Monday, September 5, 2016

Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.

Rachel, sewn by my friend Joyce, from the pattern by Ann Wood

The title of this post is from one of my favorite verses from the Bible:  Proverbs 27:17.  This version is from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) published first in 1995.  The simplicity and truth of this statement informs most of my creativity.  

For example, the lovely cloth doll above was created by my friend Joyce, from the Ann Wood pattern Tiny Rag Doll.  This charming little doll is only five inches tall, and entirely stitched by hand.  Joyce made all of her sewn clothing, even though she says she cannot sew!  All of the clothing is removable,  and her hair is a simple crochet wig cap you can find here.

It has been ages since I've made a cloth doll, but looking at Joyce's work, I had to make this dear little doll myself.


It takes so little fabric to make the doll and all of her outfits.  I tucked it all into a Michael's memory box.  

The handstitching aspect of making this doll gives the dollmaker much more control of the tiny seams and corners, and the stitching itself is a relaxing pasttime.  You are making a doll just like your foremothers made for their children in past centuries.  And as you stitch, think that before the advent of the sewing machine, all clothing was made the same way.

So here is Charlotte, inspired by my friend Joyce, from start to finish.  Thank you, Joyce, for leading the way :-)

Charlotte, stitched by me from the pattern by Ann Wood

Both Joyce and I highly recommend this pattern.  It is well written and all of the steps are copiously photographed.  You will create an heirloom doll of  your own, or one for a special child.

Happy sewing!

17 comments:

  1. Agreed, dear friend :-)

    warmly,

    Beth

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  2. Qué bonita muñeca y qué hermoso mensaje! ♥

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  3. She is wonderful. I love her smallness!

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    1. Thank you so much, Sandra; I was surprised at how easy it was to make such a small doll. I love her smallness too :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  4. Beth,

    Both of the dolls are very sweet. I love the embroidery on your doll, and I'm a big fan of long hair. I'll bet sitting down and sewing by hand was very relaxing. I want to play dolls too!

    - Momma Cat

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    1. Jump in!! This is a delightful pattern, and the possibilites are endless. Plus, it takes so little fabric to create this precious doll.

      You must have been reading my mind, because one of my next dolls has very long strawberry blond hair :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  5. You have both inspired me. Your dolls turned out so wonderfully that I had to buy the pattern too. I just finished sewing the body. I knew that the dolls were just 5" tall, but I am a bit amazed at just how small they really are.

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    1. I am delighted that you are joining our adventure, Dawn! You make such lovely dolls; I can't wait to see your Tiny Rag Doll :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  6. Oh, Beth! Thank you. You and Charlotte have cheered me in the middle of a worrying, sleepless night. She is beautiful. You and Joyce have inspired me. Love Charlotte's flowery ' tattoo!'

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    1. Making a doll, stitching it by hand, has the amazing effect of slowing down time, and pulling you in to a place with no worries, just the doll before you and your creative energy. I hope you can make one, and feel this calm, in a world obsessed with moving ever faster.

      Take care,

      Beth

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  7. I already bought the pattern from Ann Wood and can't wait for a free minute to start making a doll from it. Your post adds fuel to the fire. Your little dolls are so pretty!

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    1. So glad you will be joining our adventure, Megan!

      warmly,

      Beth

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  8. Beautiful dolls and beautiful blog post. I so agree there is magic in hand stitching - it is always good for my brain especially in moments of overwhelm or feeling scattered. It was lovely of you to recommend the pattern and I'm so glad you are enjoying it. The world needs more tiny rag dolls!

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    1. Ann, thank you so very much for the visit, and for creating such a joyous pattern. Several of us are making your doll; it is like eating popcorn...impossible to stop!

      warmly,

      Beth

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