Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
What the New Year Brings
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Hello Reader, As one of my New Year's Resolutions, I took on the daunting task of cleaning out the attic. We've lived in this old Craftsman (built around 1918) since 1993 and during that time, the attic, while convenient (too convenient, apparently) facilitated the accumulation of many things. I'm a sentimental fool, but as I pulled boxes, crates, sacks and bins of stuff out of the two attic spaces (east and west sides of the house), I became less precious. After many trips to Goodwill and the local dump, my task is nearly done. It feels really good. That means I can finally get to sewing again. First on my list is to create a second tree ornament so I can write the instructions and photograph or draw the steps to make her. Formalizing a pattern is a time-consuming process. I'm a very basic knitter, so I did what I usually do and used an existing wool sweater to cut and sew hers. I thought I'd make a second ornament with a festive red sweater, so I bought two at the second hand store - but to my surprise they fit ME and look pretty good, so... Last year was very productive. There was something on my schedule/calendar nearly every day. During the week prior to Christmas, I found the time to make a surprise Santa for a friend. She called me Christmas morning, squealing (literally) with delight. It was the last thing she expected, and that warmed my heart. When the new pattern is completed and published, I plan to tackle my closet (shudder) - think Swedish death cleaning. My push to create a simpler space has even rubbed off on my husband (hallelujah!!)
*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, I finished a doll yesterday, and it felt good. When I started her I thought she'd be a good one to take to Virginia for this summer's ODACA Day. But as life has a way of getting in the way, I had to make the decision to cancel the trip. My only regret will be missing all my doll friends. So here's "Averill." I'd forgotten how time-consuming she is to make but I didn't feel rushed as I made her, working a little bit on her each day. She has buried bead joints in her elbows,...
Hello Reader, It's finally spring, which means we're due for weather that beats down my beautiful daffodils. It never fails. Yesterday I started sewing a new doll. This is exciting and refreshing for me because while working on my Big Project (secret souvenir dolls for 2027) and Christmas creations, all my other doll undertakings were on hold. But which doll to make? I went through my patterns and picked one. I chose "Averill," a doll I haven't made in a long time (the last one was a OOAK...
Hello Reader, I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING. So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has...