Introduction
This book is all about the dolls, not the ones we play with as children, but the ones we get away with having and creating as adults. It is all about the art and the tactile….what’s not to like?
Who is it aimed at?
The authors tell us: ‘The book is oriented toward beginning doll makers, but offers unique variations and embellishments to please even more experienced doll designers.’ From our view, there is plenty of inspiration for all those interested in this subject with the added bonus of all the basics explored.
Both hand and machine embroidery can be used. Although a machine is used for some parts, hand stitching will just take a little longer!
About the artists
This book has been written by three individual artists, all having a shared love of doll making. They are: Elinor Peace Bailey, Patti Medaris Culea, and Barbara Willis. They all know each other and are said to be friends, so the ideas conveyed throughout the book all work in harmony and compliment each other. We would all love to have friends who share our interests as much as these three!
Content
The book itself is divided into five chapters, the artists having one each. The other two give us an introduction and a gallery, to give us as much visual inspiration as possible from a variety of artists.
What makes it special?
We are never left to our own opinions, or left to flounder. As the dolls get more complex in style, each stage is detailed. We loved this instruction section:
Photography
We loved how there was a mix of photographs, of not just the finished dolls but the materials required.
Oh, we are also very nosey here at Mr X Stitch, thus we loved the inside view of this artists studio:
What is wrong with the book?
If you are a complete traditional doll maker and don’t fancy a change, or if you are not inclined to a sewing machine, certain parts will not interest you. Otherwise, its a fun and an ideal excuse to get back to making something a little less pretentious, with an edge of childhood.
Conclusion
