Sunday, December 15, 2013

ELF~ CHIMNEY~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

~ELF~  On The Rooftop
Elf Up on the Rooftop by Bethann Scott ©2013
The stockings are painted and he needs shoes. The online doll class instructions give a different way of making the Chimney, which are very good. But I did my own thing. 

The Chimney still needs the "secret ingredient" Kathryn Walmsley gives us to make the top of the Chimney roof look like cement. This is my first doll wire armature. I decided to go with another style of armature than what the class was instructed to do. There's nothing wrong with the online class armature....it's just sometimes I may change up or do something different.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

SCULPTING ELF HANDS AND LEGS

I finished sculpting the arms and legs. Since these are my first pair, it took awhile.
If I sculpt more often, I will purchase special tools to sculpt the fingernails. The holes are drilled to receive the armature and I started the painting.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

PAINTING THE ELF FACE ~Bethann Scott~ The Stitch Fiddler

                 
Christmas Elf WIP by Bethann Scott ©2013


The next step will be adding the Holly Leafs to his hat.



Sunday, November 10, 2013

FOLK ART SANTA WITH SHEEP PULL TOY

CHRISTMAS HOPE SANTA CLAUS
Father Christmas is wearing a striped woven wool blend fabric in green, red, tan and blue. Rusty jingle bells embellish the front of his coat. He has a red wool scarf around his neck. He holds a "HOPE" garland strand and comes with a sheep pull toy.

FOLK ART SANTA CLAUS WITH SHEEP PULL TOY
Handmade by Bethann Scott  


Thursday, November 7, 2013

AMERICANA FATHER CHRISTMAS ~ TREE~ LANTERN ~ SHEEP

Americana Old World Father Christmas
He's dresssed in a blue wool felt coat with a separate hooded caplet. The coat is open in the front to show the red and white striped cotton robe under his coat.
Americana Father Christmas by Bethann Scott
The Stitch Fiddler

Thursday, October 31, 2013

FATHER CHRISTMAS ~ CREAM COLOR~


FATHER CHRISTMAS By Bethann Scott

Father Christmas is dressed in cream colors.
His coat and hood are made using vintage Cashmere. His gift package is wrapped in linen and I added a white pearl bead sprig. Father Christmas comes with a small basket, package, teddy bear and pearl sprigs.




Thursday, October 24, 2013

PRIMITIVE OLDE THYME SANTA CLAUS AND TREE ~LAMB~ CHRISTMAS



Folk Art Santa Claus Doll by Bethann Scott
Santa Claus or as some say, Father Christmas, comes with a little wooly lamb tucked under his arm. His coat is embellished with rustic bells. The Christmas stockings are made using wool.


Friday, October 18, 2013

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE FINISHED

SHE IS SOLD AND WILL BE TRAVELING TO ITALY





Mother of the Bride by Bethann Scott (Jill Mass Design)


She has a pink rose and baby breath corsage, pearl necklace and earrings and a organza handkerchief. Velvet Handbag and Velvet shoes embellished with sequins and a pink Rondelle Crystal bead. The Mother of the Bride was given a nice size "Church Hat" that is embellished with silk flowers, floral organza, baby pink tulle, and feathers. Her earrings are lavender and white pearls.
She's all ready for that Happy Day.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

ARMS ~LEGS~ AND LACE PANTIES

Jill Mass Doll WIP by Bethann Scott
 She received her arms, legs and a pair of  lace panties. I made them knee length. She has these skinny legs, big tummy and bottom. Next I will be making her nylon stockings and a pink satin blouse. I did have to use the Craft Velour. I tried the doll in cotton and it just doesn't look good. Craft Velour has a fuzzy side and a smooth side, either side of the fabric can be facing out. I decided to have the smooth side facing out.



Thursday, October 3, 2013

FRED AND FROGS ~Bethann Scott~ THE STITCH FIDDLER

FRED AND FROGS ARE SOLD
THEY WILL BE TRAVELING TO ITALY

FRED AND FROGS IN A BOX by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler"
Doll design by Jill Maas

I tried several different trims on the box before deciding on the brown polka dot trim. I embellished all four sides of the box with sequins and glass seed beads. Each one is hand sewn onto the box separately. This took about one hour for each side!


Fred and Frogs by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler"
design by Jill Maas

Fred and Frogs made by Bethann Scott

Monday, August 12, 2013

AFRICAN AMERICAN COUPLE DOLL SET

I've been working on the male doll for the last week. He is wearing a white cotton shirt and brown linen overalls. The straw hat was purchased and not hand made. I haven't learned the art of making straw hats yet. This was a custom order for a lady that purchased the girl doll.
African American Couple Doll by Bethann Scott
 






Saturday, August 10, 2013

MY FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE DOLL~ FOLK ART DOLL~

Folk Art African American boy doll by The Stitch Fiddler ©2013
I've been busy working on my first African American male doll. I'm making him a pair of overalls. He has on the toile muslin of the overalls to check the fit. I need to make a couple of adjustments and then on to the sew his overalls.  He will have a cotton or linen shirt and possible hat. I'm not sure what color to make the overalls yet. He may look good in a lighter color...not sure.


Thursday, July 18, 2013

PIXIE ART DOLL WITH SCARLET TANAGER

Pixie Fairy Art Doll by Bethann Scott
This is my design which has taken several weeks to accomplish. Her bodice and skirt are made using wool which are both lined. The brown jacket and pantalets are made using wool. She has little green slippers and a green pixie hat.




Thursday, July 11, 2013

DESIGNING IS HARD WORK

I've been working on a new doll for weeks now. Designing is hard work. I wanted to make a seated doll that could sit alone without help. Not satisfied with the body yet, but with practice comes perfection.The torsos and arms are piling up and I've been experimenting with different fabrics. Not all cottons react the same either!
Cloth Doll Body WIPs by Bethann Scott  ©2013

Cloth Doll Body WIP by Bethann Scott ©2013  

Since I was in the experimenting mood, I tried something new with the painting process. I painted the entire body a flesh color using textile paint and Liquitex Fabric Medium. I don't paint the cloth fabric unless it is for gloves or shoes. But this time I painted the entire body and head with a flesh base color. I had no idea how the color pencils would take on the face. I barely touched the doll and there was color! I think it was a little harder to control.





Saturday, June 15, 2013

SHEPHERDESS DOLL WITH LAMB ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

This doll is going to AUSTRALIA
SHEPHERDESS AND LAMB ART DOLL By Bethann Scott

Doll socks and shoes by Bethann Scott ©2013

"Shepherdess" by Bethann Scott ©2013




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Shepherdess Holding Lamb Work In Progress



 I wanted to make a shepherdess but I just couldn't find a lamb pattern that was three dimensional unless I purchased a needle felting kit/pattern. Needle felting takes way too long and I want to sew, not needle felt. I searched quite some time thinking I would easily find a pattern. But most of the patterns I saw were for primitive style sheep and I wanted a  more realistic looking lamb. So I created my own starting with a few sketches. I thought I would have to do the prototype several times....but to my amazement ...this was the first one! Not perfect...but I like it. I couldn't attach the doll's arms until I had the lamb finished.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

THE GYPSY PEDDLER ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

"The Gypsy Peddler" by Bethann Scott ©2013
THE STITCH FIDDLER

  I finished my Gypsy doll today with the final touches of adding the jewelry, giving her a basket full of textiles and then mounting her to her stand. I think I changed her head scarf wrap several times and played around with different fabrics and colors until I finally settled with a Crown Wrap.
 "The Gypsy Peddler"  by Bethann Scott ©2013
THE STITCH FIDDLER

Thursday, May 9, 2013

ELF BOY PROGRESS


I've been so busy with my other projects that this little elf boy got pushed aside. Well he's coming along. I made him a pair of britches using green velour, a cotton shirt, a black leather vest, leather hat and red Tibetan lamb's wool hair.


Elf Art Doll by Bethann Scott

Friday, May 3, 2013

PRACTICE PENCIL SKETCHES ~LEARNING AN ASIAN FACE~ THE STITCH FIDDLER ~ Bethann Scott


I'm taking another class. I've never made an Asian doll and this class will go over how to capture Asian features. During the class we will do a little drawing/sketching. I don't sketch much, but I thought I would give it a try. The first lesson was to do some sketches. Here are my practice sketches....please remember I Don't Sketch very often.

I did two practice sketches

This sketch seems to be a combination of African/Asian...
Asian Doll Sketch by Bethann Scott ©2013

This sketch captures a little more Asian...
(these were just quick practice sketches)
Asian Doll Sketch by Bethann Scott ©2013

Thursday, May 2, 2013

ABUNDANCE DOLL AND RAVEN FINISHED



I finished the doll last night and I'm quite pleased how she and her companion Raven turned out.

Art Doll Abundance with her Raven
by thestitchfiddler, design by Angela Jarecki





DOLL WIP~ CRAZY QUILT COAT~


I've been busy making the crazy quilt coat. I was wondering how it would be accomplished. It's not done in the so called traditional way. I was going to do some free motion embroidery but after trying a few practice pieces, I decided to play it safe and try some of the decorative stitches my new sewing machine had to offer...

The coat is lined and ready to embellish...
Crazy Quilt Style Doll Coat by Bethann Scott ~The Stitch Fiddler~ ©2013

I used a wool houndstooth fabric for the lining....

  embellishing the coat...

 The coat is almost finished. The coats are quite a time consuming task.



Friday, April 26, 2013

ADDING COLOR ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

 Today I added color to her face.  This is my first doll with "teeth".
Cloth Doll Head WIP by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2013

 I wasn't satisfied with the first body I made. It was shorter than the original pattern. Here is what the body is suppose to look like.
Cloth Doll Stump Body by Bethann Scott



Saturday, April 20, 2013

ELUSIVE BUTTERFLY DOLL ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

 "Elusive Butterfly"Cloth doll I made during an online doll class. I really enjoyed the class and learned how to make sunflowers and a butterfly net too!

I chose a beautiful greenish blue rayon fabric for the sleeves and bodice and found some lovely fringe style trim to embellish the sleeves. Her skirt is made using 100% silk in a gorgeous blue.
I loved how she looked even from the back view.

THE DOLL HAS BEEN DONATED
Elusive Butterfly Doll by Bethann Scott
Designer: Cindee Moyer


Cloth Doll Made by Bethann Scott ©2013
Design by Cindee Moyer


Cloth Doll made Bethann Scott ©2013
Design by Cindee Moyer

Made by Bethann Scott ©2013 Design by Cindee Moyer


Monday, April 8, 2013

ELF BOY DOLL ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler



Elf Boy Doll by Bethann Scott ©2013

I'm making some progress on this little Elf.  I added his head, ears and arms to the body. He stands 12 1/2" high at the ears. A smaller doll than I am use to. I wasn't able to articulate his tiny little fingers because it was too difficult turning them with this type of fabric. I followed Mimi's fabulous instructions but just couldn't accomplish it....sigh.... so I did the next best thing which was a sculpted hand. The micro suede fabric is much more fragile than muslin or cotton.
 I had to be very careful when stuffing the fabric as not to poke a hole...it is not a forgiving fabric. I've never painted on this type of fabric so I did a practice head and I love the painting effects that this fabric yields...very different. Maybe the next elf will be done in muslin to see the difference.



Elf Boy WIP by Bethann Scott

The next step is making him a wig and sewing his clothing. He will have pants, shirt, vest, hat and elf shoes. He will be toting a bag on the end of his stick. Hope it will hold or I will have to make an armature stick.Mimi Winer did an exceptional job with her detailed instructions and plenty of pictures too!


Sunday, March 31, 2013

HAPPY EASTER

 
WISHING ALL OF YOU A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY EASTER TODAY!
 


Saturday, March 30, 2013

AFRICAN AMERICAN DOLL IS FINISHED

 Her brown fuzzy lambs wool hair was needle felted into pigtails. She's quite a happy little girl and is finally done. I love her dress fabric. It is a lovely cotton fabric with green, brown and teal colors. The print is beautiful flowers and butterflies. Under the dress she has on white cotton underpants.

African American Folk Art Doll by Bethann Scott
thestitchfiddler






Wednesday, March 20, 2013

WOOL BUNNY RABBIT DOLL ~WOOL EGGS~


Wool Rabbit Doll by Bethann Scott
Easter is just around the corner and I thought I would sew another rabbit doll. The rabbit is made with a wool blend fabric.I wanted to make some eggs so I thought I would try needle felting. I used sheep's wool for the egg base (instead of wool batting or roving). Then I needle felted wool crewel yarn to the egg. It took forever! No wonder the prices for needle felted art are so high. I don't think this type of art is for me unless it is very small. That's why the next two eggs were sewn with wool. I just didn't want to take the time to needle felt two more eggs.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

SWEET LITTLE BUNNY RABBIT




Bunny Rabbit Doll by Bethann Scott
thestitchfiddler
The rabbit is button jointed so he can sit with legs up or down. This is the first time I used wool for a rabbit body and I love it. It looks so good!


Sunday, February 24, 2013

WOODLAND FAIRY FINISHED!


                                    

A word of Thanks for the name suggestions. I did use one suggestion in this Fairy's name which was "Rhiannon" and I added the Shaylee. I may use some of the other names given for future dolls so don't despair. After several coats of lacquer, I have finished the Fairy Wings. The wings are not exactly the same on each side, but that's okay. I hand wired them without using a pattern. I used "Enchanted Forest" fantasy film and craft wire to make the wings.
She's holding a little rusty lantern.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

RED HAIR WITCH WIP


Here's a sneak peek of the doll I'm working on now. Love the red hair.


Thursday, February 14, 2013

SNEAK PEEK ~ WOODLAND FAIRY? ~ ADDING EMBELLISHMENTS

I'm making rosettes for her dress. I'm using a soft netting fabric (somewhat like tulle) and added a gold sequin and a tiny bead to the center. The gold rick rack and rosettes pinned in place to see if it's to my liking. I also have her arms pinned in place until I decide the position. Once sewn in place that's it....no changing. I almost like her the way she is before wings....but I was thinking more on the lines of a Woodland Fairy. 
Woodland Fairy by Bethann Scott ©2013

Beads, sequins, rosettes,  ©2013 Bethann Scott