Rag Dolls for my Porcelain and Resin Dolls

13 years ago when I first discovered you could actually make Porcelain Dolls, I fell in Love with a doll named Molly.  Molly was sculpted by Dianna Effner and the molds are sold through Expressions Dolls.  Dianna is my favorite sculptor and is also an excellent teacher.  I got to attend 2 Seminars at her Studio in Jamestown, MO where she taught several wonderful Ladies and myself how to paint doll eyes.  Using her technique, I painted this Molly and got such a sweet expression on her face.  Saggedy was also handmade by me using one of Dianna's patterns.  Her smocked dress was also made using an Expressions pattern.  When I first saw the picture of Molly, I had no idea how to sew but I taught myself how to smock.  I wanted to make Molly a smocked dress so after researching how to smock on-line, I dove in and made this beautiful dress!

Here is a close up picture of Molly's Face.  Her eyes were a lot of fun to paint.  When I made this Molly, I did not own any of the molds so I ordered her bisque from www.dollsyourway.com  I had her leave the eye area in so that I was able to paint them.  I really love the effect you get with the painted eyes.

Here is a close up of Saggedy's face.  I used acrylic paint, copic markers and a blue ball point pen.  This picture was taken before I put his hair on but I really wanted to show off his cute little ears too!   Since finishing this set, which was sold, I have made several Saggedy dolls for other people.  The pattern I have actually has pattern pieces for 3 different dolls.  Rag Doll, Saggedy Sam and Floppy Joe.  The pattern is called Raggmuffins and is available at  www.expressionsdolls.com

After making many porcelain dolls over the years, I discovered the Resin Ball Jointed Dolls and Vinyl Little Darling Dolls that have become favorites for many doll collectors.  While browsing Ebay several months ago, I   found a beautiful costume for a Kaye Wiggs Doll from Deena's Country Hearth.  Not only was Deena selling the clothing, she was also selling a Rag Doll she had made for the Wiggs Doll to hold that matched the clothing.  Since then, those Rag Dolls have become quite popular so Deena decided to share her pattern with us all so we could all make our very own Rag Dolls!  The name of the Rag Doll is Little Mini Wilabee Bug Dolly.  She is very cute!  I purchased the pattern but have not yet made any dolls.  I want to tea dye my muslin first but I have never done this before so I am looking for a good online tutorial on how it is done before trying.   Here is a picture of the pattern.

Once I feel confident that I will be able to dye my muslin correctly, I will dye it then dive in to making one of these sweet little dollies!  Until then, I am working on several Saggedy Sams and Floppy Joes!  They sure are keeping me busy but at least I am having a lot of fun with them!