Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures [Paperback]

Barbara Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2009

In this unique and beautiful book, beloved doll-designer Barbara Willis guides readers through various approaches to doll design and basic and advanced construction techniques. Through the creation of three complete step-by-step projects, readers will develop color boards, learn to use vintage images, create both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cloth dolls, learn sophisticated costuming techniques, and gain knowledge of elaborate soft sculpting. A gallery shares the inspirational work of several well-known doll artists who have created their own versions of each project. Complete patterns and templates are included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Willis, Barbara. Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures. Quarry: Quayside. 2009. c.128p. illus. ISBN 978-1-59253-513-2. pap. $24.99. FIBER CRAFTS

This guide to cloth-doll making provides step-by-step instruction from idea to creation, as well as a gallery of inspirational art pieces. A variety of design techniques are presented, especially for the dolls’ faces. While the designs are not for beginners, the photographs representing the best of the craft give beginners something to aspire to.  --Library Journal , August 2009

About the Author

Barbara Willis has been creating dolls and teaching nationally and internationally for over 30 years. She has been associated with the quilting industry, fiber guilds, embroidery guilds and clubs, International Quilt Market, The Knitting and Stitching Show (UK) doll clubs, and workshop events for all of her career. She has been featured and published in many magazines including Sew Beautiful, Cloth Dolls and Animals, Dolls Bears and Collectibles, Better Homes and Gardens, Dolls and many others over her career. She lives in Northern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592535135
• ISBN-13: 978-1592535132
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dolls have been central to my creative life for as long as I can remember.
Sharing the process is the cherry on top of the whip cream for me. I have had wonderful opportunities to share my doll making process in many places around the world. England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many of the US states have been host to my cloth doll workshops and much fun was shared and techniques taught.

Fabrics and textiles are central to my creative process and creating a cloth doll marries the two together in a very expressive and personal way. Collecting and gathering vintage ribbons, trims, buttons and embellishments are second only to actually designing a new doll.

I hope you will enjoy the process shared the Cloth Doll Artistry to make a doll and see what fun it is.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cloth Doll Artistry, May 26, 2009

By 

Judith D. Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures (Paperback)

This is one of the most beautiful books for the cloth doll artist. It is not only a feast for the creative eye, but the instructions and patterns are so easy to understand and follow. The photography of the dolls and color boards is absolutely stunning. If you are an experienced dollmaker or just a beginner this book is highly recommended.
I have this book and I give it five stars. You will not be disappointed, this book will become a treasure in your collection.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For all the different doll makers, this is a must have book in your personal library!, May 27, 2009

By 

Sara Rawlins "Sara" (Lawrenceville, Ga United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures (Paperback)

This is a well written book and the pictures are wonderful. The instructions are well thought out and are easy to follow with the pictures to guide you. The only thing that would make this an even more exceptional book, would to be able to actually touch all the fabulous fabrics and notions used on each doll. Each of the different artists that were given the assignment to make a doll from Barbara's patterns did a beautiful job on their dolls. This book is right up there with Patti Culea's and Susanna Oroyan's books as must have to any dollmaker's library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for all doll makers, June 2, 2009

By 

Laurie Scott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cloth Doll Artistry: Design and Costuming Techniques for Flat and Fully Sculpted Figures (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book for all levels of doll makers. The details for needle sculpting the face are the best I have seen and the costuming techniques are fantastic. It is always a delight and an inspiration for me to see how different doll makers interpret the same pattern and techniques.