Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls

Absolutely amazing book! Wish like heck I could attach a photo of my first doll from this book. It has several doll patterns and really, you should make them in order as each teaches a new / different technique. Lots of great information, little tips and tricks. Here are a few I have learned from my experience: 1. save cereal boxes. When you trace out your pattern pieces on tissue you can use a glue stick to mount them on the cardboard from the cereal boxes and not have to actually pay for poster board. More money to spend on fabric and hair and goodies. 2. This little darling [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DV913JO/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1] works great to fill with the fray check to get into the tight spaces in the hands and corners of the seam allowances you leave. 3. When you move on to trying to make more realistic dolls or character dolls, be very careful what type of hair you order. If you are order natural fiber such as mohair or angora, be sure it has been carded and you are ordering lengths of roving. My first doll I ordered hair and wasn't watching and totally missed the description. It was not carded and although washed and dyed nicely, it still had little bits and pieces of stray and "stuff" in it. Good hair costs so be aware and shop around. 4. Find a clear pressure foot for you sewing machine! it will save you tons in pain killers for the head ach you will have if you don't. I started out with a metal pressure foot and you just can't track the sewing line well enough. With a clear pressure foot and a lighter than usual pressure you should be able to track the stitch lines with no problem at all. Now, as to why I say this is great for a seamstress with a bit of experience... I have a niece that has absolutely no sewing experience at all. She saw the first doll and loved it and wanted me to teach her to make one for her little sister. I purchased another book of more basic dolls for her to start with and will be helping her make some simple projects first. Do not think that you can go out and just purchase a sewing machine, fabric and the book and just whip out a doll. It's just not going to happen and you will be bent and disappointed in the extreme. Practice a bit first with more basic projects / dolls first and then graduate up to something more detailed. :)

The first copy of this book that I bought was used, and the pattern section at the back of the book had been torn out. I had no choice but to buy a second copy in which the patterns were part of the book, rather than a supplement -- a cautionary tale for those of us who buy used books! That said, this book is enchanting. The author provides lists and photos of materials needed to complete the dolls, with very clear instructions and step-by-step color photos of doll construction, and helpful tips. The author employs very clever techniques: such as using rib knit for hair, free machine embroidering for fabric embellishment, and heat-treating polyester organza for special effects, as well as introducing specialty products such as Angelina heat-fused fibers to achieve a gossamer effect for wings. I love this book so much, that I bought a copy of Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls, also by Jan Horrox. Be aware that these dolls are NOT meant to be toys! I would recommend this book to everyone!

Met my expectations. Book was in excellent shape, delivered in a timely manner. Thank you!

Explicit easy to follow instructions!

This is a nice book, in full color. Instructions are clear. Give good supply lists, has full patterns for use. Tips on how to dye fabrics is good. Overall this is a good book. I am learning how to make more complicated dolls. This book helps me learn techniques I have not tried before. It is not as intricate as some books, but still has good explanations and very cute dolls.

Absolutely impressed with the book and the care taken with the packaging!! The book is in brand new condition and it was packaged so well!! There was no way it could have ever been damaged on it's way to me. It is in such perfect condition. I am so impressed. I thank the seller so much. I would surely buy from this seller again.

The book was in excellent condition and was shipped quickly. The book itself is wonderful. The author gives thorough lists and descriptions of everything needed to create these dolls. I really appreciated the photos of how to do the hand sewing from face sculpting to hands and feet to attaching the components, actually, every step is shown clearly in the photos as well as easy to follow written directions. This is a project my granddaughter and I are doing together. She is the painter, I am the seamstress. This is the most complex cloth doll I have ever attempted. The author's presentation inspires confidence, even in this beginner. I would like to thank her for writing this book.

I loved this book! I've been wanting to make cloth dolls for years but didn't know where to start. I don't have a sewing background and there aren't any doll-making classes near where I live. After having read the other reviews of this book, I decided to buy it. I have in my mind the type of dolls i want to make, and they aren't exactly the ones that are in this book. But that doesn't matter- when you are learning something new, you have to learn the basics, then you can apply your own techniques. I just needed to know the basics! I am so glad I bought this book, because I made my very first-ever doll! I still consider myself a newbie of course- I have so much more to learn, but I am on the path now, and that's all that matters. Highly recommend!

Hobby nähen aus dem buch einfach gemacht, man taucht einfach in eine ganz andere Welt ein auf jeden fall empfehlenswert

Arrived swiftly, very nice book for intermediate doll makers. Can't wait to start using it! Nice and easy patterns and really whimsy projects.

First of all, let me say that these dolls are NOT for children! They are for the satisfaction of those who make them and for the astonishment and awe of those who view the finished projects! I saw Jan Horrox at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace a couple of years ago, but couldn't get near her stand for interested people so I bought this book for myself from Amazon, read it, and then bought a copy for my friend. We decided that we would get together and start a new hobby, but it was over a year before we actually got down to it. However, we have now faithfully followed Ms Horrox's instructions and each have a very satisfactory doll which was great fun to make. We are also inspired to continue to make more. The instructions in the book are easy to follow (if you take the trouble to read them properly, which we didn't, resulting in a lot of unpicking!) and, before you know it, you've got a really lovely doll to show your friends, who will tell you how clever you are! Having started with the easiest one (which has a flat face and mitt hands), you will be inspired to graduate to the next stage with a sculpted face and hands with fingers. Good luck! Once on your way (if you are anything like my friend and me) you will be hooked and will have a absorbing new hobby. Ms Horrox's beautifully illustrated book gives very clear instructions that almost anyone can follow to make a very impressive doll and she also has a website with lots of information (and a shop) regarding supplies for doll-making and also patterns for dolls which don't appear in her book.

I wanted to buy Jan Horrox's Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls but after checking this book out from the library, I knew as a beginner I could never make them without buying this book too. So that's exactly what I did and glad I did so. Although Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls is thorough on making the specific dolls in that book and does provide some of the same information as this one to get you started, this book is far more detailed with respect to the materials and techniques she uses. The dolls in this book are beautiful. The craft is not a particularly easy one but one that requires much patience and practice. The patterns are very detailed. The faces and features are amazing. You need to purchase quite a few supplies to get started including special pigma pens, certain types of cloth, acrylic paint, artist spray,watercolour pencils, etc..So it is quite an investment if you decide to pursue it. Which I have.

Au début, des techniques:comment faire la tête et ses traits, comment faire les mains, les pieds,comment attacher la tête au corps, les membres sur le corps...c'est très détaillé avec des photos progressives et très utiles pour quelqu'un qui connaîtrait peu l'anglais.Ensuite, ii ya trois modèles à faire avec les patrons.C'est un guide idéal pour débuter.