Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Christmas Ornament 2024
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Hello Reader, I've been thinking about this year's Christmas ornament design/pattern. I have a few ideas, but have decided to make a caroler. Yesterday I took a break from the "Big Project" to get a start on a prototype. I hope to have the caroler holding a music book, dressed in winter attire, and with an open mouth (painted) to mimic singing. Right now I'm working on proportions. If this first draft is too big, I can always reduce it while still maintaining these proportions. Already I can see that the arms (upper and lower) may be a little too long - I don't want the ornament to be too front heavy, making it hang awkwardly. So rather than starting over, I've marked a line on the upper arms as a guide to ladder stitch and shorten the length a little, and I'll trim the pattern for the next one. I'll snip the gathering stitches at the lower arm's elbow area and trim some of that off, then gather it closed again. The lower arm will be ladder stitched to the upper arm in the position I'm envisioning. Costuming is still pending - probably a polar fleece or knitted sweater, hat, ear muffs, etc. I doubt the pattern will be published before the holiday. That part of the project always takes much more time than the actual doll!
*Have you missed any Tips or Tutorials?* Tip #1: Sewing with Freezer Paper
Tip #3: Sewing Stripes Tip #4: Realistic Fingernails
Tip #6: Drafting a Clothing Pattern Tip #7: Pleater Board Tutorial
Deanna Hogan
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Deanna Hogan, Blue Heron Dolls
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, It's been a week since my last newsletter - I'm on a roll! I've been budgeting my time, working in the studio a couple hours per day. It's been a nice change to work on one doll at a time, as opposed to an assembly line workflow. My current project is from one of my earlier patterns - one I haven't made in a LONG time (2017)! I'd forgotten how many steps this doll requires, including baking and drying times. This is Viola Ruth, my interpretation of an Alabama Baby, using modern...
Hello Reader, Now that we're well into 2026, it's time to get a wiggle on and start making dolls for ODACA Day this summer. I'm looking forward to visiting New Orleans again, and will be taking a couple girlfriends with me, one of whom will be arranging our various excursions (music venues, walking tour, swamp/boat adventure, cemetery visits...) In the past week I made a new doll - partly because I was procrastinating getting a start on my luncheon centerpiece steampunk doll (daunting), and I...
Hello Reader, After the big push - finishing 40 souvenir dolls and their 80 little companions for a 2027 UFDC luncheon, I'm ready to proceed with my ODACA Day Centerpiece doll. Or am I? This year's ODACA Day Luncheon centerpiece dolls will be unlike previous years', where one artist makes all the centerpieces (another artist makes the souvenirs). This year, seven artists will make a steampunk doll for the seven tables at the luncheon. Each will interpret the theme "steampunk masquerade" in...