Cloth Doll Workshop: From the Beginning and Beyond with Doll Masters elinor peace bailey, Patti Medaris Culea, and Barbara Willis

by Elinor Peace Bailey, Patti Medaris Culea, Barbara Willis

Patti Culea, elinor peace bailey, and Barbara Willis are three of the leading doll artists and teachers in the country. They are also friends. Each of these artists has her own distinct approach to the design and development of a cloth figure. In this book, each artist's process will come alive through their choice of fabrics, sketches, simple patterns, and skill-building variations. The book is oriented toward beginning doll makers, but offers unique variations and embellishments to please even more experienced doll designers. Two introductory chapters cover basic materials and techniques. Each artist's chapter includes step by step illustrations, instructions, and patterns to make a complete doll, plus variations that create completely new figures. Readers are treated to full color photography and a look inside of each artist's workspace. A gallery of additional creations by each artist, along with commentary on each work completes the collection. This is a must-have book for any aspiring or experienced doll making.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Suzanne Manners · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made dolls when I was a young mother and didn't have a job. Now I have a full time career, but no children at home. This book made me anxious to begin creating dolls again. I found several good tips I didn't already know about, such as using a turning fork. This is an instrument to help with turning and stuffing fingers and toes... and inserting pipe cleaners to help shape limbs. The artists in this book have shared their whimsical characters with complete instructions. They have a recommended list of materials that all doll makers should own. I hope to start back soon and make some dolls for my granddaughter while she's still young enough to enjoy playing with them.

[SueK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just received this two days ago, and have made my way through it already. Even though I've made many cloth dolls, some with patterns from these artists, I found myself actually reading instructions and enjoying them! This is a terrific book for beginning doll artists, and full of nice ideas for the rest of us. Recommended!

[Lil' Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not an advanced sewer but I'm better than a beginner however when this pattern needs another pattern added to it to make it work that is when there is an issue I actually had to take and add other patterns while sewing to make a well-looking doll.

The pattern I tried to do was "Gypsy" because I thought it looked easiest it was not you need the EXACT materials they say otherwise you'll struggle however I loved the pictures and the bigger size of the doll I'm making is working I just wish it was easier to do with a old Tshirt

[Maryanne Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

starter book for doll makers

These three doll artists are the best in the business, each with their own style and take in dolls. Patterns are a nice addition.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am interested in making rag dolls, and thought that this book might give me some good ideas, or at least offer some information that would be helpful. Unfortunately for me, this book is more about artistic dolls rather than dolls I can share with my very young nieces, so that part wasn't very helpful at all.

While there are a lot of really good photos in the book, and three patterns you can use to make dolls of your own, the dolls all seemed to be a bit above 'beginner' capabilities. While I've done some sewing in the past, I've only made one doll and no other stuffed creations, so this wasn't really the book for me.

However, if you were looking for a book that would give someone with more experience the ability to create some really fun and funky artistic dolls, this would be the one for you.