❤ 2/24/2024 ~ I’ve been putting together class books for two new students, and also made 2 extra copies. If you have been wanting to take the class this is a great time to get immediate shipping on the class materials and a chance to start your Izannah Walker dollmaking journey at the same time as a few other fellow students. Online support for this class in a private Facebook group is included as part of the class.
Visit my main website A Sweet Remembrance to order.
Fun project ideas using my cut and stitch fabric doll panels ❤
I’ve always been very fond of all of the printed cut and sew dolls from the late 19th & early 20th century eras. Here are my versions! They are a combination of printed cloth dolls and photos of some of the antique dolls in my collection.
Most of my printed dolls are 8-1/2 inches tall. Though there are a few exceptions. Each doll panel that you buy includes two mirrored doll images, so that you can sew them together back to back, or use them separately with a plain fabric backing, or for applique work. The dolls are printed on high quality 100% cotton fabric and are completely washable. There is extra fabric surrounding each doll that will allow for a ¼ inch seam allowance. The dolls may be sewn with right sides together, turned and stuffed, machine stitched from the front side, trimmed and stuffed, or appliqued onto other projects. They may also be cut out and used for journaling and other multi-media projects. Add bits of fabric, lace, crepe paper and Dresden trims to create doll clothing.
– Sew back to back for Christmas ornaments, so the “front” side is always on view.
– String together into a banner to hang across mirrors, windows or mantles.
– Hang individually from cupboard doors or chandeliers.
– Make into a mobile.
– Stuff with lavender and use as drawer and closet sachets for your finest linens and clothing.
– Fill with cedar shavings and place among your doll and bear collection to repel moths.
– Special party favors for your doll club meetings and events.
– Make into a special doll’s doll for your favorite plaything.
– Baby toys.
– Add a squeaker inside to make a fun dog toy or fill with catnip for your kitten to play with.
– Applique’ onto quilt blocks, pincushions, curtains, aprons, pockets, baby bibs and clothing, tote bags, t-shirts and more.
Priced individually or discounted if ordered in groups.
FABRIC PANELS WILL LEAVE MY STUDIO IN APPROXIMATELY 7 – 10 DAYS. THEY ARE SHIPPED VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL, so please allow adequate time for them to arrive. Thank you ❤
Remember this? I invited you all to email me a short birthday message along with a photograph of your Izannah Walker doll – antique originals, reproduction dolls that I have made for you, or a doll that you have made yourself in tribute to Izannah’s dolls!
I hope you will enjoy looking through these heartfelt birthday greetings as much as I have!
Everyone who sent in a birthday message had their name put into a hat. The dolls and I shook up all the names and drew out one first place winner, who will receive a special package full of birthday goodies, and two runners up, who will be sent party favors! … and the winners are –
1st Prize – Linnie N.!
Party Favors – Tricia S. and Liz Holmes!
I added a Special Makers Award, so both Charlotte and Susie are getting prizes just because their birthday greetings took so much time and effort on their part! ❤
You may click on any photograph to enlarge it and read the birthday greetings ❤
Young girl with Izannah Walker doll. ca 1863
Young girl with Izannah Walker doll by Paula Walton, ca 2017
“TIMELESS”
“Happy Birthday, Izannah Walker,” and
“Thank You, Paula Walton!”
From Mary & Pauline “Here is Miss Pauline wishing a great big birthday wish to her maker!”
Here is Miss Pauline wishing a great big birthday wish to her maker. Mary (you’ll want to click to enlarge these, Miss Pauline is a lovely original Izannah Walker doll ❤ )
Happy Birthday Izannah!
Many years separate us but you are such an inspiration to so many. Happy Birthday Izannah. Judith Jaques
Many years separate us but you are such an inspiration to so many. Happy Birthday Izannah. Judith Jaques
HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY IZANNAH WALKER!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!! LIZ HOLMES
Happy Birthday Izannah Walker 200 yrs.! Linnie N.
Happy Birthday Izannah Walker 200 yrs. Linnie N.
Izannah Walker dolls are the embodiment of home comfort and tranquility, they remember the warmth of children’s hands. Such dolls were made for the game and remember the faces of little girls from distant times. Besides dolls, I really love cats. This is my passion too. A cat is a symbol of a home. And I wanted to make a doll in the shape of a cat and with the character of Izannah Walker dolls. So my cat-doll is so important to me. It’s this doll I dedicate to Izannah Frankford Walker. I also want to say a big thank you from all my heart for your classes, for your support and help. Svetlana
This doll I dedicate to Izannah Frankford Walker. Svetlana
Happy 200th birthday Izannah Walker! What joy your dolls have brought to all of us! Billie A.
Happy 200th birthday Izannah Walker! What joy your dolls have brought to all of us! Billie A.
Happy 200th birthday Izannah Walker! What joy your dolls have brought to all of us!
Billie A.
Dear Izannah, I have your birthday cake on the table and an empty seat waiting for you to arrive at your party! Happy 200th Birthday! Judy M.
Ada , on the left , and Pearl send Birthday Greetings to Izannah, both of my wonderful dolls made by Paula Walton! Marilyn Brown
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale
A Birthday Tale:
A Birthday Tale
Charlotte’s Birthday Tale:
1.) Liberty has some news to share with Savannah and Annabel.
2.) Savannah seats herself on the settee while Annabel jumps up and down with excitement
3.) Liberty announces that a close relative has lost her parents in a tragic situation and must come live with them as she no longer has a home. She tells Annabel that she’s younger than her and that Annabel will have the responsibility of making their new sister at home because now Annabel will be like Savannah and herself – a big sister.
4.) Annabel ponders this over and over in her mind. No longer the little sister? I’ll be a big sister?
5.) Annabel protests this new information and asks why do things have to change? Aren’t they happy together as 3 sisters? Why a 4th.?
6.) Savannah tries to explain this to her woolly headed little sister, but gives up and sighs!
7.) Annabel runs over to her favourite chair and sobs her little heart out. Why can’t she stay the youngest? Who could Savannah and Liberty love that much. Now she’d
have share her room and clothes… She was having none of it…
8.) In walks a guest…
9.) She curtsies and says she is the relative that had sent a message ahead to announce her arrival and hopes she hasn’t interrupted their afternoon tea.
10.) Savannah and Annabel get up and curtsy.
11.) Annabel’s curiosity gets the better of her and she shyly introduces herself to the newest member of the household.
12.) Annabel couldn’t believe that this finely dressed, sweet little girl was going to live with them. She was instantly smitten with a motherly affection and wished to make newcomer feel at home. How could she have doubted Liberty’s wisdom.
13.) “What is your name”, Annabel inquired.
14.) The shy little girl whispered, “Patience”
15.) We are so glad you’re here and welcome to our home” said Annabel
16.) Annabel immediately asked Patience to sit down and join them for tea.
17.) Patience appeared to all the most modest and well bred little lady. (Annabel couldn’t wait till she and Patience would be alone, to ask Patience if she could try on her clothes.)
18.) As soon as they sat at the tea table, they noticed Patience was tired from her long journey as she soon let down her guard and slumped sleepily in her seat.
19.) To aid Patience and to help make her feel at home, Annabel immediately imitated her posture.
20.) Liberty walked into the room with a lit Birthday cake. “Make a wish, Patience. It’s your birthday and we are so happy to have you become a part of our family”.
21.) Patience looked at everyone and then stared at the cake. What to wish for? “A family to love me”, she thought to herself. ” Will I be able to stay?”
22.) After they sang – as if everyone was reading her mind, Liberty turned to Patience and said, “Welcome home, Patience. You are part of us now. We will always be four sisters now.”
23.) Patience felt like she was dreaming. Really, a forever home!
24.) She held her head up high and whispered, I’m home.
25.) Annabel looked fondly at Patience and thought about all the fun and mischief they would get into… it is going to be Great being a big sister!
26.) The End.
Happy 200th. Birthday Izannah Walker!
This is Lila Rose who is named after the real Lila pictured below. Lila was my cloth doll mentor and I purchased this IW from Lila. She came with the hand made collar and pin, extra gifts from my sweet friend. Lila Rose and I live in Mexico and she is a good traveler. We send our greetings for a fantastic birthday remembrance of Izannah.
This is Lila Rose who is named after the real Lila pictured below. Lila was my cloth doll mentor and I purchased this IW from Lila. She came with the hand made collar and pin, extra gifts from my sweet friend.
Lila Rose and I live in Mexico and she is a good traveler.
We send our greetings for a fantastic birthday remembrance of Izannah.
This is the sweet girl you made just about a year ago. As you can see, her name is Edith Ann (for my second great-grandmother who would have been of an age to have an Izannah doll). I’m so happy she’s come to live at my house in Southeastern Connecticut! The Izannah dolls have been a source of great fascination for me and I’m grateful for your efforts to continue the story! Happy Birthday, Izannah Walker!
Hi Paula, I am sending you a picture of my IW doll you made special for me. I cross stitched her name & year. I can not tell you how much I love this doll you made for me. Thank you for doing this Birthday bash. Looking forward to viewing all the pictures.
Hi Paula,
I am sending you a picture of my IW doll you made special for me. I cross stitched her name & year. I can not tell you how much I love this doll you made for me.
Thank you for doing this Birthday bash. Looking forward to viewing all the pictures.
Annabelle May is sending greetings to you Paula, and all Izannah’s wherever they may be! She is dreaming of all the girls that have been made since the birth of Izannah Walker in 1817. She is in a very contemplative mode today, she would like to give all Izannah’s and their mammon’s a big hug to celebrate the 200th anniversary of their creators birth.
Annabelle May is sending greetings to you Paula, and all Izannah’s wherever they may be!
She is dreaming of all the girls that have been made since the birth of Izannah Walker in 1817. She is in a very contemplative mode today, she would like to give all Izannah’s and their mammon’s a big hug to celebrate the 200th anniversary of their creators birth.
Dear Paula, Thank you very much for my beautiful new blue clothes. They are easy to get into, so I can dress myself, and are very comfortable, but the best thing of all is the pocket — I’ve never had a pocket before. It is ever so clever for keeping one’s prized possessions close at hand.
A spring bouquet of tiny native orchids from my garden for Izannah to enjoy with her celebrations. No doubt all the little Izannahs are anticipating a wonderful day. I look forward to enjoying it with them. Susan
Dear Izannah: Happy Happy Birthday. May it be a day filled with joy, laughter and rays of sunshine. I am having trouble chosing a dress to wear . Please save a crumb of your cake for me. Oh yes, my sister Elizabeth (she is much older than me) wishes to send greetings also. With much love, Mayla
Dear Izannah: Happy Happy Birthday. May it be a day filled with joy, laughter and rays of sunshine. I am having trouble choosing a dress to wear . Please save a crumb of your cake for me. Oh yes, my sister Elizabeth (she is much older than me) wishes to send greetings also.
With much love, Mayla
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Dear Izannah, Congratulations on the 200th anniversary! We send you hugs and love from Russia!
Dear Izannah, Congratulations on the 200th anniversary! We send you hugs and love from Russia!
200 year greetings,
from a far distant land,
to a talented lady
who made dolls by hand.
Thank you Izannah
for your iconic toy,
recreating it’s likeness,
has brought nothing but joy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
My sincere thanks to all of you who participated in my birthday greetings project!!! I had so much fun putting this together and I hope everyone reading this has enjoyed it to!
Come back to visit here on www.izannahwalker.com today at 10:00, 2:00 – when my latest reproduction dolls will be posted, 4:00 & 6:00 Eastern Time for the rest of today’s festivities. ❤
You still have time to email me your Birthday Greetings! Send them to paula@asweetremembrance.com. Everyone who sends is a Izannah Walker 200th Birthday Message and photo will be entered in a drawing to win a special birthday present of Izannah Walker themed goodies ❤
As I’m sure almost all of you reading this know, September 25th will mark the 200th anniversary of the day Izannah Walker was born. As a fun way to celebrate the occasion I would like to invite you all to email me a short birthday message along with a photograph of your Izannah Walker doll, whether it is an antique original, a reproduction doll that I have made for you, or a doll that you have made yourself in tribute to Izannah’s dolls!
Birthday messages… ❤
I’m posting this early so that everyone who is interested in participating will have plenty of time to coax their dolls into posing for photos. Please send your photo and birthday greeting to paula@asweetremembrance.comno later than September 18th. I will post all of the photos and their accompanying messages here on my Izananh Walker Journal as part of my annual Izannah Walker birthday celebration.
Isabeau hopes that some of her dear friends will send birthday greetings to celebrate Izannah Walker’s 200th birthday.
My dolls and I are very much looking forward to hearing from you and getting a chance to see what some of our absent friends have been up to lately. ❤ ❤ ❤
The final leg of Izzybelle’s Texas adventure was our visit to Fredricksberg. After we left the UFDC convention we headed for the hills! (the Texas Hill Country) Izzybelle and Ismay were very excited because they knew that they were going to get to visit all of the dolls that belong to Edith O’Neil during this part of our journey.
Our first stop after leaving the convention was Wildseed Farms to look at the gardens and buy wild flower seeds. I’ve been buying from them for almost 30 years, so it was fun to see where all the seeds have been coming from.
Butterflies!
Chicken fried steak 🙂
This is the tiny little Sunday house we stayed in. It’s known as the Metzger House. From the late 19th century through the 1920’s local farm families had small houses in town so that they could come into town on Saturday to sell their produce, do their marketing, and attend church on Sunday morning. After dinner on Sunday they would head back to their farms.
Metzer house kitchen.
Metzger Sunday house living room.
Me, enjoying the porch swing at the Metzger house.
After checking in to our own personal B&B we went to visit my friend Edyth O’Neil and deliver the doll she bought from me on Saturday at the convention.
Ismay got to visit with Edyth’s dolls, which are amazing! You can see her sitting in the little chair on the bottom shelf.
It was really nice to be able to see two of the dolls I’ve made, that Edyth owns, again (the one in the green and red dress sitting on the bench and the one in the apron standing behind the bench). On the left hand side of the picture is a boy doll made by Jan Conwell and the tallest doll in the back is one of Edyth’s antique papier-mache dolls. The tiny doll that is laying on the bench was also made by Jan Conwell and painted by Edyth.
Edyth has created a magnificent large scale doll’s house out of one of her hall closets! I’d do the same thing in a flash if only I had closets 🙂
The lower level of Edyth’s doll house.
Edyth showed us the amazing hooked rug that she is currently working on.
This outstanding rug hangs over the mantle in Edyth’s living room.
Brian relaxed and chatted with us, while Edyth and I played with all the dolls!
Two papier-mache dolls and a Martha Chase doll, that Edyth repainted.
Edyth owns an amazing collection of papier-mache and china dolls, all of whom are beautifully dressed and artfully displayed.
Edyth’s husband bought her this wonderful portrait because it looks like a Martha Chase doll.
Izzybelle and Ismay are fast friends with Hannah, Edyth’s antique Izannah Walker doll.
Ismay loved trying out this early doll carriage. She said it was very comfortable and just her size!
After a nice long visit between us…
… and the dolls, it was time to go.
Edyth recommended a fabulous Mexican restaurant.
Another tiny Sunday house, this one made of limestone.
I love this horse that lives outside of a great restaurant on Fredricksberg’s main street.
German food for our last night, to celebrate Fredricksberg’s heritage.
We said good-bye to the Metzger house and Fredricksberg as we left for the airport on Tuesday morning at 3 a.m.
If you loved getting a glimpse of Edyth’s doll collection, you can read about her dolls in much more detail on her blog. Edyth’s fantastic book on rug hooking, Rugs for My Red Cape is out of print, but you can still get a pdf copy from her for what I consider to be a very modest amount for such a great book. If you are not a rug hooker, you’ll want this book anyway – just for the gorgeous photographs of the papier-mache dolls and the 18th century Connecticut cape that Edyth and her husband, Jack, moved and rebuilt in Texas! Also be sure to look for the in depth article that Early American Life will be publishing about Edyth’s home sometime during the next year. I’m sure it will be wonderful and I know the photography will be outstanding!
I hope you enjoyed joining Izzybelle and me for our travels through Texas!!! We wish you could have come too ❤
Now that I have finally managed to get my Izannah Reproduction Doll Making Class launched, I have time to indulge in the luxury of simply making dolls. What a treat!
Last week I started working on two reproduction Izannahs, one with bare feet and the other with booted feet. So far, so good. I love the way they are turning out. I’m thinking of painting one of them as a black doll. It must be a good plan because I was able to go up to the attic and find my stash of nubby black lambskin in less than five minutes. That’s always an auspicious sign. It sometimes takes me hours and hours to locate things up there!
I’ve considered making the other into a boy doll, but I probably won’t because I have a fantastic piece of antique floral printed fabric that would make a perfect dress. Boy dolls may have to wait until I can get my hands on a really great piece of plaid…
Sharing is a beautiful thing! If you would like to share photos of your antique Izannah Walker dolls or your newly made Izannah inspired dolls, I would love to post them here for everyone to oooh and aaah over. I would also just love to see photos of any doll dress (petticoat, chemise, etc.) that you have made using my Izannah Walker Doll Clothes Pattern. It’s always so neat to see the way different seamstresses will interpret a pattern and marvel at the way different fabrics and notions change the look of a dress. You can send photos that you would like me to post to Paula@asweetremembrance.com. Please include your name and your website and/or blog, if you have one that features your work.
I would also welcome your input on what you would like to see included in my upcoming Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Class by Mail. I’m still in the midst of writing up the instructions, so if there is something that you have always wondered about concerning Izannah Walker dolls, feel free to reply to this post and tell me what your question is. I’ll try to cover the answer in my class instructions.
Of course, if you run into any questions at all or think of something else you’d like to know when you are in the midst of taking the class, you can always ask me then too. Unlimited telephone and email support is included in the class.
Are you as stunned as I am that Thanksgiving is on Thursday and that Christmas is only 33 days away? This year has just flown by. Last December, just after Christmas, I started this blog (www.izannahwalker.com) to give dollmakers additional information about using my Izannah Walker Doll clothes pattern and to chronicle my adventures while working on a set of patterns and instructions for a class on Izannah Walker Reproduction Dolls. It’s been a crazy year and I haven’t gotten as many blog posts up as I would have liked, but I have made quite a bit of progress on my pattern drafting and instructions. This is a project that has been in the planning stages for five years, so I am quite thrilled to be able to say that I am finally close to completion.
Normally I would just wait until the class was ready to go before putting out any type of announcement. However something happened last week that made me change my mind. I received several orders for Spun Cotton Ornament Classes that people happened to mention were Christmas presents. Every year, quite a few husbands buy the classes for their wives. I suddenly realized that maybe some of you, who have been waiting patiently for me to finish the class, might want to put it on your Christmas List this year.
So I am announcing the class now for February release and taking preorders. In order to stretch Santa’s shopping dollars a bit further, preorders placed before January 1st will receive a special 10% off deal. I’m sending out very special sweet certificates and vintage Izannah postcards (while my supply lasts) with each pre-January 1 early bird purchase, so that Santa has something to wrap or slip into your Christmas stocking. (Sorry, but this part of the offer has now expired.)
For those of you who aren’t dollmakers, I also have some wonderful new items about which you might want to drop hints to Santa. They will be up on my website in the next couple of weeks and will include new teddies, an adorable sock monkey, a C.W. Parker c. 1930 carousel horse and some very intriguing Victorian folk art wool balls.
Best wishes to all of you and yours for a truly bountiful and memorable Thanksgiving!
Please scroll down to read details about my Izannah Walker Dollmaking Class.
Paula
Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Class by Mail Pre-Order Offer
To the best of my knowledge, this is the only comprehensive tutorial on how to make an authentic Izannah Walker reproduction doll and her clothing. I based this class on Izannah Walker’s original patent and drafted my doll and clothing patterns from two dolls I own that were made by Izannah Walker.
This is not a corner-cutting compromise approach, yet if you know how to sew, sculpt and paint and are willing to invest the time, you could end up with the best reproduction Izannah Walker doll in existence!
What is included in the class:
Booklet full of step-by-step instructions with numerous detailed photographs
Patterns for doll body and one complete set of clothing (dress, two petticoats, chemise, drawers)
Detailed instructions for sculpting head and shoulder plate with accurate measurements taken from my antique Izannah Walker dolls
Mold-making instructions
Paint swatches and formulas to match colors from original Izannah Walker dolls
Painting instructions
Source list for all required materials
Additional instructions for those wanting to take a short-cut approach
Lifetime question and answer support at no additional charge
Additional information provided via my Izannah Walker-themed blog, izannahwalker.com.
An optional material kit is also available at an additional charge. It includes historically-correct fabrics, antique notions (buttons and lace) and stuffing, enough to make one complete, fully-dressed doll. You will still need your own sculpting, mold-making and painting supplies.
Why this class is ideal for serious doll-makers
With the detailed instruction booklet, you don’t have to be connected to the internet or be limited to working in front of your television screen.
The open instruction book will lay flat on your work table
You can make notes right in your booklet as a permanent record
The instructions are infinitely reusable
Why should you buy from me?
Experience
Dollmaker for 24 years
Author of numerous magazine articles on dolls and doll-making
Free-lance designer for national craft publications
Restoration artist of antique dolls, bears and textiles
Izannah Walker doll owner
Patterns are drafted and sculpting measurements directly taken from two original dolls plus extra original Izannah Walker clothing
Proven instructor
Teaches at nationally-known arts and crafts schools including stints as artisan-in-residence
Consistently highly-rated by students for knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement
Sold hundreds of patterns and Spun Cotton Ornament class kits via mail and supported these satisfied customers for many years
Historical expert
Nationally-recognized historical artisan
Early American Life top traditional craftsman 21 times in nine years, including clothing and accessories, textiles and needlework, toys and dolls categories
Museum director and curator
Availability and pricing
To take this class in person, it would be a five-day session, with a cost of $700 for tuition and all materials, not to mention your travel expenses.
The regular price of this class will be $250. The optional material kit may be ordered for an additional $115. 75.
Take advantage of this special pre-order offer:
Early ordering is now available at 10 percent off the regular prices above.
Pay a deposit of 25 percent of the discounted price now with the balance due upon shipment. This deposit is non-refundable.
Special pre-order certificate for gift-giving provided (see paper doll below)
Free vintage Izannah postcard (while supplies last – see below)
(While orders are still being taken, the above special offer has now expired.)
The above offer will be good through January 1, 2010 only. After that date, pre-orders will still be taken, but will be at full price and may not ship on the initial release date of end of February.
In addition to the 10 percent savings, a benefit in buying now is that you will be assured of being in the first group to receive your class when they are ready. As with all my products, the Izannah Walker Doll Class by Mail includes free shipping.
All sales are final. Returns are not accepted. The doll pattern is not for sale separately, nor would it be possible to reproduce the doll without the rest of the class.
To place your order, go to the classes section of my website, asweetrembrance.com.
Another benefit for early-bird buyers
During 2010, I plan to offer additional clothing patterns drafted from items of original Izannah Walker doll clothing from my collection. Those who pre-order the class prior to January 1, 2010 will receive the same 10 percent off on every new Izannah Walker doll clothing pattern I release in this coming year during their first month of availability.
Watch for the announcements and your special limited-time ordering instructions!
For professional doll artists
Dollmakers who sell their works may sell a limited number of dolls made from the patterns included in this class as long as the dolls and advertising materials clearly credit Paula Walton/A Sweet Remembrance for the patterns and techniques used to make them.
Izannah Walker Journal 