More Hoffman Progress

I worked on my Hoffman doll all day yesterday, and got quite a bit done. Much of the time was spent making little yo-yo flowers to put on her skirt.

Her sleeves were cut from a blouse made of that weird textured fabric. I don't know if it's silk or some synthetic, but the fabric was difficult to work with.

Today I'll be working on some sort of bodice. I haven't even begun to think about her hair yet.

More fabric arrived!

Bingo! This is the same fabric I bought at Fabric Depot several years ago ( "powder" color). Now I've got nearly 8 yards of beautiful skin tone fabric for dolls with the powder and cameo shades. Here's a photo of the two fabrics side-by-side. 

Maybe I should order one of the ethic shades, too. I've got quite a lot, but all are knits of various kinds - not woven.

New fabric came today

The "cameo" fabric I ordered has arrived, and I compared it to what I've been using. The cameo is just a little darker than what I've been using, and would also work very well for doll skin. After looking at the photos on the Hingeley website (link in previous post), the stuff I bought at the Fabric Depot may have been the "powder" color, as shown below.

Favorite Doll Fabric

A couple years ago I was at the Fabric Depot in Portland (Oregon) for a doll class. It's the largest fabric store I've ever seen. Really, it's amazing. While there, I picked up some fabric in a nice flesh tone that I thought would work for dolls. Turns out, it's one of the nicest woven fabrics I've used.

Now, I'm almost out of my stash. At least I had the foresight to cut a bit of the selvedge off with the name of the manufacturer on it. It didn't take long to track it down, and then to find an online store that carried it. Unfortunately, the selvedge didn't have the name of the color on it.

The fabric is by Timeless Treasures Fabrics, Inc., and is part of their "Complexion Collection." The pattern number is km-c7966, and the color I've been using is "Cameo" (I think), though I see it comes in several shades that would be nice for dolls. I just bought six yards from this store (no affiliation, just one of the first links on Google when I did a search): http://www.hingeleyroadquilting.com/search.aspx?find=complexion+collection

June 26: I just got an email from doll-friend Susan Saint-Leaves. She told me the above link no longer has the cameo colored fabric pictured here, which actually appears a little darker than my stuffed dolls. I think the dolls may appear lighter partially due to the white stuffing used, or maybe I bought a different color at the Fabric Depot. I'll compare when my new order arrives - I got their last 4 7/8 yards. I'd really like to get my hands on samples of all the colors.

Hoffman...Progress

Worked all day yesterday, and finished my Hoffman doll. Now I'm ready to start her clothing, which is what the Hoffman Challenge is all about.I'm just under the upper size limit, so hopefully I can get her on a base without exceeding it.

I've not yet decided on hair yet, but want to use a fiber that will travel well.

Hoffman Doll...started

After pouring through inspiration books, photos, and drawings, I've finally started my Hoffman doll. I'm using my "Under the Harvest Moon" pattern, reduced to 90% and further shortened at the waist (in order to meet the size requirement of less than 20 inches in height). I have a vague idea of costuming, but I know it will evolve as I go.

Remember, I'm collecting photos of any Hoffman dolls out there for this year's challenge (dolls are due in mid July). Just send them my way - I've received six dolls so far! Go to my website to see them:

http://www.blueherondolls.com/

Click on Hoffman dolls, and on 2011 dolls.

Fiona's Dolly

I've finally finished Fiona's birthday doll, made from a vintage pattern. Took long enough! Here she is in her diaper. I decided to paint (instead of embroider) her face.

The pattern had several outfits from which to choose, so I made the romper, bonnet, and shoes - all of which are removable. I don't like how her arms stick out (they were pinned down in the top photo), but maybe they'll loosen up as time goes by and she's played with.

Suffragette Sally ~ prototype done... well, mostly

Finally finished Suffragette Sally's outer costuming today, completing her hat and sign. This is the second hat of the day and it's still a wee bit tight, but I managed to fit it on her head. I've made the necessary adjustments to the pattern for the next doll.





Now to move on to her undergarments and some pattern variations - individual wired fingers, for example.

No, wait. I've gotta finish  granddaughter Fiona's baby doll first. What was I thinking?

Suffragette Sally

Next May, I'll be teaching a class in Ohio: http://clothdollconnection.com/dollgatherers/flyer.html
The "Party" I'm representing is "Glory." Before beginning my new doll/design, I went to the Merriam Webster dictionary to look up the word glory for inspiration. What I found was "very great praise, honor, distinction. something that is a source of honor, fame or admiration. A distinguished ornament or source of pride."

Now keeping in mind that this is a patriotic-themed doll conference, and I have a particular fondness for dolls with a vintage look, I immediately though of the Women's Suffrage movement in this country.

I really enjoyed researching the clothing and hairstyles of the early 1900s. Here's my prototype for the class. Her clothing is removable. I'm still making her hat, and her shoes will be painted. She still needs some underthings, too. Oh, and she'll hold a sign saying something like "Votes for Women."

Call for Hoffman Entries!

Time for my annual call for any Hoffman doll entries. For those who are unaware, I host pages on my main website dedicated to Hoffman dolls each year. I've got this year's pages all set up, just need photos of the dolls! The link below will tell you a little bit about the Challenge if you're not familiar with it. I think this year's deadline is July 15, but better check the Hoffman site to be sure. Here's this year's Challenge fabric:

My Hoffman pages:
http://www.blueherondolls.com/Hoffman%20Challenge.htm
I started hosting photos on my site in 2002, the first year I heard of the Challenge. It doesn't matter if you made the doll but never sent it in because you missed the deadline. I still want photos! For the best photos of your doll, keep in mind the lighting and background. I put some photo hints here on my blog some time ago - just click on "Tutorials" at the top of this blog page - it's the first tutorial listed.

I've not started my doll yet but received the challenge fabric last week, with a couple accent fabrics. No ideas yet, but right now I'm focused on finishing a new doll/design for a class I'll be teaching next May in Ohio (almost done, too!)

Send me photos here: blueheron61@charter.net