Paula Walton’s doll-making notes
Recently I have been working on a number of custom order dolls so I haven’t had many new dolls to post for sale. Because I normally work on several dolls at once, during some parts of the construction process, I have two dolls that are partially finished.
I still have one more custom order doll to complete, but if you would like a sneak peek at the two other dolls that are currently coming to life in my studio, just email me 🙂 at paula@asweetremembrance.com .
Charlotte’s doll is almost ready to begin her journey to her new home. She’s just waiting for her pedicure to dry 🙂 It’s raining here , which is glorious for the flowers but not so wonderful for drying varnish! So she currently is resting with her feet up, luxuriating in the cool breeze from a fan.
I’m almost finished with the doll I’m making for Anne Marie. I’ve just put the last stitches in her dress and now all I have left to do is the hand stitching on her underwear. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay awake long enough to get it done tonight 🙂
I’ve just finished the doll that I have been making for Denise. Here are some of the photos that I have taken to remember her by.
Click on any of the smaller photos to enlarge. If you are using Firefox you can also zoom in by pressing Ctrl and + .
Post script 
I’ve just received the most lovely note from Denise, which I am sharing so that I can say how very special my customers are and how happy it makes me to create my dolls for them. I am truly blessed.
“Thank you so much, Paula!! My doll is home, and just wonderful in every way! I love how you did her dress with chemise peeking out, her shoes, her curls, everything. You must be the incarnation of Izannah! I’m so happy to have her, and thank you again.
It is snowing today, our first measurable snow this winter. A surprising, heavy snow managed to sneak in during the midst of autumn this year, well before the winter solstice, but that doesn’t really count.
It feels only fitting and proper that I am surrounded by white, both indoors and out, as I work on creating an all white wardrobe for one of my Izannahs. She is quite anxious to be off to her new home and is sitting patiently next to my sewing machine, urging me to hurry and finish so that she can begin her travels…
This week I’ve had to say good-bye to two of my dolls that have been on lay-away. I feel just like a mom who is sending her child off to kindergarten. Sad to see them go, but happy that they are growing up and venturing out in the world.
The doll that left here on Tuesday has already reached her new home and I have heard that she is busy making new friends over tea and gingerbread. You can see a glimpse of her welcome home tea party here. She is happy living among friends, including a doll made by Margie Herrera, who makes lovely dolls and is one of the students in my Izannah class 🙂
My second young traveler is all packed and waiting for the postman to escort her on her way tomorrow.
In these final few hours of 2011 I would like to take a moment to thank you all for making this a wonderful year. I am extremely fortunate to be able to spend my days recreating dolls, clothing, and other treasured flights of fancy from the past. I sincerely appreciate all of you who have provided such unstinting encouragement and kind words. Your notes and phone calls have meant more to me than I can say…
I’d like to share a few excerpts from the correspondence that I have received this year which has touched my heart.
From C. “I am so thrilled to have found your website and to be able to realize a dream I have had for many years! I really appreciate all the time and care you take in just making sure someone feels comfortable in the ordering and purchasing process! Thank you so much!!” C. – I have loved discussing fabrics and dress styles with you… we are kindred spirits. Working on your doll will be a joy!
“Hi! Paula! The class workbook arrived about two weeks ago and to say that I was impressed and excited would be to put it mildly… I just can’t believe that I found you and am going to be making my very own Izannah doll. ” D. D. – your enthusiasm, energy and goodwill shine in every note you’ve sent.
“Hello, And thank you sooo much! she is beautiful!!! O my!!! I’m going to go “play dollz” she is the best! and so are you! I need to name her,…hummm….I’ll let ya know, B.” B. – I simply loved planning this doll with you, playing with all the fabric you sent and getting a chance to chat on the phone. I hope you’ve managed to avoid any more root canals!!
“I really appreciate your blog, it’s very elegant and well done, so thank you as one fellow collector to another. B.B.” B.B. You are a delightful and fascinating correspondent! Thank you.
S. even managed to make me blush with 73 characters of eBay feedback… “Stunning doll! Fast delivery! Amazing quality doll from talented artist!”S. – I’m so happy you have this doll and I hope that you enjoy your Christmas present! Your husband couldn’t have been nicer when he called to order your class. I’m very pleased to have you as a new student. Making your own Izannah will be a great adventure.
From P. “Oh Paula, I love your Izannah on Ebay right now. She is fantastic. Everything little thing about her I am in love with. Do you have some of the fabric from her dresses left over? I’d love to buy one just like her after Christmas. She is worth every penny of her buy it now. Everyone should go check her out.” P. – Your warmth and encouragement are something I appreciate so much. Writing back and forth and having you in my class is wonderful. I would be thrilled to make a doll just for you.
Thank you Paula for being so generous… I feel that I have gotten the most for my money in being able to make as close to a real IW as is probably possible with your class… If anybody will take my advice, I will steer them your way because I believe they will be better off with you. Thanks M. M- you have been a delight to teach! Your thirst for knowledge and dedication to perfecting your dolls is awe-inspiring. I’m very proud to have been able to point you in the right direction.
“I can only say that even though I have been sculpting and making dolls, I didn’t have the information about Izannah Walker doll design that your class has offered, as well as your other sewing information, and ongoing online assistance with the challenging areas of sculpting and mold making too. It’s a lesson as well as the real up close information, like patterns, body design and history. Those of us who never saw a real Izannah doll can get a closer look from this class. Much enjoyed! Thank you Paula.” From M. M. – I so appreciate your support and evident enjoyment of my class. You are an amazing doll artist and your work is outstanding. I love “talking” with you. Are you making any headway in tuning in on your grandmother’s hand made buttonhole skills?
To L. (known as M. to her friends), your phone calls are pure delight. I’m so happy to have been able to provide you with one of the dolls that you have always wanted. For a woman in her 9th decade you are one of the youngest people at heart that I know! It makes me happy to know that one of my dolls is sitting in the antique chair that you’ve had waiting for her for all these years.
There are so many more people that I haven’t mentioned, who have also sent lovely notes my way. Thank you, I treasure them all. You have helped to make my life richer and allowed me to live out my dreams.
May the upcoming New Year be the time when all of your dreams come true!
Paula
I’ve always been rather fond of rick rack. It reminds me of my childhood. The dress I wore to my first day of kindergarten was trimmed with white rick rack and I remember seeing it on countless aprons and kitchen curtains during my youth.
In truth, rick rack or waved braid, as it was first known, has been in existence far longer than I have. 🙂 I haven’t been able to track down an exact date yet, but it was certainly available when this papier-mache milliner’s model was made in the 1830’s.
The waved braid on the dress above is an exact color match to the dress fabric. Both the braid and fabric are cotton and I am speculating that they were dyed to match. The dress is original to the doll. Three rows of waved braid circle the skirt and the bodice is adorned with a lavish combination of braid and knotting.
By 1882, when the following paragraph from The Dictionary of Needlework was published, waved braid was certainly common place and was being used to trim children’s clothing. It’s not a far leap from children’s garments to doll clothes, which explains why waved braid is often seen on doll clothing from this era.
“There are also waved cotton braids, used for trimming children’s dresses, which are sold by the gross, cut into lengths. The numbers are 11, 17, 21, 29, and 33. There are also waved worsted braids for children’s use, which are sold in knots of 4 or 5 yards each, and sold by the gross pieces. The numbers are 13, 17, and 21.”
In the 1880’s it was also popular to do crochet work using waved braid. Some fantastic laces can be created in this manner. I don’t crochet, but if you do and would like to read more about how to make this type of lace, follow this link.
No matter what name you call it by, waved braid, snake braid, corrugated braid, rick rack ( alternately ricrac, ric-rack or ric rac) is a very authentic choice for trimming historically accurate, mid-1800’s reproduction doll clothing.
Merry Christmas to all of my Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Making students! As my present to the class this year I have posted instructions for making a classic mid-nineteenth century Izannah Walker dress on the class member site. The instructions include a bit of dressmaking history and how-to photos. I hope you enjoy using the instructions to make a new Christmas dress for your Izzy. After all, a girl needs more than one style of dress in her wardrobe!
If you are one of my students who has not already signed up for the class member only site, I strongly urge you to do so. Here is a sample of the bonus class information you are missing out on if you are not using the class site:
– A Tutorial on How to Reduce & Enlarge Patterns
– Making Molds: Instructions on How to Make Three Additional Types of Molds (different than the molds in the class instructions book)
– Straw and Silk Bonnet Tutorial
– Directions for Making a Classic Izannah Walker mid-1800’s Child’s Dress
– Discussions and additional Directions for “Adding the Grace of Age”, Painting Tips, Clay, Sculpting, Tools, Special Accessories, and more…
and best of all it’s entirely free for all class members.
Email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com if you are a student who needs another invitation to the class site (everyone is automatically invited when they purchase the class). Be sure to include the approximate date that you took/purchased the class so that it will be easier for me to look you up in my records. Also for those who have already signed-up for the Ning site but can’t remember how to get there, I am happy to send you a reminder 
If you haven’t taken my class yet, but have been longing to do so, this would be a wonderful time to start. Make it your 2012 New Year’s resolution to learn how to create an Izannah Walker doll using the same techniques that Izannah did. I do have a handful of classes ready that I can mail out immediately, so it is still possible to get a class before Christmas if you order today or tomorrow (forUS shipping address only).
I don’t send out many notes to my mailing list, but when I do they usually contain good things, especially this time of year. Sign-up for my mailing list if you would like to know about new designs, studio happenings and of course special sales 🙂
If you would like to be among the first to know when I have new reproduction Izannahs available, just ask and I will add you to my “new dolls” mailing list too.
Izannah Walker Journal 