Friday, May 28, 2010

Cage Skirt Doll- Final Touches

Final Touches...it is all in the details...
Details...that is what sets your doll apart. Many of you know that I am a big fan of Japanese design. In that design things are kept very clean and simple, but within that simplicity is the complexity of balance.

It is actually something that I strive for within my work- ask any of my students, the doll may look simple but there are very detailed techniques and thought that goes into each piece to make it beautifully balanced, clean and simple in design.

In this doll, I added special details that followed the design or shape of the costume. Just enough to enhance each piece designed but not to take over or detract from it.
I started with the edging of the tulle. It needed to be finished but delicately- like the fabric itself. I chose two threads- one an older silk thread and a hint of metallic thread. Normally I would not use an older thread to actually hold a piece together because the thread can be dry and break easily but for this case it worked and the older thread was just the perfect color!

Next came painting the cage. I used several different products. I love painted wood in metallic gold...I feel that it just enhances the wood but keeps it in the same warm tones of its natural state. I also used an antiquing liquid to age the and soften the brightness of the gold.
For simple embellishment I stamp "Love is all you Need" and sealed that with a matte finish. My final touch was adding a small trim around the base that I painted in the gold to depict a carved effect.


Now for the Crown...
I made several different sizes and styles...
not bad but just not quite right...

I didn't even bother to paint this one!

perfect and I added that same
vintage beading in the center section

Here are more details that I would like to point out to you.

A thin line of vintage trim with a bit of gold at the bodice edge,
the woven section with various textures of fabric,
and notice the elbow gusset with the
blue & creme cotton fabric as the lining.

A few more details of the glass matte beads for the joints

And the Final Piece



Thank you for joining me
on this Creative Journey!


Start by doing what's necessary;
then do what's possible;
and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Francis of Assisi

Friday, May 21, 2010

Cage Skirt Doll- Step 3

Costuming!
As we left this doll last week, I had completed her torso with head and jointed arms.
Now she needed a bodice. I wanted to incorporate a weaving technique, so I looked over my chosen fabrics...
...and picked out four- a linen, a batik cotton, and two velvets. Next, I cut those into strips and folded them to show finished edges. I wove two of the strips through horizontally. And then, I rolled over the top and bottom strips to form pretty loops and secured all with top-stitching.
Bodice on and body in place. At this point the doll was reading top heavy and needed something to ground her but light enough so the cage was still present.

I find that when my doll needs grounding and for the sake of design cannot use a heavy fabric, I find that volume can be used.
So I used this beautiful vintage dotted tulle.
I sewed two layers of skirts...still light and airy...
Just what she needed...
So I had the tulle on the bottom section and for balance decided to use it in an airy fashion framing her face...
...this framing brings the attention back to her face after the viewer takes in the entire piece.

My last sewing of the costume had to do with the heart that I suspended from the center of the cage. I had this fabulous fabric in my stash- not quite sure where it came from but I only had 1/4 yard- so that tells you something about it...the color and texture was perfect.
I inserted a vintage piece of metal cord and couched a vintage cording that looks like beads around the edge of the seam.


Next week~Final Touches.
Until then...

To reach something good
it is very useful to have gone astray,
and thus acquire experience.

S Teresa of Avila


Friday, May 14, 2010

Cage Skirt Doll- Step 2

I am excited to create this doll...I will be teaching it as a class in several locations over the next year(s)...

Looking over my fabrics, I decided to use the the burn-out velvet for the torso and upper arms or sleeves for this doll. I loved the vintage feel of this fabric and the subtle depths of the color- blue.

In designing this doll, I chose to "joint" the arms- as in the antique Santos. For the skin tones, I used this beautiful pima knit that I have (plenty in stock for my classes). Because both fabrics were sheer and somewhat delicate, I lined all pieces using a cotton batiste.

Here are the body are sewn and turned.

So, I stuffed and armatured all the pieces and jointed together the arms at the elbows and wrists.
Next, I overlayed the head with the pima and sewed little ears.

Doll in position-
checking for anatomy and fit onto the cage.


One of my favorite parts, was next, painting and coloring the face. I used craft paints and various chalks and pima colored pencils.


It always amazes me how a little color can create such a distinct personality!

Do you wish to be great?

Then begin by being.
Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric?
Think first about the foundations of humility.
The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.

S Augustine

Next week costuming!


Friday, May 7, 2010

Cage Skirt Doll- Step 1

Like many of you, I have always found a fascination with dolls and caged skirts...the skirt may be an old bird cage...something from metal... or maybe- wood, or a found object. They may vary from a simple Santos- style, to a Flemish dress form, to an altered piece with kitschy embellishments.

A Simple Santos

So...now it is my time to create a doll with a cage skirt.

I found a fantastic woodworker to make the wooden skirts for me. I have sculpted a face..and picked out my fabrics (which may change as this process evolves)...I have my basic concept of the costuming and I will be off and running...well- sewing.
my face sculpt- still drying

the beautifully-made wooden cage

my fabric choices
from vintage sheer, linens,cottons, to velvets
Note: I chose a blue palette related to the antique Santos to depict
peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, and trust.


So please join in and enjoy this process with me
for the month of May.
Each week I will will lead you through
this adventure of creativity...


A Little History of Santos Cage Dolls
Vintage Santos with covered skirt

Once upon a time found in Portugal and Spain, Santo(s) cage dolls were used in Catholic religious processions —frequently dressed in elaborate gowns and crowns. The cage body was traditionally used to display photographs and flowers to represent celebrations. For centuries, Santos figures have been a symbolic bridge between earth and heaven.

All things must come to the soul
from its roots, from where it is planted.

S. Teresa of Avila

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