One of my online groups, Vintage Cloth Dollmaking, is hosting a Columbian doll challenge. Columbians are weird dolls. I, and most other dollmakers, believe they are meant to represent a child. But they've got some strange features. Like a wasp waist and protruding lump on the back of their heads that is said to represent a bun in their hair. Here's a link to some interesting information about the famous Miss Columbia where you can learn more. Much more talented dollmakers than I have made these dolls. Check out Mimi Kirchner's- hers is just wonderful.
So, I'm trying my hand at one, even though it is not one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to painting again. It's been almost a year since I've made a painted doll face. I'm also having fun hand stitching my doll. I've hand stitched many, many doll outfits, but this is the first time doing the whole doll. I didn't have to-I just wanted to, you know, like connect with my dollmaking foremothers! I also drafted my own pattern, so that's a little scary. I based my pattern on my studies of Mimi's Columbian and the discussions we've been having in the group. I really hope she turns out! I'll try to take some progress photos tonight.
I used the Susan Fosnot Pattern that was in Doll Crafter, July 2002, for my Miss Columbia. It was a great pattern, although not terribly accurate if you are trying to reproduce the original.
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