"H" is finally fully clothed!

Yes, she is finished as a complete doll. Now whether or not she is done as an item ready to sell or not is uncertain. I'm either giving her a wardrobe OR I have another idea which I'll keep secret until I do it for her unveiling on The Humble Arts. Here are some smallish photos of her little ensemble. They will enlarge if you click on them.

Notice her coral colored little necklace? In my studying about Hitty, it seemed she wore a tiny coral beaded necklace, so I made her one. It is removable just like all of her clothing. Those buttons on her back bodice have hand crocheted button loops so you can undress her! If you or anyone else likes tiny dolls or Hitty, please let them know she will be available soon!!!
:0)

Overdosing on Hitty?

Seriously folks, there is way more in my life than this Hitty doll I keep posting about, but it seemed appropriate to have a log of how she is coming along since I call myself a doll maker after all! Since my last entry about her, I've sewn her a little dress. The fabric looks great on her and it is 99% finished. I am making it removable, which is an extra difficulty factor. Oh it'd be much easier and quicker if I just tacked the back closed with a few stitches and used glue on the sleeve hemlines like others suggest, but not this one. I've machine and hand sewn everything so far and I'm glad. Just makes it more authentic and what I consider "heirloom quality" for future generations. Honestly, I've spent more time on this extremely small doll than any large doll I've made in a long time. I just hope that someone really believes that good things really do come in small packages! As soon as her dress bodice has button loops created, I'll take photos to update her progress. Hopefully she'll make her debut in September on The Humble Arts website monthly update at the first of that month. Whew....til then!

Hitty's Underthings

Hitty now has a set of unders. (click the pic for a larger detailed image) I used a nice gauzy type of fabric that I got from Sage of Goldensage. Her pantaloons are very basic with a drawstring waist. The slip has a tiny pin tuck above some old lace that I sewed on the hemline. It covers her bottom half, but the top half will have to stay bare until I finish her little dress. I found a tiny print that should look nice on her. It is rather darkish with teensy little reddish spots.....you'll see when it's finished!

Well here's Hitty with traditional black shoes, white socks and red garters. Plus, I think her bug eyed look is slightly diminished. What do you think? I also got around to making her underclothes. She has a basic pair of pantaloons and a gathered slip with hand made lace from my basket of sewing treasures that I thought looked just right. Perhaps I'll post a photo of them tomorrow......right now I have yard work to do and need to do some more on my Ava Grace Angel project!

Hitty's Progress

She looks a little bit surprised....something in those bug eyes ya think? Gosh do ya know how hard it was to embroider that face???? I am not joking when I mean hard either. My eyes just aint what they used to be, so that didn't help at all. Well besides a tad of shading with pencils for her nose and cheekbones, her hair, eyes and mouth are embroidered totally. Remember, her face is actually flat. I aged her and next I'll be making her some clothing. I am fairly certain that her shoes will be painted or penciled on. She's such a tiny thing! More photos to come...
UPDATE: I'VE FIXED HER BUG EYED SURPRISED LOOK (I THINK?) NEXT PHOTO I POST I'D APPRECIATE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IF POSSIBLE, thanks!

Taking Shape!

Hitty is stuffed and jointed. She actually stands alone and sits too. I see how this little doll could be lots of fun. Very tedious doing the turning and fray check is a must! Myself, I used Fray Block cuz I'm hooked on that product...just love it. I think she'd make a great companion for a larger doll and for bears she'd be fantastic! I'm thinking of making her dress from a vintage hankie, unless I come across a really small print in my stash that catches my eye. We'll see!

Sizzlin' in Texas

Well sure enough, the weather people say we're in for the hottest temps of the year this week. Lucky us huh? 100+ with the heat index and no relief in sight. Looks like we'll have to spend all day at the pool or close all of the blinds and stay cool inside. I dunno what happened. I used to LOVE these really hot days, but somehow in the past 5 or so years I can't tolerate it like I used to. Don't say it!!! (I know I'm getting older)....sigh....
OK, so today I decided to start another doll project. This one was inspired by a fellow doll maker and friend of mine named Dixie. She makes wonderful Izannah Walker type dolls and is currently working on creating a replica of an original antique "Izzy" doll pattern now. I envy her as she was able to actually hold a real one from a doll shop near where she lives. You can read about it on her blog. Myself, I've only seen one through a glass case in KC at the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City, but it was the famous Miss Mary doll (photo on the left) complete with her trunk of delights and she was magnificent!!!! Back to what I'm starting - she will be a cloth Hitty doll. Very small in scale of what I normally create, so the challenge will be in the up close, intricate details of her body, face and clothing. I'm up for it, but not sure how she'll end up. This pattern is supposed to be an exact scale of an original wooden Hitty. (barely over 6") It is available here if you are interested: Make Your Own Fabric Hitty.
by Sara Degroat Cole.