished in a couple of days. Now on to sip some coffee while I sew her arms and legs....

Another Izzy Doll In Progress

                   

                 

Another Izzy Doll in Progress. I tried to make her head a little more rounded. Not sure if the forehead is how I want it yet. Still need to add the ears and detail of course. Just playing around with the sculpt until I "SEE" it right....I guess that would be my "right". That's what I love about handmade and folk art. Folk Art is how the artist see's it (the doll) and how the artist wants to make it...of course we all hope for a good sculpt! The thing is that these dolls are hand sculpted with no molds used and that's what makes each handmade doll one of a kind....Folk Art. I'm not sure if I will add the Cloth over the clay with this doll. I want to try it soon, but maybe the next Izzy.

BLACK AMERICANA FOLK ART DOLL BENITA

Mammy Doll

Today I finished my second Black Americana Mammy Doll and named her Benita. I love her fresh look and the colors I chose for her clothing. I was sorting through some of my fabric and came across this wonderful Pennsylvania Dutch style material. It's decorated with tulips, hearts and tiny flowers in a circular pattern. I used it for her apron. Then to my surpirse...I found this lovely red check handkerchief/doily and it became her shawl.
It's such a delight to find little things that have been tucked away and somewhat forgotten. I love vintage and antique linens.

You can find Benita in my Etsy Shop just click on link
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thestitchfiddler?...

BLACK AMERICANA MAMMY DOLL

SOLD!

AMERICANA MAMMY DOLL

Meet Danika, she is handmade using Muslin that is painted, sanded, painted again, stained and of course sealed! Much work goes into making these dolls to get just the right look. She has on a Colonial reproduction style print dress in a stunning Mustard color with tiny red flowers. Under her dress she has on a petticoat and pantaletts. Her boots are painted on using a warm pinecone acrylic color. She comes with her little basket (not the doily) and is listed on ebay for 5 days.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/thestitchfiddler/m.html

PRIMITIVE MAMMY DOLL BLACK FOLK ART

Prim Mammy Doll

 For several days now, I have been working on a couple of Prim Mammy Dolls. This gal is wearing a beautiful mustard color dress with tiny red flowers....the picture doesn't do her justice. It seems the best pictures are taken with natural lighting. So maybe tomorrow I will take better pictures before puting her on ebay. I hope to list her after 1:00pm.

OSCAR THE RABBIT IS DONE!

Well finally here he is! I named him Oscar... and he comes with a hat, watering can, and a Veggie Pillow for those little naps in the garden.
He is in my Etsy Shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/thestitchfiddler?...

It's Orange Polka Dots!

After giving this guy a day of rest and reading all the wonderful comments, I chose the orange polka dots! I sewed him another shirt using the Orange Polka Dot fabric. I also made him a hat and hope to be done soon.

  Half the electric went out in the house, tried the circuit breakers but they didn't come back on. Had to take a shower by candle light! There must be a short in the system somewhere. I will have to deal with that problem tomorrow.

I Changed My Mind

You ever have one of those days where nothing looks right?

 Well, that's whats happening here. I just can't make up my mind. I thought the orange polk-a-dots looked good. Well, I've slept since then and when I took another look I just didn't like the pocket so I removed it and through it in the trash!
Next, I made him shirt but I can't decide if it goes with these overalls or not. Maybe a polk-a-dot shirt? or maybe different overalls?
Since I changed my mind he will have to sit a little longer until I figure out what he's going to wear (I know just how he feels)....
Maybe a hat, a carrot or two....who knows...I'll take another look tomorrow and see how things look.

SPRING FOLK ART BUNNY RABBIT DOLL

HAPPY SPRING!

To celebrate Spring, even though it snowed today, I thought I would make a couple more Bunny Rabbit Dolls before I start my next project. This time I decided to make a "Girl" bunny. She has Rusty Wire Whiskers. This is the first time I tried using wire for whiskers and I like it. She is holding a basket with three wooden eggs decorated with crackle paint. The basket is trimmed with ribbon, rick rack, and a rusty heart! She is up for sale in my Etsy Shop....

MY NEWEST IZANNAH WALKER STYLE DOLL WITH RED BONNET!

                                SOLD!

Izannah Walker Inspired Doll

Well here she is. It's been a tough journey the last two days. I thought I would have her done and ready yesterday....but there were some difficulties to overcome. I've been working on this bonnet which is my first fashion bonnet. I've made a sunbonnet before but this is completely different. I had no pattern and didn't no where to find one....so I knew I had to start from scratch. It may be just a smidge to big....but I think she's all set for Easter Sunday!

 Whew.....I'm glad to be finished.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/thestitchfiddler/m.html

Izannah Walker "Sneak Peak" Before Finishing

Here's a Sneak Peak of my newest Izzy before I hem the sleeves and dress. I am debating whether to do a matching red cuff on the sleeves...decisions, decisions. I may also make her a bonnet. I've been wanting to sew a bonnet for quite some time. I would love to make a slat bonnet, but this gal will probabaly have a sunbonnet. Hope to be done tonight and list her on Ebay for 5 days. So be sure to check back and see what's in store for this little sweetie.

Giving Izzy Her Face and Ringlets

Today was a busy day giving Izzy her face and ringlets. It's amazing what a little color can do. I start by drawing her facial features, her hairline and ringlets using a pencil and a light touch. If I don't like what I see, I can use this special eraser and start again. I think it's best not to smear the pencil or you will have a big mess.

 

After penciling in the features and hair, I go over using a waterproof pen. This is just my technique. I don't know what others do, because I have never taken a course...but this is what I do and it works for me. If I learn a better way in the future....then I may try it.

While the pen is drying, I start on the face. The pen will bleed if you don't allow it to dry properly. After allowing to dry, I begin the painting process. There are several light coats of paint to get the right shade.

I keep adding color until I am satisfied. I think she will need some more highlights to the ringlets. I will set her aside and see what I may want to adjust the next day.

 

I hope to be done in a few days. I am sewing the arms and legs. Hope to get alot done tomorrow.

Remembering My Dad on His Birthday

Wishing you a Happy Birthday Dad! Today my Dad would have been 82 years old. He would have loved the sunshine and the warm breeze we had today in Ohio. Knowing my Dad, he  probably would have taken his favorite fishing rod and off to the lake to catch some fish. He loved to go fishing and I spent many enjoyable hours with my dad as a young girl fishing and learning how to bait my own hook.

 He was laid to rest almost four years ago and his tomb stone is one of many in the Military section of Oakwood Cemetary in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The grounds are beautiful.