Cloth Dollmaking Book:
More than just a collection of patterns and instructions, Cloth Dollmaking, published in spiral bound format, is an informative, thought-provoking book that will start you on the road to designing and making your own fabulous dolls. Written for the beginning dollmaker as well as the more experienced, Cloth Dollmaking begins with simple dolls and basic theory, and chapter by chapter, leads you through more and more complex dollmaking techniques, until you are able to design and build your own creations with the confidence of a professional.

Cloth Dollmaking is one hundred thirty-eight pages of theory and instruction. Filled with over 450 concise illustrations, 19 pages of patterns and 8 lovely images of finished dolls, this book not only shows you what you can make with the patterns and instructions given, it nudges and provokes you to go beyond the safe confines of its pages and experiment on your own.

CHAPTER ONE: Make a felt Christmas tree ornament, while going through the basics of sewing, stuffing and turning techniques. Learn why your doll's head droops. Correct common problems before they occur, by understanding what causes them.

CHAPTER TWO: Turn an empty thread cone into a Christmas treetop angel. Then use the same half doll pattern to make a pincushion doll. Learn how to make your own patterns, or alter old patterns to make them work better. Discover how to make the bias of the fabric work for you.

CHAPTER THREE: Decorate your favorite room with a full sized boudoir doll. See how to make a doll sit up by herself. Learn how to paint three dimensional-looking facial features. Make a simple wig.

CHAPTER FOUR: Sculpt a cloth-covered hard face for your cloth dolls, using my easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. This is the technique that makes my dolls so original. You will learn my secrets to making eyes that shine, and sculpted, seamless faces. Sculpting a face in clay has never been easier, with my foolproof tips for making realistic features. Then make a mold and reproduce your doll’s face over and over. Nothing mysterious, complicated or toxic is used. Simple plaster of Paris is poured into a mold box you make yourself.

CHAPTER FIVE: Make a fairy marionette with a molded face, described in chapter four. Learn how to make a doll's wig from an old hairpiece. Then fascinate your friends by making the puppet walk, dance - even fly! Full instructions are given for making a wooden control for the puppet, and stringing it correctly.

CHAPTER SIX: Use all the techniques you’ve learned to create beautiful one-quarter scale dolls. Begin with a simple 18th Century fashion doll,with arms that swing at the shoulder for easy dressing. Complete your training by making a nude 20th Century female figure! You will even learn how to make a wire armature that allows your doll to stand without external support.

At the end of each chapter is a problem solving section. You are challenged to use the skills you have learned to make a doll described in this section.

My goal is to provide the stepping stones to start you on your own journey into the unique adventure of cloth dollmaking. You will gather the knowledge needed to start making your own dolls, gaining the experience it takes to give you the confidence you need.

Happy Dollmaking!