I “dyed” the neck lace- actually this is what I did- I mixed up the color I wanted with acrylics and then diluted it with water. After doing a test swatch, I wet the lace and dipped it in, swished it around and then wrung it out. I flattened out the lace so it would dry in shape and let it air dry over night. When it was dry, I thought the color was too light- it looked like tea dyeing instead of a more golden yellow color… so I rewet it and dipped it into the paint mixture again. At this point I didn’t feel like waiting another day for it to air dry. I flattened out and shaped the lace and then ironed it dry and got on with the project. I gathered up the lace at the bottom edge and sewed it onto the neck edge of the shirt. The shirt has snaps to close it in the back.
I have finished the tunic, I think. I used hidden hooks and eyes to close the front instead of buttons. I might go back later when everything else is done.
I am working on the cape. I am having a hard time with the velour fabric. I am not used to working with this kind of material. It has a great drape but so wiggly when I try to sew it. I have finished off the edges with bias tape- I am hoping the tape will give some body and shape to the cape … I think the velour would collapse when I start adding the bird beads. Also the feather trim is turning out to be a challenge to use. It seems to be meant for a gluing project, not sewing. I’ll figure it out… lots of hand-sewing on this doll’s clothes.

The basic elements of the costume are cut out and assembled- here are the leggings and shirt…

The shirt needs something more at the neck. I am thinking about this lace. I will dye it.

This is the tunic. I am really pleased with the bottom hem- the ruffly look. That was just what I wanted. I feathered stitched around the arm holes and neck opening- seemed appropriate. Maybe I’ll do more… still considering. I have to find the right buttons.

This is the cape. I made a hood for it, but I didn’t like how it looked. I think I will make some kind of hat instead. I am trying to figure out the feather trim placement. I wish I had more of it… hmmm. Also how and where to attach the bird beads for the “flock” element. I have 800 of these bird beads so it can be a large flock if I want!

I have 8 head and bodies done. Most are tagged with my pattern codes- so hard to keep things straight. I think I matched them up correctly. I have put the first coat of gesso on 5 of them.
These feel like money in the bank!

I am working on getting this poor thing some hair. I have described wig-making before but I will have to experiment with this project. I have an odd shaped piece of tibetan lambs wool left over from doing another doll. I am going to try to make it work. I never throw anything away!

I am working on a design change in my doll pattern- most of the dolls I’ve done so far have had what I think of as a shoulder plate- I was originally inspired by china head dolls. I hand-stitched the head and shoulders onto the body (after stuffing and needle-sculpting the head), adjusting the angle of the head which gave the doll some of it’s attitude.

I am now trying to machine stitch the head to the body at the point that the body and the neck meet.

Lots of other doll patterns do this. I tried it with Agnes. After the neck is sewed onto the body, I stuff everything- it seems harder so far. I guess I am trying it to see if I think it gives me more control and predictability. I am trying to make a baby right now- so pretty much no neck!

I am making the crowns out of pipe cleaners and beads and craft foam. The first thing I did was play with the pipe cleaners and beads, putting them together with floral tape. I am thinking this will be the evil queen, step-mother crown.

Here are all 5 crowns- I put some designs on them with dimensional fabric paint. This is my “spray booth”- outside in a cardboard box. Only one has the beads and wire attached at this point.

Here they all are- gold and very smelly.