Free Downloads We Make Dolls!: Top Dollmakers Share Their Secrets & Patterns
Making super-cute stitched dolls is a beloved tradition, and today it's more popular than ever! Here are some of the freshest new designs from 10 of the world's leading dollmakers. Along with the book's 23 projects--which feature full-size templates and include trendy plush creatures as well as sweet-faced human and animal forms--are profiles of the artists, including colorful pictures of their studios and explanations of their signature techniques. The international roster represents nations from the US and Mexico to Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Lark Crafts; 1 edition (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1454702494
ISBN-13: 978-1454702498
Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 8.2 x 10.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #387,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #203 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Toys & Models > Toymaking
I try to get all of my craft-type books from the library first to see if they are worth the purchase. I can say this one definitely is! I've had it checked out from the library for a month now, and I couldn't stop myself from ordering my own copy. There is wonderful variety in the book, and sooo many cute items. I'm a beginner, so I can't say how an advanced doll maker would feel about this book, but I find it inspiring and fun to look at. I've made the "Fleur" doll twice already- one for my sister and one for myself- and they both turned out absolutely adorable. I'm looking at making Red Riding Hood from Suse Bauer next.Now the bad. There is really only one bad thing I can say about it, and it is regarding the "patterns" from Ana Fernandes. There are three dolls listed for her, but you only get the pattern for ONE. You get a pattern for a girl doll, and for the dog and lamb she "gives you" you are told to use the same body as the girl doll and figure out the rest on your own (see my image in the gallery to see the lamb). For a beginner like me, making a template myself for the dog's head, ears, and clothes and the lamb's head, ears, and cape seems a little daunting. The lamb's head seems especially complicated to me as it uses a mixture of fabrics. I don't know if this was Ana's idea or the author/publisher, but it was not a smart one. If Ana only wanted to give us one pattern or the publisher only had room for her to give one, then they should have just listed one doll for her. But since they chose to list the puppy and lamb, why couldn't they just include the head and ears for them? After all, if I could make my own patterns I wouldn't need this book!So don't count on full patterns for 23 dolls, you get 21. I can't figure out why they did this- it's annoying. I still recommend this book, just know that 2 patterns are more or less missing.
Length: 3:50 Mins
This is my first doll book and a really cute one. There are many unique designs all with a featured artist. I really enjoyed reading about each artist. I have 2 issues with the book. I've made 1 doll, Estefania. On the pattern templates it said to cut 1 head piece but you need 2. The pictures of this doll make it really hard to see if you need a second head piece. While I was cutting it out and first sewing it together (with 1 head piece) I kept wondering how the hair would be sewing on at the neckline. It was a little frustrating. I've made a note in the book for future. I am still excited to make other dolls in this book.My other issue is there is no resource page. I would have loved to have had a couple of pages to learn more about where to find doll making supplies. I have a Hobby Lobby near me but...there's more out there. I know it. But where?
I have bought many dollmaking books written by some of the best doll artist around and I have to say that I feel this one ranks as one of the best I have had the pleasure to own in a long time. The doll artists are very popular and quite well known and I have been following their artist blogs for a long time so it's really nice to see the human side of these individuals and read their stories of why dollmaking inspires each and everyone of them. I recommend this book to all dollmakers and doll lovers as the quaility of this book recieves an A+++.
When I first stumbled on this book I knew I had to have it. It features so many of my favorite stuffed animal/doll artists (like Mimi Kirchner, I love her!). So far I've only tested out one or two patterns, but the directions where clear and easy to follow. I love the interview sections with each designer as well as all of the pictures of their studios or their works in progress along with their personal tips and tricks.This is a great book for someone who is just getting into stuffed animal/doll making as there are many different styles of stuffed animal/doll patterns most books are published by or feature only one individual so you will typically get only one style of pattern with basic variations. Whenever I am in a creative rut, I will flip through this book and remember how much I enjoy making stuffed animals/dolls and then will set off into a sewing frenzy.
I loved this book when I first got it. I was so excited to learn more about making dolls and stuffies in general. I personally don't like making other people's designs, so I wasn't concerned about the patterns. I did, however, want to learn better techniques to help me make my own patterns and dolls. I followed some tips from a few of the doll makers and went to work. I made a very kewl doll and am working out another doll pattern. So far the book has been very very helpful. The only drawback I see is the instructions are hard to follow with the pictures. I was going over a few techniques I wanted to learn and realized the main parts of the pattern were not illustrated. I kept finding myself saying "how'd they do that again?" I eventually figured it out, but not without some head scratching and realizing I'll have to mentally deconstruct the doll to see the problem solved. With that issue, I can only give the book 4 stars. But overall, it was a very good book with sweet designs and very inspiring, dedicated doll makers.
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