Resting the needle pushing fingers has really done wonders. However,
It's become clear to me that sewing dolls completely by hand is now
a thing of the past! I still want to make dolls and enjoy hand sewing,
so I have compromised. I've spent a frustrating month working on 8
small (8 inch) simple Prairie dolls. Bodies and dresses sewn on the
machine, with an easy to handle amount of finishing hand sewing. To
make a long story short, the last dolly went together without removing
a single stitch or uttering a single curse word. They certainly aren't
my best work, but it's a start.
my best work, but it's a start.
I came across this sewing advice at
My experience with the dreaded machine is
more like this.....
Quilty Pleasures
I am going to Kansas City next weekend to help my friend who participates at Missouri Town 1855. She and her husband set up a small general store. I usually take a few dolls to add to her set up. Hopefully, I will get a good response, they are certainly the right dolls for the time period.
ReplyDeleteSherri, these little dolls are wonderful! They're dressed just right and have such sweet faces. I have to sew on the machine; I don't trust my hand sewing to stay put. I'm sure your dolls will get a good response. I understand about the fingers and having to limit the amount of hand sewing you do. This afternoon, as I sat quilting, the tremor in my left hand made the whole frame shake! Frustrating!! I'm not so sure about some of the advice from the manuals, but I do try to have the housework done before quilting.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed a slight shaking of my hands too, gee it's no fun to get older! I just have to accept my work will not have the same look or quality as hand sewing but, hopefully I will get better at machine sewing on such a small scale. I've been machine sewing for eons, but never really enjoyed it that much and stick with straight lines and a larger scale!
DeleteWhat a great post...inspired me and made me laugh! LOve, Love the girls...all of them are dressed so fine (even if you did plug in a bit)! And, for sure, I can well appreciate the final version of sewing advice! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou would really laugh if you saw what a disaster my sewing area is in. These little dolls created so much havoc for me, the laundry's piled up, I need to vacuum & the hubs has been eating a lot of sandwiches!
DeleteMy mother taught me to sew on her old treadle sewing machine but never taught my sisters. She said I was the only one that she could trust and took to it like a duck takes to water. I still love both machine and hand sewing. So funny reading the sewing advice. I think I have broken most of those rules especially about not combing my hair and working in my PJ's! I like your little Prairie dolls! I am sure you will get a good response to them.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 machines, one's a treadle, but I've never really enjoyed sewing on them. Tiny spaces are the worst for me, so I've always done them by hand, but I'm doing my best to adapt!
DeleteSuper fun post. I enjoyed every bit of it. You are a clever girl to put it all together. I want to tell you the little dolls are just precious. So cute at just 8 inches tall. that is tiny, so you did a great job on them. Sewing on the machine or some hand sewing, 8 dolls is a lot of work and so sweet too. I don't have much experience on the sewing machine so I can appreciate others work using a machine and hand stitching.People will love those little dolls. I enjoyed the post so much I will come back and read it several more times.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the simple prairie doll and from a distance they don't look too bad. The seams are a bit crooked but I got better by the 8th one! Glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteYour dolls are adorable and I am with out a doubt sure they would sell. Have a great time in Kansas City, that is where my husbands Aunt lives.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to my time in Kansas City. I will be visiting my nieces too. The newly renovated Toy and Miniature Museum is now open so I plan to stop and see the wonderful dolls
Deleteand dollhouses. I will try to take pictures for a post.
You've been "sew" busy. Your little 8" dolls are adorable and they look wonderful. Such find stitched faces. Hand sewing is nice, but the use of a sewing machine works wonders. I've seen that article on "Advice From A Singer Sewing Manual" but the new "Sewing Advice" fits the bill for today's ladies.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother would have given her eye teeth to have a modern fancy machine. Hand sewing was work to women of the past so the machine would have been a god send. Surely it will get easier for me with practice!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, can't wait to see your dolls in person. And no one will notice ANY crooked seams, seriously. Did a man write that advise! Holy Smokes! "Put on a clean dress" - what for? "sink of dirty dishes, beds unmade", who cares. "French chalk" never heard of it. My question is: if you follow these rules, will you sew better? Is so, there's no hope for me. Yikes! See you Thursday!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your dolls #1, LOVE your post , going to read it again and love your pictures .smiling here ear to ear ! Made my evening!
ReplyDeletemy daughter and granddaughter purchased a little doll from you at Missouri Town today. I am not sure which one was more delighted with the little dolly! Your dolls are precious.
ReplyDelete