Handmade dolls

[Beeves]

Sculpted, cast, knitted, crocheted, sewn... I've been itching to make my own doll, but I'm not sure what to do or where to begin!

Can I see your own handmade dolls? How hard were they to make? Are there even handmade dolls here?

[DollyKim]

Paperclay and cloth body imitation 1830s styled "china head" from a Susan Sirkis Wishbooklet design. Stands about a foot tall.

Start with thinking about the skills you have or want to learn, what sort of budget and hobby time you might have, what size doll you want.

[Tam I am]

I made the little teal one, my friend AutobotDen made the bigger one. Sometimes the braided ones or other simple types are the best start.

[DollyKim]

Good job! Do you want to do more string wrapping or branch off in to something more complicated?

[Tam I am]

Is that question for me, DollyKim?

[DollyKim]

Maybe. Sometimes I forget who's posted what. You're welcome to answer if you want.

[Tam I am]

XD I'm the one that posted the picture of the yarn dolls.

My braided dolls are pretty complex, because I make them so nothing falls off or comes undone or gets squished. I think I'll always be mainly working with yarn or string when it comes to dollmaking, because I also crochet dolls sometimes. I tend to go for small, featureless ones that are made to be held instead of looked at, because I've found that comfort dolls can help a lot of people with a lot of different things, even if they're just something to fidget with at work.

[Dark Angel]

Over ten years ago I made one out of clay... It was bad... LOL! So no pictures. XD

[DollyKim]

Crochet dolls, same base Annie's Attic fashion doll pattern but the half size one was given a pillow form instead of legs. The big one is Barbie size done with size 10 crochet thread, the little one was done in size 20.

[Tam I am]

Oh, I like those crochet dolls! And now I'm remembering the ones I used to make from an adapted alien pattern. I was a crazy kid, and gave them real toes and fingers and everything. But I was trying to do faces, and I don't think any turned out well.