OLD WORLD FATHER CHRISTMAS WITH SHEEP

Old World Father Christmas with Sheep by Bethann Scott 2014

I made two sheep that have curly lamb boucle wool coats. Tucked in his arm his a little lamb. The coat is made using a woven boucle wool and trimmed with cashmere.

FOLK ART FATHER CHRISTMAS ~Bethann Scott~ The Stitch Fiddler

Old World Father Christmas by Bethann Scott

It's that time of year, a time to sew Santa Claus Dolls for the Christmas Holiday Season. I find that making these dolls brings a cheerful spirit. His wool coat and hood are made using wool in an evergreen color. He holds a jointed teddy bear, a twig wreath, a rustic lantern and a fabric wrapped package.
I will be making about 6 of these dolls and then I want to sew an angel or two.

FALCONRY MEDIEVAL WITCH WITH CROW~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

All the hard work is complete.

  I made her a black leather hat that is unlined for a little relaxed fit around her head. The leather is not an easy task to secure/sew to her head. The Black Crow is perched on her right hand.

MEDIEVAL WITCH WITH CROW  BY BETHANN SCOTT ©2014

Split Doll Drawers by Bethann Scott The Stitch Fiddler

 I made her leather lace up boots.  Since her dress is very form fitting, I needed to sew her a pair of drawers that had a drop waist so there wouldn't be such bulk showing under her satin gown. Her split drawers are made using black satin, french seams and embellished with black lace.

Leather Doll Boots by Bethann Scott ©2014

 

FOLK ART AFRICAN AMERICAN DOLL

 She's wearing a red cotton dress with tiny yellow flowers, cotton bloomers, petticoat with eyelet lace, and a white cotton apron. I've had a few requests for these dolls. This may be the last one I make for awhile. I plan on making other African American Dolls but in my newer doll style.

African American Doll by Bethann Scott ©2014

RENAISSANCE WITCH ~ Bethann Scott ~ The Stitch Fiddler

SHE'S FINISHED!

Renaissance Witch by Bethann Scott

 My journey began with a thought of a Renaissance Witch. Now that all the design work is done, the next one should be easier! 

  The bustier vest has stays in order to keep it's form...I found this out by trial and error. These are the little stages that take so long when sewing a new outfit for one of my dolls. 

Whew! Finally done! 

She is wearing a three panel silk skirt, a bustier vest made using black satin, a cotton chemise and bloomers, leather lace-up boots and a black leather hat. I think the hardest thing to accomplish were the boots. The boots aren't perfect but hopefully the next ones will be. 

LACE UP LEATHER DOLL BOOT

I've been working diligently trying to finish her costume. I wanted to make her a pair of leather lace up boots. I looked at period Renaissance Shoes and thought a leather turn shoe may be fitting but I ended up hand sewing a leather high top lace up boot, something like a moccasin.

Leather Lace-up Doll Boot by Bethann Scott ©2014

Witch Doll by Bethann Scott

I sewed her a corset style bodice with inserted stays. The vest is lined in silk and the eyelets are hand sewn. She's come a long way.

DRANGONFLY WNGS

ALMOST DONE

DRAGONFLY WING WIP by Bethann Scott

CLOTH AND CLAY SQUIRREL DOLL

WHAT HAPPENED WITH THOSE SQUIRRELS?

They're still a work in progress. I dressed the male squirrel in a white linen shirt, a lined silk jacket, breeches, and brown suede stocking shoes. But my husband said the jacket looked like a dress.  So off came the jacket and I made another in a wool plaid but I'm still not satisfied. I removed all his clothing except for the shirt which brings me back to square one with costuming this couple.

Squirrel  WIP by Bethann Scott The Stitch Fiddler ©2014

Squirrel Art Doll WIP by Bethann Scott ©2014

MISS MELONY "SQUIRREL WIP"

Squirrel Art Doll Work In Progress by Bethann Scott

Miss Melony received her bushy white tail today. I placed a Thunbergia flower from my garden in her hand. I thought about sculpting one from paper-clay.

 Sill much work to do.

SQUIRREL WORK IN PROGRESS

 The Squirrel's finally have their bodies except for the arm sleeves. The sculpted head, hands and legs are not secured in place yet because I still have to do more sculpting and then paint. So do they look like squirrels or mice???

Sir Alexander Acorn and Miss Melony Doll WIP

MY "ROBERT MCKINLEY" DOLL WIP

I finally decided to take the plunge and try making a doll following the techniques of the late artist Robert McKinley in his book "Dollmaking One Artists Approach". I've heard such great things about the artist. I know many artist use some of his techniques in their doll making process. This is my attempt to construct a doll using some of his techniques.

I was hoping my paper clay Head would fit and could be used but it doesn't.

Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" 2014

This is where I left off

 Also, Robert McKinley made his doll using Super Sculpey, therefore, this body construction may not work with a Creative Paper Clay head and neck. We will see. This is my doll maker's muse for today.

OLD WOMAN SCULPTURE ~ Bethann Scott ~ Paper Clay Sculpt WIP

 A few days ago, I began a new paper clay sculpture. This is going to be an Old Woman. I've never sculpted an old woman using clay. Adding the the wrinkles and big nose was quite a delight! Yes, she is going to be based on a Vintage Halloween Postcard. Below is a photo before I added her eye lids and eye bags.

Sculpture WIP by Bethann Scott ©2014

SQUIRREL WIP

This is just the beginning stages of the sculpt. I've never made an animal's head using paper clay. I also have to remember this is a "character figure" and not a "realistic" squirrel.

Squirrel Head Sculpture WIP by Bethann Scott

I like to sculpt during the summer and fall months. I can sit outside and not worry about the mess Creative Paper Clay can make. Most of the mess comes from the sanding part. I have a balcony overlooking our backyard and enjoy watching the birds and yes, the squirrels too!

AFRICAN AMERICAN BOY DOLL FINISHED

African American Male Doll by Bethann Scott

I made him a pair of denim coveralls, a red and white plaid shirt and a straw hat. He will meeting Benita for the first time it just a few days. 

ANYA AND BABA DOLL #1 FINISHED ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

 "The Traveler" Doll called Anya and Baba

 Today I finished the last details. I changed her head position, made her a walking stick and necklace. I used my own baby design which has a trapunto style face. The baby is dressed in a one piece romper and I designed another hat that ties in the front under her chin.  At first I had the hat scrunched ....but I wasn't all that thrilled with how it looked. So I changed her look by allowing the hat to be more elf style. I love it! Well I'm finally done with the two dolls and it was a long but fun journey. 

The Traveler Doll~ Anya and Baba~ by Bethann Scott (made during an online class)

THE TRAVELLER DOLL #2 ~ANYA AND BABA~ BETHANN SCOTT~ THE STITCH FIDDLER

Bethann Scott ©2014

Bethann Scott ©2014

ANYA AND BABA Doll #2

THE TRAVELER  by Bethann Scott ©2014

 I made Anya her hat and needle felted wool yarn in whimsy circles. It's different from the class pattern. I also made Baba a different style hat. I decided to go with my own baby's design. I may try Angela's for the other doll I need to finish. The class seems to be doing well with the baby.

Bethann Scott ©2014

 

 I swept Anya's hair to a side pony tail and added braided decorative yarn. Angela also showed the class how to make a necklace. For her necklace I chose glass beads. I also added the cuffs to her coat. I think I'm about finished.

 Here's the back view...I didn't add the beads to her coat. I'm not sure if I will or not.

Bethann Scott ©2014

AFRICAN AMERICAN ART DOLL WIP

 I started a second  doll. This girl has a dark complexion but I'm not sure what ethnicity she will be....African American?? I did shape the head differently on this doll.

Doll WIP by Bethann Scott

THE TRAVELLER~ LESSON FOUR~ THE HAT~ BETHANN SCOTT ~ The Stitch Fiddler

Bethann Scott ©2014

Bethann Scott ©2014

I finished the hair, hat and beads for the coat. Hopefully the hair won't interfere with the little baby she will carry on her back. If so, I may add braids or bring the hair to the front.

Bethann Scott ©2014

 The the tip of the hat is similar to an elf style hat. I scrunched the tip down and pinned in place for now until I decide if I like this look.The coat was to receive cuffs with little buttons. I'm not sure if I'm going to add the cuffs. I may choose to leave as is so the circle embroidery is not covered up.