The Stitch Fiddler ~AN ELF GIRL

When I was searching through my stashes of fabric, I came across this colorful batik full of Autumn colors which became my inspiration for this doll's costume. Fortunate for me, I found the perfect color for the chemise and bloomers in a gorgeous golden silk.s of fabric, I came across this colorful batik full of Autumn colors which became my inspiration for this doll's costume. Fortunate for me, I found the perfect color for the chemise and bloomers in a gorgeous golden silk.

        Elf Girl Art Doll by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler ©2016

OOAK Elf Girl Art Doll by Bethann Scott ©2016

HAND SEWN EYELETS ~Bethann Scott ~ The Stitch Fiddler

For my next doll I designed what I call a Tinker Bell style bodice that laces up the front. I seldom like adding grommets even though I have the power riveter and hole punch tools. I'd rather hand sew the eyelets using the buttonhole stitch.

Hand Sewn Eyelets by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2016

Hand Sewn Eyelets by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2016

Tinker Bell style Bodice by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2016 

HALLOWEEN WITCH DOLL ~THE STITCH FIDDLER~ Bethann Scott

Her outfit consists of a linen chemise and split drawers, black wool skirt, wool vest. leather witch hat and leather lace-up boots. All the costuming is handmade including the witch broom.

Halloween Witch by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2015

 Lace-up Doll Boots by Bethann Scott ©2015

WITCH ART DOLL by Bethann Scott © 2015

FAIRY MEETS TRAVELER

The Fairy and The Traveler
I just couldn't resist showing the difference in the size of these two dolls. The Elf/Fairy is 16" seated and the Traveler is 13" standing! Now I'll be making a small fairy doll with wings.

Textile Art Dolls by Bethann Scott

TRAVELER DOLL

The Traveler doll is finally finished. I totally switched directions and changed her costume. For some reason I just wasn't satisfied with the dress. She just didn't appear to be a "Traveler". Instead I gave her a  wool plaid skirt, a cashmere sweater and socks, cotton bloomers, leather shoes and a wool scarf. Though I didn't finish her in time for the challenge, I'm glad I accomplished making a 13 inch doll.

Folk Art Traveler Doll by Bethann Scott ©2015

ELF ART DOLL

My inspiration color came to life this week with a small twist, I used a totally different fabric than the original organza that I draped over her shoulder. Much of her costume is needle felted including her Elf hat and slippers. She sits atop a Mushroom that I created. I love the movement and colors. I was going to make a pair of wings, but that will be for the next doll.

ELF ART DOLL by Bethann  Scott "The Stitch Fiddler" ©2015

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

Elf Art Doll by Bethann Scott The Stitch Fiddler

FAIRY ELF IN PROGRESS ~THE STITCH FIDDLER~ Bethann Scott

I just finished sewing a Fairy Elf Doll and am choosing the color for her costume. I find it helpful to place fabric over the doll's body and take photos. I'm always fascinated how color changes the look of a doll. I'm leaning towards the purple, but if you're a follower, you know I'm subject to change my mind!

FAIRY ELF ART DOLL WIP BY BETHANN SCOTT ©2015

TWO MORE RABBITS

I sewed up two more Rabbits one a charcoal grey and the second a warm sandy brown. Both are made using wool. 

Wool Bunny Rabbits by Bethann Scott "The Stitch Fiddler"

RABBIT DOLL ~THE STITCH FIDDLER~ Bethann Scott

Spring is on it's way!!

Wool Rabbit by Bethann Scott ©2015 "The Stitch Fiddler"

To celebrate March and the soon arrival of spring, I made a grey wool rabbit. The rabbit is button jointed and can sit with legs positioned up or down. I will be making just a few of these rabbits and then moving on to finish other dolls in progress.

VICTORIAN MASQUERADE DOLL ~BETHANN SCOTT~ The Stitch Fiddler

Her gown is made using silk and the contrast (darker green) is dupioni silk. The bustle and train are detachable.  Her underpinnings are white satin split drawers, stockings and leather slipper shoes. Under her gown she is wearing a minty green petticoat. I added more ruffles.

Masquerade Art Doll by Bethann Scott The Stitch Fiddler ©2015

Victorian Masquerade Ball Art Doll by Bethann Scott ©2015

 I wasn't sure how I was going to style her hair and found myself watching "Gibson Girl" up-dos. With dolls one has to become a costume designer, make-up artist, and hair stylist.

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

   

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

Gingerbread Father Christmas by Bethann Scott thestitchfiddler

GINGERBREAD FATHER CHRISTMAS

My wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season are a little later than usual this year. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

As for me I was quite busy "cleaning out my attic" full of things collected over the years and found myself making several trips to the Goodwill and Salvation Army to donate. I didn't plan on all this sorting, after all I had a Gingerbread Father Christmas to finish. But Father Christmas and his sheep waited patiently on the shelf as I took truck loads to the thrift stores. Many of the items were Christmas decorations that I hoped others would enjoy.

Now that Christmas Day has come and gone, I'm now back to sewing and hope to finish Santa Claus and a few other projects.

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.