A Christmas Angel

It was nice to make an Angel for Christmas using a purchased pattern. I bought the pattern a few years ago from Arley Berryhill, entitled "Hark, the Angel" and set it aside. As I was organizing my studio I found her tucked away in a Christmas binder. So glad I found the pattern and took the time to make her. 

I used cotton for the body and did a cloth overlay before adding color to the face. First time making a doll with closed eyes. I enjoyed selecting the fabrics from satin, chiffon,  and silk in golds and red.
 

Dupioni silk was chosen for her wings. The wing pattern is nicely quilted.

Though there was no bloomer pattern, I made her a pair. Somewhat a shame they won't be seen.

 She wears a red glitter satin turban that is embellished with fancy trims.

All dressed and ready to play the brass French Horn for the great announcement.

PUMPKIN MAN ART DOLL WIP

With summer coming to an end I'm back in the Stitch Fiddler Studio working on a Pumpkin Man. The summer months are filled with gardening, planting, cycling and just enjoying nature.

                                        

 I made a wire armature, covered with yarn and started adding bits of batting to build up his body. I would say that most of the time goes into building up the doll's body. 

                                                                               The Fun is adding the color and bringing the art doll to life.                                                               

Pumpkin Man Art Doll WIP by Bethann Scott

Pumpkin Textile Figure WIP by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler"

La Befana Cloth Doll WIP

I'm in the middle of two cloth doll projects. At the moment I'm laying one aside so I can finish the La Befana Doll first.  After all, she is the Italian Christmas Gift Giver and needs to be done before Epiphany Eve. 

La Befana doll in progress by Bethann Scott  The Stitch Fiddler ©2017

The Stitch Fiddler ~African Doll WIP~ by Bethann Scott

More progress. I'm experimenting with headwraps for this doll. I love the look of the Nigerian Gele headwraps. Everything is pinned in place until I make my final decisions on her costume.

African Doll WIP by Bethann Scott thestitchfiddler ©2016

VICTORIAN DOLL WIP

Slowly but surely work is being accomplished. I needed to make a few more mock-ups to arrive at the proper bodice. I wanted princess seams and a square neckline. I used dupioni silk.

Victorian Silk Bodice by Bethann Scott The Stitch Fiddler ©2015

 I chose tiny white pearls, rose colored seed beads and matching sulky thread to bead the trim.

 I did the same with her silk skirt. She also received a pair of stockings and satin split drawers.

Doll Gown by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2015

Doll Clothing Split Drawers and Stockings by Bethann Scott ©2015

   

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Making My First Izannah Walker Style Doll ~The Stitch Fiddler~ Bethann Scott

Izannah Walker Doll WIP by Bethann Scott ©2011 "The Stitch Fiddler"

It seems like there is an "Izannah Walker" doll craze out there! and I too became infactuated by this wonderful doll. I have been designing my own Izannah Walker doll pattern after several months of studying the antique dolls. I have drawn pictures and diagrams and finally decided to OPEN up my first package of Creative Paperclay and give it a try.