An Introduction...

Welcome to my new blogspot...and to start, a little about my journey here...

I have a background in costume design and I have been making dolls for many years. My recent creations have been cloth dolls inspired by antique dolls and my family history (another of my favourite pastimes). I also love creating anything with fabric and I'm enjoying experimenting with different styles and designing unique items.

In this blog I will share doll info, tips and tricks that I have learnt over the years and also pics and even a few patterns, so please check back often to see what's new....

Monday 31 December 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My celebration comprised of a quiet evening at home launching my new website! Please pop over to www.auntpollysdollemporium.weebly.com and pay me a visit, I'll be adding lots of new goodies over the coming weeks....

Sunday 23 December 2012

My orders are finally finished for this year so I can now think about new designs for next year! With my first fair early in January it's going to be a very busy time...and with three fairs the first weekend in February it's going to be quite a challenge!! Can't wait....

Friday 21 December 2012


Another doll based on the fabulous pattern by Maureen Mills of Sweetmeadows Farm. I love this design though the body shape is all she has in common with the original pattern and every one I make turns out differently!

I only ever make up enough body paint for one or two dolls at a time as I'm enjoying experimenting with different strengths and shades of paint. This then alters the way I paint the features and as I don't use a face pattern they are always going to be a little different from each other.

So once the face is painted this then governs the hairstyle. I really love this very curly wool, though it's not the easiest to manage! I have a bit of an aversion to using glue on these dolls so I tend to needlefelt the hair in place. The drawback to this is that it can be ripped out, though only if you pull hard!

Once the hair is done, it's just a question of making something suitable to dress her in. I always go for a simply designed outfit as she's not the type for lots of fuss and ruffles!

Saturday 27 October 2012

I have now done three outdoor markets and I have to say they're not for the feint hearted! At the first one it rained twice, luckily it started after I was undercover, though the leaky bits were a bit of a nuisance...good job I had a clear plastic sheet with me! At the second one it was really foggy when we set up so I had to spend time drying up the stall before I could fill it! Then the third one, which was yesterday was very cold and became so windy in the afternoon that our gazebo started blowing away so much so that we had to give in to the elements...needless to say that's the fastest packing away I have ever done!

Monday 1 October 2012

Next Fair....

The next craft fair is Saturday 6th October at Market Weighton Community Hall, Station Road, Market Weighton.....where I'll be launching my new Christmas ranges!

Friday 14 September 2012

And for the cat lover...


Raggedy cats...now available with a cute 'expression' fabric patch, this can be made with your own message...a perfect gift for the cat lover.


Thursday 13 September 2012

Raggedy Wishes...


My new line in raggedies...these little gals have a cute apron with a message or name of your choice added in a cute fabric patch with a button detail. Perfect as a gift for a special occasion!

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Pumpkins...


Got my first few pumpkins finished...I'm taking these to my next fair to see what everyone thinks before I make a huge batch!!!

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Fairs...Fairs....Fairs

I'm off to Hull Craft Collective Fair at the weekend....using public transport! Hmmm....it's going to be an interesting journey with a train and a bus to catch. I'm wondering just how much I'll be able to carry on my own...and if I have one of my big mammy dolls on my knee at least I won't have to pay for a seat for her!

Tuesday 4 September 2012

...and there's more...

I decided today would be a good day to attempt to wash my 2 sheep fleeces that were so generously given to me by a lovely local lady who just happened to have black sheep and saw my moans about how difficult it was to source doll hair!
I took some advice from another crafty friend (who is a fantastic spinner) on how to wash them ready for use...and it's on it's way...once it's all done I should have enough to last me a very long time!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Work in Progress...

Had a very busy few days at 'Crafts Uncovered'...lots of dolls are now ready to dress...and I'm bursting with new ideas for the next lot...just wish my brain could slow down a bit so my fingers could catch up!!!

Saturday 25 August 2012

Crafts uncovered...


Well, I'm all packed up and ready for this event...going to be painting faces on dolls today. I normally like to do this on a very quiet morning at home when I'm in a really good mood...they usually turn out better that way, so today will be a bit of an experiment...I'm hoping I don't end up with a pile of witches!

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Latest news.....

Come and find me on FACEBOOK to keep up to date with my latest creations..they always seem to find their way there first!

Thursday 16 August 2012

Crafts uncovered...

I'm working my socks off ready for my next event which is CRAFTS UNCOVERED (a selected group of crafters demonstrating their craft and a sale of work...a great way to see the skills involved and 'meet the makers') at the Water's Edge Visitor Centre. For those that haven't visited before, this is a lovely day out with lots to do in the visitor centre, a fabulous country park and of course our event...and even better it's completely FREE!
It's just down the road from the Ropewalk which is also well worth a visit and again completely FREE!Check out the links above (click on the coloured words) for more information.


Wednesday 1 August 2012

Spent a very sooty two days at Hull Veterans weekend! Why sooty? Because for two days we had two large traction engines directly opposite our marquee blowing in their thick black sooty smoke!! Not an event I'll repeat....took a full day to clean all of my dolls!

Thursday 5 July 2012

This is sammy the 'Cranford' Dog! Anyone who watched the popular bbc series 'Cranford' will probably recognise the style of outfit! Definitely one of my more unusual commissions.

Demonstration and Fair...

I really enjoy these sorts of events...I'll be demonstrating doll making techniques with a varied programme (and sale of work) for the three days. I'll even be working on some of my china heads this time!

Howden Show...


I had a lovely day at Howden show, a very well organised event and even the weather was kind to us! It had rained...a lot...beforehand so we had a bit of a trek across the field to set up as we couldn't take the cars (so it wasn't churned to mud before we started), but it was well worth the extra effort...and a really great day out!

Friday 29 June 2012

Howden show...

I'm looking forward to Howden Show this weekend (Sunday 1st July) where I'll be demonstrating some doll making techniques and selling my latest creations....now I have to go and finish some of those latest creations!

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Patterns galore...

I finally have a stand for all of my patterns...it's a much better way of displaying them. I can't wait to use it at the next fair and I may even have a few new patterns to add to it!

Friday 8 June 2012

New Quilts...

My latest quilt creation...I love the button details and the scrappy effect of this one!

Thursday 7 June 2012

My favourite favourite....

I've really fallen in love with this little girl, which is surprising as while I was making her I wasn't at all keen on the pattern, particularly when she was a calico blank. It's amazing how the character emerges as you paint!
She's already in her new home (never even made it to my ETSY shop) so I'll have to attempt another!

Raggedies in progress


The raggedies are such a popular doll, I've sold out again...so I thought I'd try some variations with styles and colours. They just need some hair and clothes now...

Work in progress...

Had a really busy few weeks with lots of different projects on the go and a lot of fairs which mostly have been a waste of time!
My newest dolls are almost finished and I'll be moving on to yet more new designs...

Thursday 19 April 2012

New Fair...

I'm really looking forward to this weekend...I'll be taking a variety of works in progress...might even get a couple finished while I'm there!

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Water's Edge Fair.

I've had a busy weekend at the Water's Edge Easter craft fair...there were lots of visitors and I made a few new friends during the weekend. It's much more like a social event than work, but still quite tiring! I'm looking forward to my next fair and hoping that my new stand will be ready as I can't fit all of my new dolls on this one!

Friday 6 April 2012

Cute or what?


I made this doll from brown brushed cotton denim, so the fabric is very thick and heavy, but has a beautifully soft touch!! I have to say I think this is the easiest fabric ever to paint, the paint glided so smoothly on to the surface and stayed exactly where it should with no bleeding...must get some more of this fabric!

Thursday 5 April 2012

A new look...


More new styles of doll... I would usually give the dolls a raggedy style face, but this time I opted for a more whimsical look. The doll on the right has a pinch stitched nose for added detail.

Antique lithograph style doll...

To make this doll, I used an image from an old photo and printed directly on to the fabric, then made the doll in the usual way. She turned out quite well, though her face is a little grey!

A lesson learned...


I won't be repeating these in a hurry, although the fabric was very easy to sew and turn, I discovered thet it didn't hold acrylic paint very well and the paint bled into the fabric...so I'll definitely remember to 'paint test' my fabrics before starting on any dolls that need painted faces!

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Work in progress...


I've been busy working on some new dolls...they're all painted and ready to finish, though not without a few difficulties along the way. The darkest doll is made in recycled brushed denim and although she was very difficult to turn and sew due to the thickness of the fabric, she was a dream to paint! I can't say the same for the other darker doll, she was made in a very soft pure cotton from a shirt and I discovered that the paint bled very easily, so although she was easy to turn and sew, she was a nightmare to paint!

Tuesday 13 March 2012

All the fun of the fair...


I had a lovely weekend at the 'Crafts Uncovered' demonstration and sale of work this weekend. The Water's Edge Visitor Centre is a lovely place to visit (and has a fabulous little cafe!).

Thursday 8 March 2012

Primitive Doll

This little doll turned out so cute! She is from a SweetMeadows Farm pattern and has been made in calico, then painted. Her cotton dress has a lovely watermelon print and she has matching rags in her pure wool hair.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Big Ol' Mammy

I've just completed this lovely ol' mammy doll. At 34 inches, she's one of the biggest I've made so far. The pattern is a Sweetmeadows Farm original and I love the style of her hands and feet. I think she'll display quite well at the next fair!

Monday 20 February 2012

Queen Anne Doll Pattern



It's finished! I have both a digital download and the regular paper pattern available...just have a look in my Etsy and Folksy shops for details...or you can order directly from me if you prefer!

Sunday 19 February 2012

Queen Anne Doll Pattern



I'm just putting the finishing touches to this Queen Anne doll pattern and I'm hoping it will be ready for release in the next few days!

Friday 10 February 2012



I'm planning to take my old singer hand crank sewing machine for demonstrations for this fair, I'll be doing some doll making techniques and I'm hoping I'll have a new range of ready to sew doll kits in printed calico...and another huge mammy doll completed...and some historical costumes..and more dolls...I'm going to be busy!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Journal cover...



Another idea for printer fabric...and a great way to use up those scraps! I printed a victorian fashion plate onto the fabric, then used it as a centrepiece and added scraps in a crazy quilt style for this gorgeous book cover. These could be made to fit any book...this one is A5 size...I'm going to try another, but add vintage lace and trimmings for a truly victorian feel.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

More dolls...



Another bunch of finished dolls...I needed three for orders, so made four...it's a good way of having 'ready mades' for fairs as I don't really notice the extra time when making them in batches.

And I finally have a new supply of raw wool for hair!

Friday 20 January 2012

Ready for Spring....

It's so nice to work with bright spring colours when the winter days are so gloomy. Once again I've been using my printer to make the little fabric patches.....more to follow soon...

Monday 16 January 2012

Great Gift Idea...


I've been experimenting with printable fabric and this is one of my first creations..a photo cushion!
I think this would make a great gift for those 'difficult to buy for' people, you just email your chosen photo (jpeg format), then choose your colour scheme for the border (this one was pastel pink/blue) and you can have your very own unique cushion.