So I'm trying out a new design--a "paper doll." (When I told Annabelle, she said, "Yeah, only not really because it's made of felt." Sheesh.) Here she is, entire:
And here's her backside:
Those of you who have been reading since the days of aimlessness and flash photography (a.k.a. "my mom") will remember that I have made similar dollies before, but I did this one differently. I made the top layer by cutting her shape from wool felt, hand sewing her eyes and attaching her hair and skivvies. Then I pinned her to a layer of blue felt and a layer of the polka dot fabric you see up there. I used the zigzag to edge stitch the body to these layers, and then I cut her out as close to the edge as possible, taking care not to snip the zigzag threads. I like her a lot better this way, and it was quicker than when I used to do it all by hand (prior to my lovely Janome).Now, she's quite sturdy and very fun to hold, as you can see here in this action shot:
Thing is, I think "paper dolls," even--yes, Annabelle--if they're made out of felt--should stand. Engineering is not my strong suit, so I thought maybe someone among you--my clever peeps--might have an idea of how I might achieve this quite crucial objective. Anyone?While you're thinking about that, I'm gonna make some clothes! Best part!
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8 comments:
Hmmm ... could you make a little stand for the dolls? That way people could either play with the dolls flat or stand them upright to display (with their nifty new togs).
I have a stand to hold postcards that might work. Basically, it's a small piece of wood with a groove cut down the middle ... slide the doll along the groove. Depending on the doll's floppiness, you might need to add some sort of vertical support.
Yes--that's a good idea, but I'm no woodworker, sadly. I wonder if I could do the same kind of thing with paper clay?
i can't help you but i can say she is a charming thing.
How about a triangular stand with a notch in the center? Think old school wooden christmas tree stand?
I wish I could draw here, somehow... :(
She is lovley-
Just to clarify, not wood, I think the felt would work just as well-
would something like this work with a sturdy piece (even double thick?) of felt? : http://www.100megsfree4.com/gogators4/CutOutInstructions.html
i love her, btw. what a great idea! i keep thinking i can't wait until ellie is old enough to be careful with paper dolls, but THIS could stand up! (no pun intended...)
That's just what I was thinking, Elissa--that very littles could play with these. Annabelle liked paper dolls when she was two or three, but she couldn't deal with them without a huge amount of frustration. I used to make them for her and laminate them, and then we'd just tape the clothes on, so they'd stay. Felt's better, I think.
I'll check out the link you sent!
These look great. I once made a two dimensional cardboard Christmas tree (bear with me here) and to make it stand up I just took another rectangular piece of cardboard (about the same width as the base of the tree), made a small slit in both the base of the tree and the piece of cardboard, and then inserted them into each other at the slits to form a cross at the base. It's late and I don't know how to explain it any more easily but if you replace the tree for the doll it could work (in theory)! The reinforced felt would be strong enough to hold it. Good luck with it.
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