Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls

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. :)

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!

Absolutely impressed with the book and the care taken with the packaging!! The book is in brand new condition and it was packaged so well!! There was no way it could have ever been damaged on it's way to me. It is in such perfect condition. I am so impressed. I thank the seller so much. I would surely buy from this seller again.

LOVE this Doll book. Easy read, great fun and progressive. I have made it a habit to pick up books and work through them. My latest craze has been cloth dolls and I own about 10 books from different authors and this one is my favorite. From a basic pancake doll to a complex jointed doll, the author takes you through a progression of techniques and tips to create some really cool and expressive art dolls. If you need some good face building techniques, ( usually the most intimidating part)this is a good start. I was able to take a few basic steps and create doll heads/ faces that were very basic to sophisticated to just fun and funky. Cool Hair techniques that I was not expecting made me think, Hmmmm- what could I do with that? A new wing technique( new to me) is a bit more complicated and time consuming but produces a professional result. Patterns in this book were easy to read, easy to sew and some what interchangeable. If you are looking for an introductory book into this craft- this was an awesome artistic experience. Highly recommended.

This is a nice book, in full color. Instructions are clear. Give good supply lists, has full patterns for use. Tips on how to dye fabrics is good. Overall this is a good book. I am learning how to make more complicated dolls. This book helps me learn techniques I have not tried before. It is not as intricate as some books, but still has good explanations and very cute dolls.

I loved this book! I've been wanting to make cloth dolls for years but didn't know where to start. I don't have a sewing background and there aren't any doll-making classes near where I live. After having read the other reviews of this book, I decided to buy it. I have in my mind the type of dolls i want to make, and they aren't exactly the ones that are in this book. But that doesn't matter- when you are learning something new, you have to learn the basics, then you can apply your own techniques. I just needed to know the basics! I am so glad I bought this book, because I made my very first-ever doll! I still consider myself a newbie of course- I have so much more to learn, but I am on the path now, and that's all that matters. Highly recommend!

this is a great introduction to doll making. lots of pictures and details

Just as described, excellent book.

Making dolls

Au début, des techniques:comment faire la tête et ses traits, comment faire les mains, les pieds,comment attacher la tête au corps, les membres sur le corps...c'est très détaillé avec des photos progressives et très utiles pour quelqu'un qui connaîtrait peu l'anglais.Ensuite, ii ya trois modèles à faire avec les patrons.C'est un guide idéal pour débuter.

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.

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.