The Secret is out...

I've opened up a new Etsy shop. I make such a variety of things that my Waldorf doll shop isn't always the best place to showcase and sell. I love making clothing and quilts. When I'm quilting, I always think that that is all I ever want to do. When I am making dolls, I tell myself that that is all I want to ever make. So clearly I can't believe me. I like to sew. This much I know is true.
As I was listing my items this afternoon, a wrap pants set sold before I was even finished. I love that! So please take a peek and check back as I will be adding more over the next few days.
Here is a baby/throw quilt to get you started:

Anatomy of a Doll or How to look good naked

When I began making Waldorf Dolls, I had never seen one in real life. I wondered how other people stuffed the bodies and made the heads. Hair? Oh my! There are so many ways to give a doll a head of hair. Those pesky little stitches that hold the body together were another mystery as were the facial features. I had so many questions and no one to ask. This, of course, was before I was an internet user and the only computer I knew how to use was an ATM.
So my first dolls had soft, squishy heads and skimpily stuffed limbs. Their little faces always seemed to be looking to the right or the left. My dolls were made with love but not necessarily made to last. I kept at it and my handwork kept improving.
Normally my dolls are only seen fully dressed and ready to ship. A naked doll is rarely seen. Here are a few close up shots of a recent doll sans clothing and hair.


All ready for hair and clothes.


A sweet face ready for smooching


What am I hiding under the mohair wig? Some Frankenstein stitches.


Sweet Feet.


A little hand for holding.

I am always happy to answer doll making questions. Please feel free to ask.

I Have a Secret

More will be revealed soon. I promise.

Daisy-Head Mayzie

Poor Daisy-Head Mayzie. She has seen a number of dolls be created and sent off to their new homes, yet she sits and waits. Patiently. Is it the flower coming out of the top of her head that is scaring people off? It's just a headband. Really. It comes off and she is just a regular girl with a really great dress. I may have to make her a nightgown and put it in a little valise for her to take with her when her "real mom" finds her.
That's it. Off to make her a nightgown. I'll be right back.


Okay -- Here she is now.



She has a sweet summer strawberry nightgown, wee bud of a Moondrop and a sunny yellow valise. Ready to move in I'd say!

**News Flash** Miss Daisy is moving to Edmonds Wa. Just across the water from me.

I guess I'm not just a carrier.....

Every year we hear about the flu. Every year we hear about that "bug that's going around" and "sooo many people are laid up with it". Well my daughters and I have been able to sail through these times without so much as a sniffle.
Until now.
Cough, fever, headache, joint pain, lethargy, itchy eyes. I think I've had the flu! My days of being just a carrier may be over. So sad. Two of my 3 daughters are dabbling in it as well.
One of my general household rules has always been "we don't get sick". Once they turn eighteen they can cough, sneeze and hurl all they want. But until then they have stay well. Such rebels they are!
I am on the mend and have little bit of show and tell.


This is my Jolly Smock. Instead of being a pullover with an elastic neckline, I gathered and bound the neckline and added wooden heart buttons down the front. 2 rounded and gathered pockets on the front make room for the treasures a toddler gathers throughout the day. This set is a size 3 but, given the style, it can actually be worn by a child from sizes 2-4


There is a little treasure in one of the pockets. This set comes with a Toadstool Moondrop. The Japanese fabric is My Folklore Forest Friends and has squirrels and toadstools strewn about.


The pull-on linen shorts are almost knee length and have a gathered and bound hem. Loose fitting and comfortable.
This set is available on Venus Vanguard Thursday afternoon at 5pm (pacific time).

I will post a few more pictures of some eggs that Horton hatched. Yup! After that first one that took, what, a year? These six eggs were a breeze. Tune in for an update later on today......

Willow has found a home

Willow went to our Whidbey Island Waldorf school auction along with a Full Moon Baby set. I made a quilt and nightgown for her to take to her new home.

New Dolls and New ideas

For the first time since last October, I feel like I'm getting ahead of the wave instead of frantically swimming to catch up. It feels good. Here are a few dolls that have gone to their new homes in the past couple of weeks:




With just the pinafore and pants:









I have some Easter and Spring themed goodies in the works. There is even Modge Podge involved. Oh my!

Make a Felt Patch Lickety Split

I am always on the look out for a unique way to make simple doll clothes that are easy for a child to utilize. Taking a simple pattern and embellishing the outfit is a great way to make this happen. Making a fabric and wool felt patch is one fun and simple way to add a detail to not only doll clothes, but children's wear, handbags and anything else you can come up with.
Here is my quick and easy way to make a felt patch:

Assemble your ingredients:
Fabric with an image you would like to use
Wool felt (I use 100% wool but you can certainly use a blend)
Iron on adhesive
Pinking shears
Thread
Sewing machine
Iron



Cut a piece of iron on adhesive a bit larger than the image you would like on your patch. Iron this on the back of the fabric using the manufacturer's instructions.



On the paper backing, draw or trace your desired shape for the patch.



Cut the shape out. Peel off the paper backing and iron the fabric shape in place on the felt piece.



Cut the felt making certain to leave about 1/2" on all sides. I am doing 2 patches at once so I have left them connected at this point. This technique of satin stitch requires an applique foot. If you aren't certain which foot that is, look for a foot that has a groove cut out of the sole of the foot that is as wide as your widest zig-zag stitch. To begin set your sewing machine to straight stitch and stitch around the fabric about 1/16th of and inch away from the edge.



When you are back at the beginning, do not remove the patch from the machine. Set your machine to satin stitch (I use a pretty narrow one for a small patch like this one).
Continue around the patch a second time using the satin stitch. Remove from the machine. I like to leave long thread tails that I then pull to the back and tie off.
Next you are ready to cut around the patch, leaving a margin of felt exposed around the edge. I like to use pinking shears for this process.



Your Patch is done and ready to be put on your project. I am embellishing a pair of doll pants with these little tree frog patches. Pin in place. (Bonus tip--when making small items like doll clothes, iron the hems and casings before you sew any seams. This makes assembling the garment so much faster and eliminates the need to iron them in when they are no longer flat pieces of fabric).
Put your regular foot back on you machine and stitch next to the satin stitching using a straight stitch.



And Voila! Here is a sweet little outfit for a Moonchild Waldorf Doll.




Here is another one I did the other day.





I hope you have fun with this technique. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I am new at writing tutorials and any and all feedback is greatly appreciated

Enjoy!
xo Berrie

Some Dolls I Know

My goal is to document all of the full size dolls that I make. Some of them get boxed and shipped before I get the camera out. Here is a little guy that wasn't camera shy.


Here are a few other dolls I know. Olivia is my 16 year old daughter. She takes her own photos. All of her pictures are at arms length.



This is my 15 year old daughter Julia. A bit stylin' in this photo. She is a great cook and a fanatic about her felines.



This is a picture of my daughter Amber. She is sneakin' up on 27 really fast. She is an amazing artist and illustrator. She has recently taken up sewing as well. She is with her darling sisters Olivia and Julia. They all live at home and have me outnumbered.

Late Night Fun

This smock set has been begging to be made for some time now. I could deny it no longer. One late night and Voila! Jolly Smock!






The fabrics are a wonderfully soft, cotton woven stripe from Moda and 100% linen. The scarf is backed with a Ralph Lauren brushed viscose that feels like cashmere. I don't even know anyone this size so it is NO LONGER available here

Now back to my regularly scheduled sewing projects.