I was cleaning my computer desktop the other day and ran across a pdf from Interweave about making art dolls. It’s a compilation of past articles in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. Here is a link to the download.
I have no idea how long I’ve had this pdf, but it’s been awhile. After printing out the file, I decided I wanted to make these fancy crow cloth dolls by Kelli Perkins. I call them ravens because my friend Amy likes ravens, and I wanted to make her something she liked! While I was at it, I made Barbara one too!
Kelli’s tutorial, which appeared in the Cloth Paper Scissors November/December 2007 issue, included a pattern for the dolls and suggestions on how to finish them.
The hardest part of making the doll was deciding which fabric and embellishments I wanted to use. Using the pattern, I cut out two black bird shapes using a piece of wool from a thrift shop sweater. I gathered my other stuff, and then auditioned them on the front of the bird black cutout. Once I was happy with the design, I glued down the pieces with just a dab of glue.
Next I sewed down these pieces, continuing to add embellishments.
Using my Posca pens I colored the eye.
Before adding the bird back, I added the button and stitched the beak. Then I added the hair using Sobo craft and fabric glue to keep the fibers in place until I sewed them down.
Then I sewed around the whole bird leaving an area open to stuff.
Then I stuffed and sewed up the opening. And here he is!
I sewed another one, using the sewing machine on the front to secure the fabric and also to add some extra stitches. Instead of machine sewing the front and back together, I hand sewed it.
These were so much fun to make. I can’t wait to see what Amy and Barbara thinks about their new buddies.
Now to decide what I’m going to sew next. Humm. Hope you’ve had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend.
Another fun project. Thanks for sharing
Lynda, I LOVE my raven! She is sitting here with me in my office. Thank you!
Really cute, Lynda! Thanks for the link to the download… might find time to play with these come winter.
Thanks. They are so much fun to make. A great winter project for sure!
Barbara, So glad you like her!!
Luann, Thanks. It was a lot of fun.