Okay, so you’re thinking, they look the same as the last picture and it’s been 2 days! Well I’ve been working hard on these guys for the last 2 days, but they haven’t really been cooperating. I am having difficulty with shoes and sweaters… typical toddlers.
I have a fuzzy dark blue sweater that I thought would be perfect- I cut out a pinafore sort of thing- it just wasn’t working. Soooo, back to the stash- I pulled out another old sweater- this time a scottish cashmere, sort of icy green color, incredibly soft with only a few moth holes (yard sale- $2) and took it apart.

Here it is in pieces. I saved all the yarn that had chain stitched it together and reused it when I made my mini sweater. Below is the sweater in progress- I used the bottom ribbing (the part at the lower edge of the main body pieces) at the bottom of my sweater and also for the sleeve cuffs. I still need to put buttons on it.

Then there are the shoes… I am struggling here. The one pair I’ve made is not wanting to fit. I’ve resewn one shoe 3 times already. Time to start over… tomorrow.

While I was getting frustrated with difficult toddler dolls, I glued the wigs on, finished the edges on the jumpsuits, sewed on snaps and adjusted elastic- all the stuff that doesn’t really show in a picture. I am hoping to have these guys finished for the show on Saturday, so I have one more day.

I am working on these dolls at the same time… they are going to have the same basic costume. I’ve never worked this way before. I can switch parts around to see what works best. I made the pattern and the jumpsuits yesterday. This morning I was trying on hair.

I found this doll bench for sale (just 10 bucks!) as we were walking to a restaurant for dinner. Perfect for display.

and here it is, in use!

Everything is very raw at this point. I am remaking the black tutu since it doesn’t fall right. Hair is pinned on. Everything needs finishing. But I have found my direction with these 2 pretty quickly. Tomorrow shoes, and vest/ pinafore/ sweater whatever…

I can start working full time on these two dolls. Same head pattern… the differences are in the stuffing, the painting, and the arms and legs. It’s very cold in my studio- not much incentive to work.