Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls

First of all, let me say that these dolls are NOT for children! They are for the satisfaction of those who make them and for the astonishment and awe of those who view the finished projects! I saw Jan Horrox at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace a couple of years ago, but couldn't get near her stand for interested people so I bought this book for myself from Amazon, read it, and then bought a copy for my friend. We decided that we would get together and start a new hobby, but it was over a year before we actually got down to it. However, we have now faithfully followed Ms Horrox's instructions and each have a very satisfactory doll which was great fun to make. We are also inspired to continue to make more. The instructions in the book are easy to follow (if you take the trouble to read them properly, which we didn't, resulting in a lot of unpicking!) and, before you know it, you've got a really lovely doll to show your friends, who will tell you how clever you are! Having started with the easiest one (which has a flat face and mitt hands), you will be inspired to graduate to the next stage with a sculpted face and hands with fingers. Good luck! Once on your way (if you are anything like my friend and me) you will be hooked and will have a absorbing new hobby. Ms Horrox's beautifully illustrated book gives very clear instructions that almost anyone can follow to make a very impressive doll and she also has a website with lots of information (and a shop) regarding supplies for doll-making and also patterns for dolls which don't appear in her book.

I have wanted to try making a doll for a very long time but lacked the courage. I thought I would buy this book just to have a look and see what was involved but with no expectation that I would be able to actually make an acceptable doll. However, once I had collected together some of the necessary tools and fabric I felt obliged to have a go and have just completed my first ever doll with only a few minor panics and am ready to have another go at a more complicated one. The book was very clear, the patterns easy to follow and I was taken step by step through the whole process. I did make a few basic errors which hopefully I will avoid on my next attempt but this book is a gem and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to have a go at doll making and who has a small amount of experience with a sewing machine.

Just looking at the cover brings out the 'hidden' talents in me! I was looking for some ideas for using all my remnants up and came across this book on Amazon. Received it yesterday and have 'studied' it ever since! I've never done such intricate work before but Jan explains it very well, clearly and effectively. I personally am drawn to the wood nymph on the cover so am going to try that one first. Jan gives so many helpful guides along the way that I'm 'almost' confident I make a start at this craft, and improve as I go on. A really good way to use up your 'leftovers'. I actually bought a kilo bag of remnants from Crazyladies costumes on Amazon for just a few pounds last week, beautiful as they were, they weren't quite right for the job I had in mind, but PERFECT for this project.

Once I got this book I decided to make the first doll, Miranda. The instructions were so explicit and careful that within a week I had my own version in my hands. I had such a feeling of accomplishment because, even though I say so myself, the doll is a cracker! I had some problems with the face (I ended up embroidering the features on in single thread silk as I couldn't get the features vivid enough with the painting equipment I have in hand) and head (her jaw line was far too wide and she looked like she had jowls lol) but I put these down to my inexperience and they were easily remedied. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am looking forward to making the other two dolls very shortly. I would heartily recommend this book.

I like this book and I'm enjoying working through the projects which, although clear and concise, assume some prior knowledge. I've been sewing for years and have lots of experince in making clothes so ok for me but probably harder if you've not used a sewing machine much. If you can follow a basic sewing pattern you'll be find with this book, if you've never sewn before in your life buy with caution.

What a lovely book. I make cloth dolls and wanted to try something a bit different and was drawn to this. I haven't made one yet - watch this space, but I am in the process of tracing out the patterns. The instructions are clear and concise and full details are given of every aspect in the making. I love the fact that the faces are drawn on in fabric pens (also purchased from Amazon by the way) as I usually embroider them on, which can take quite a long time. Can't wait to get started.

The first time I came across Jan's cloth dolls was a pattern for one in a magazine some years ago. I used the pattern several times but I wanted to go a step further. The book does exactly that. It shows you the basics then goes into more detail and guides you from the basics to more advanced techniques, eg in the way you might do hands and feet. There are lots of ideas on how to change each doll so that it looks completely different, just by using different colours etc. I still have problems colouring the faces, but the detailed photos in this book are wonderful so it will help me with the next face I try!

This is a superb book for anyone thinking of making cloth dolls. Clearly written with excellent instructions and very well illustrated. It lists in detail all the tools and supplies required (the more unusual ones are available from Jan's website) but dolls can be made will only minimal investment. I was nervous about drawing faces but Jan's book makes this so straightforward. If you are even just a little bit interested in making art dolls and think it is too difficult, buy the book and have a go - you will be astounded.

Hobby nähen aus dem buch einfach gemacht, man taucht einfach in eine ganz andere Welt ein auf jeden fall empfehlenswert

Arrived swiftly, very nice book for intermediate doll makers. Can't wait to start using it! Nice and easy patterns and really whimsy projects.

Absolutely amazing book! Wish like heck I could attach a photo of my first doll from this book. It has several doll patterns and really, you should make them in order as each teaches a new / different technique. Lots of great information, little tips and tricks. Here are a few I have learned from my experience: 1. save cereal boxes. When you trace out your pattern pieces on tissue you can use a glue stick to mount them on the cardboard from the cereal boxes and not have to actually pay for poster board. More money to spend on fabric and hair and goodies. 2. This little darling [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DV913JO/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1] works great to fill with the fray check to get into the tight spaces in the hands and corners of the seam allowances you leave. 3. When you move on to trying to make more realistic dolls or character dolls, be very careful what type of hair you order. If you are order natural fiber such as mohair or angora, be sure it has been carded and you are ordering lengths of roving. My first doll I ordered hair and wasn't watching and totally missed the description. It was not carded and although washed and dyed nicely, it still had little bits and pieces of stray and "stuff" in it. Good hair costs so be aware and shop around. 4. Find a clear pressure foot for you sewing machine! it will save you tons in pain killers for the head ach you will have if you don't. I started out with a metal pressure foot and you just can't track the sewing line well enough. With a clear pressure foot and a lighter than usual pressure you should be able to track the stitch lines with no problem at all. Now, as to why I say this is great for a seamstress with a bit of experience... I have a niece that has absolutely no sewing experience at all. She saw the first doll and loved it and wanted me to teach her to make one for her little sister. I purchased another book of more basic dolls for her to start with and will be helping her make some simple projects first. Do not think that you can go out and just purchase a sewing machine, fabric and the book and just whip out a doll. It's just not going to happen and you will be bent and disappointed in the extreme. Practice a bit first with more basic projects / dolls first and then graduate up to something more detailed. :)

I wanted to buy Jan Horrox's Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls but after checking this book out from the library, I knew as a beginner I could never make them without buying this book too. So that's exactly what I did and glad I did so. Although Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls is thorough on making the specific dolls in that book and does provide some of the same information as this one to get you started, this book is far more detailed with respect to the materials and techniques she uses. The dolls in this book are beautiful. The craft is not a particularly easy one but one that requires much patience and practice. The patterns are very detailed. The faces and features are amazing. You need to purchase quite a few supplies to get started including special pigma pens, certain types of cloth, acrylic paint, artist spray,watercolour pencils, etc..So it is quite an investment if you decide to pursue it. Which I have.

The first copy of this book that I bought was used, and the pattern section at the back of the book had been torn out. I had no choice but to buy a second copy in which the patterns were part of the book, rather than a supplement -- a cautionary tale for those of us who buy used books! That said, this book is enchanting. The author provides lists and photos of materials needed to complete the dolls, with very clear instructions and step-by-step color photos of doll construction, and helpful tips. The author employs very clever techniques: such as using rib knit for hair, free machine embroidering for fabric embellishment, and heat-treating polyester organza for special effects, as well as introducing specialty products such as Angelina heat-fused fibers to achieve a gossamer effect for wings. I love this book so much, that I bought a copy of Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls, also by Jan Horrox. Be aware that these dolls are NOT meant to be toys! I would recommend this book to everyone!