Having fun in London

I have been in England now since Dec 7th, firstly with my family, and now by myself! I have mostly been having a wonderful, engaging time. Whilst I was in Brisbane I found out about a short course being run by Central St Martins, called Vintage Fashion Dolls... it sounded right up my street! So I booked in to do it, only to receive an email saying that it had been cancelled. To cut a long story short, the teacher Rowena, ended up teaching me how to make the doll in her flat!

Her website is http://www.rowenalukeking.co.uk/

The doll is made from a curtain lining fabric (quite a heavy cotton), and she has a wire armature inside.

Her face is hand embroidered. This is one of my first attempts at embroidery. I think I've used a couching stitch for the eyebrows, and satin stitch for lips and eyes. I also embroidered on fingernails, toe nails, nipples (very difficult to choose the correct colour!), and pubic hair. I like the idea of her being a mini human. When I find some proper gold thread I'll give her a ring and some earrings.

I have used some needle scuplture on the face and body (another thing to get better at!). I used needlesculpture to enhance her bust, and give her back some definition, give her a belly button (not wholly successfully) as it's v.close to waist stitching, also used it for elbows and knees.

Her hair is made from wool fibre. I tried to give her a 40s fringe, and sortove victory rolls.

I'm currently working on the pattern for a 40s dress, from blocks which Roweana gave me.

Looking at this photo, I think I'm going to make her nipples a bit bigger!!