Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists

As a very traditional 'doll' person my first doll book was by Jan Horrox and it is an excellent book. I passed over this one because the dolls looked a bit too 'funky' for my taste but having now made 5 dolls with Jan Horrox's patterns - all of which have turned out far better than I expected - I find myself looking for dolls with a difference and also to exploying new techniques. I was particularly looking for a book which included stump dolls and ways of individualising fabrics rather than just using them straight from the shop. This book arrived this morning (hardback not paperback as advertised - not complaining) and I have had to force myself to put it down long enough to do this review. I would still say that a beginner should start with Jan Horrox who takes you through every step very thoroughly and the patterns really work but, having done that, Ray Slater has certainly turned out a real cracker with this offering giving lots of new thoughts and ideas - good patterns and excellent instructions for creating individual fabrics. I had spent a day dying Wensleydale 'curls' but was nervous about how to needlefelt them to the dolls head - all the instructions are in this book as well as lots of other 'hair' ideas. All in all, just what I was looking for to feed what is rapidly becoming a bit of an obsession with each doll becoming more and more intricate - where will it all end, well, thank goodness they have shut Newgate is all I can say.......

Oh this book is truly inspirational! It gives lots of ideas for creating your own textiles, embellishments and various other hints and tips for creating a unique doll. (Just as an aside - this is not a doll MAKING book. There are a couple of basic patterns, but this book concentrates on textile decoration, not how to make a doll) Already I have a few of my own ideas rolling around instead of using what Ray suggests (especially for heat gunning fabric to reveal other layers beneath. There are other ways to do that with no smelly fumes). All in all, its a lovely big book that I will be keeping close at hand for the future.Oh and well done Amazon for your Sunday delivery. Didn't quite believe that, but I stand corrected! :)

Intending to made a doll for the first time I sent for this book and was not disappointed. If you want clear directions, some patterns to follow and some inspiring fabrics to make (with instructions for the fabrics too), then this book has what you need. There are instructions for making basic faces too, which is a great help!These are art dolls rather than toys for children, although if you are used to sewing you could adapt one of the patterns - the clothes would not be appropriate for little children, however teenage girls as well as adults would, I think, be thrilled to have one of these 'one-of-a-kind dolls.I found the book really useful and the ideas in it are a springboard to developing new ideas for myself - always the sign of a really good 'craft' book. Good value too.

this book certainly has the wow factor. when you flick through the pages, some of the doll designs leave you breathless. the level of experience and skill required to execute some of the designs is way beyond mine at the present time, however, reading the book certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities. i would recommend the book for anyone who has an artistic eye and has a passion for needlecraft - particularly for utilising a range of yarns, fabrics and has easy access to a sewing machine.

This is a visually appealing book with good descriptions and instructions and some very practical information as well as creative ideas. I have enjoyed browsing through it and will hopefully get around to some of the charming dolls.The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that I came across a couple of minor errors or omissions in the instructions - nothing you could not figure out, but I found them just from reading, rather than trying to follow instructions. Overall though a very nice book.

Very clear instructions for this complicated craft but the dolls are beautiful

The book provides plenty of inspiration for ways to embellish what are otherwise fairly basic dolls. The instructions for creating th eembellishments (embroidery stitches, creating embellished cords etc) are clear and easy to follow. I looked through the book cover to cover as soon as I got it and now have lots of techniques I want to try out.

So far I've only made a stump doll from the book, but I'm really pleased with her: I followed the pattern provided and although I found the hands very small to turn out there's practical advice on designing your own, which I'll do with a slightly different hand-shape. Lots of advice on working with fabrics and creating interesting layers and effects, overall a good buy to either start art doll making, or expand your current skill-set in this field.