News

Hi, all -

I'm writing this on the day before Thanksgiving and I am thankful. I am thankful for my wonderful family and a homey place to live together. I am thankful for dear friends, far and near. I am thankful for the ability to make things with my hands and the opportunity to do it. I am thankful to be able to share what I learn. I am thankful for my husband who is a great "helpmeet", to use a biblical term. I am thankful that I get to make pies today, and am all ready to do that!

I am finalizing the pattern and preparing the class format, which will be hosted on ning.com. If you are interested in taking the class I suggest that you join the Izannah Walker Dolls Group first to get used to the ning format. Ning.com is a hosting site for groups. You will need to sign up for ning I like it a lot, but it takes getting used to.

I am making the pattern to be purchased alone and will be offering a class to go along with the pattern. There are some people who would like the pattern without taking the class, and there are others who want more intensive information and tutorials than a pattern can give. The class will include pictures of construction details of original Izannah Walker dolls that I have not published yet. So for many it will be worth it to buy the pattern and the class.

Regarding the workshop class, if you want to get the latest information, please email me by clicking "Contact Dixie" and I will add your name to the workshop list. This is set up specifically for this class - you will not be added to any other list. I'll be sending out supply lists, and sources for those supplies by email prior to posting them here. It's an exciting time! And it's going to be fun!

Again, the pattern will be offered for sale in December and the Izannah Walker Workshop will begin in January.

Dixie Redmond
Northdixie Designs
Email me

Supplies List

I am working on an extensive supply list which I will send out by email and post here later. Most of the items can be purchased easily locally, but there are a few that you may need to order ahead of time, or take a day trip to get. Here are items worth ordering and putting in your own stocking for Christmas ;-)

Barbara Willis Stuffing Fork - I know these are available at Gail Wilson Designs as that's where I bought mine. They're also available at Cloth Doll Supply

Creative Paperclay - this can be purchased online at www.creativepaperclay.com in bulk. Or you can buy it at A. C. Moore, Michael's etc. in smaller amounts.

Stuffing of Your Choice - this is a personal choice. I like the Morning Glory brand in the green bag/box and others swear by other brands.

Heavy weight fabric for the body torso - this again is a personal choice. I really like unbleached twill....sometimes called drill fabric. It used to be sold in my area and was discontinued, so I started buying this fabric at Hemp Traders. It doesn't ravel as much as the unbleached twill or drill fabric. The nice thing about the hemp/cotton cloth is that the weave looks more irregular, more similar to what muslin and fabrics of the past might have looked. The 5.7 oz. hemp/cotton muslin is what I ordered. It is not appropriate for arms/hands - too thick, but is great for places that you want to stuff very firmly and are more utilitarian or will be covered by paperclay.

A closely woven lighter weight all natural fabric for arms/fingers. There is much more detail sewing and thicker fabrics would be challenging. Don't buy the Hemp Traders 3.6 oz. muslin as it is too light and open in weave. But it would be great for petticoats, etc.

A lighter weight cotton or linen fabric for undergarments - a yard will cover what you need for a petticoat, chemise and pantaloons.

Thread to match your body/undergarment fabrics and your dress fabric.

Heavy Duty Thread to match your body/limb color for sewing on limbs, closing openings in the doll torso, etc. Upholstery thread or button thread works great for this.

Dress fabric</span> - there are so many wonderful sites with great reproduction fabrics out there....Gail Wilson Designs, Reproduction Fabrics, and this online shop has yummy fabrics, too. But don't neglect your local fabric store - there is a source here where I live that has many wonderful reproduction fabrics that have been discontinued, plus it supports my local economy. The only online seller I've purchased from in this list is Gail Wilson fabrics. But I've heard good things about Reproduction Fabrics from other doll makers.

Gesso - this is an artist's primer that prepares the cloth to receive paint. It is expensive but helps you to save on paint, so it's worth it. You can buy it at art supply stores , or craft stores like A. C. Moore or Michael's. You can also buy it online. It most usually comes in white, but I have purchased it from Daniel Smith in ochre, a dark red and it's available in black, too.

Paint - this is a personal choice. I sometimes use a craft paint for the basic color (parchment) and then I lay acrylic glazes with high quality artist's paints over the top. Other people enjoy buying a flesh colored paint and using that. Still others like to mix their own with artist's paints. Some people enjoy using oil paints, and there are some great ones that thin with water and clean up with water. For the class we will be using acrylic paints.

Acrylic Matte Medium - if you choose to use acrylic paints, this is a lo-gloss/no-gloss acrylic liquid you can add to your paint to thin them down. Especially nice for when you want to glaze over an area to add depth.

Workshop Class

Updates coming soon!