Customer Reviews

Dollmaking for the first time

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a thorough course in the basics of doll-making. I do think the title is a bit broad, since this covers the folk style of doll-making exclusively. The instructions and color photos are excellent.

The Doll Making Basics section is almost a complete course in itself. The techniques are general in nature, and could be used in designing your own dolls. Almost every page has multiple color photos that are very helpful. The directions for making a cloth doll illustrate in detail how to sculpt fingers, toes and faces. Next, the basics of making a wooden doll are shown. Hairdos, clothing, shoes and embellishments round out this section.

The crafts skills that you will use the most are sewing (hand and machine) and decorative painting. A big heaping of creativity and personality help out, too.

The projects are arranged in order of difficulty, and each doll is designed to teach a different aspect of doll-making -- using patterns, mixing wood & cloth, sculpting faces, adding a beard, making an ornament, painting methods, and more.

Due to the clear instructions and photos, and the emphasis on learning new crafts techniques, this is a reference book that you can use again and again. It's a great example of how craft techniques should be taught.

This is a beautiful book filled with photos, clear instructions and inspiration for making a personable first doll. Instructions guide one through the basics of making the dolls presented and the skills needed to move beyond. The range of dolls presented provides a jumping-off point for creatively making a doll of your own. I have dipped my fingers into doll-making for a long time but after reading this book, I am ready!

These dolls are not my style, but the lessons are good and progressive. I will apply them to other types of dolls. She even shows you how to make your own shoes to fit any dolls. One tip that she gives I disagree with; she makes fingered dolls by placing a folded pipe cleaner in each finger, which makes the hands look elongated. A more natural hand is made by making the hand then using small running stitches on the outside.

Doll making has been a creative passion of mine for years. This book gives many examples of different dolls to make. If you love doll making for yourself or for a gift you'll enjoy this book.

Excellent book. Explains all steps clearly. Very good. Would order again as a gift.