January is reserved for playing and puttering in my studio. I really look forward to this time of hibernation, without outside distractions. 31 days doesn’t seem long enough to make all of the things I’ve been dreaming about! So far, I’ve worked on simple projects that might take a few days, instead of months or seasons. I’ve already made several gifts, including a pair of Baby Buntings for twin 3 year-old girls. This post includes photos and 3 videos that show the process of making them.
The dolls are simpler than the figures with floss-wrapped arms and legs in my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk – New Adventures. The baby’s pipe cleaner body is padded and hidden inside a felt suit. Since the dolls would be played with by real children, I doubled up the pipe cleaners to make them extra sturdy. In the following video, you’ll see me forming the armature and covering it with wool batting.
The suits are made with naturally dyed wool felt and embroidered with fine wool tapestry yarn from my old stash. I’m sad to say that DMC discontinued selling the yarn years ago.
The following video shows me stitching the bunting yoke. To give an honest impression, I left in some clips that reveal snags, instead of editing them out. Maybe someday I’ll string all of the bloopers together!
I was was so engrossed with painting their faces that I forgot to take photos or videos. Their heads are made with 1′ wooden knobs (not beads), which are available here. Beads could be used as well. I just liked the size and flat bottom of the knobs.
The following video demonstrates how I attached the head, stitched the pointed hat, and formed the silk ribbon tie, which is a process I can’t describe in words.
These little dolls were so fun to make! They are now happily living with 3 year-old twins in Vermont. Stay tuned for future stories about more gifts I’ve made this month.
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SALLEY MAVOR 
Wow. I hope they will love these for a long time.
Thank you! I have followed you for years—purchased ‘flower fairy’ kits from you when my kids were young. (from an embroidery magazine, I think). ., My friend and I visited the exhibit of MY BED in La Conner—traveled several hours to ‘meet’ you at a bookshop in Portland, Oregon, etc, etc——For whatever reason, this group of videos hit home more than many of the others— Just: Thank You for sharing!! Eve
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Love your videos Sally, thank you for sharing with us!
Hello, Sally,
I have been enjoying your messages for a couple of years and wish I could get to see one of your gallery exhibits some day. I wanted to share that as a 10-11 year old my girlfriend and I were taught by a neighbor woman from England, Mrs. Pence, how to make dolls with an armature, wrapped with padding and then a “skin” was put on over that. She made them for clients using many themes and had quite a collection she kept for herself.
Who would be so kind as to teach kids of that age? But I did make several dolls over the years and made characters for the Laura Ingalls Wilder “Little House” stories. I was an elementary teacher and the children had a lot of fun pretending with them. I had made the “Little House” out of a box my father-in-law had made for my own children. I made “logs” of papier mache and constructed furniture and fireplace the same way. It was a fun thing to do for me and the school children.
Now I am almost 85 and still dream of making dolls. Paper dolls are fun, too, and seeing your twin bunting babies brought it back to me. Thanks for prodding my memories!
Kathy Hass
So terribly precious! You are so talented!!!!!
I have made about a dozen of your little people. Plus, I have made a tree, and flooring/grass, using French knots…..but my most favorite of all, is I made a sheep. Not to brag, but she is the most adorable little fuzzy animal I have ever made. I did French knots with yarn, until I could not make anymore (grin)…then covered my pipe clear sheep body with the French knot fabric. She is just adorable. Also, I am almost finished with a pipe cleaner Giraffe. She is a bit awkward, but I love her.
You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janice in northern Minnesota, near the Canadian border
Thank you for your very generous sharing of your amazing work. It is so very much appreciated. Marion.
M Wood
so cute!! thank you for sharing your work! I love your wee-folk book!