Reflecting on Foxes

 

I have been reflecting on foxes this week. Several new foxes are ready but I have not taken photographs yet as we all have succumbed to Covid, again! It never makes any of us really ill it is just a real nuisance. This is my fifth time!
The original foxes were huge, around two foot tall and first made in 2010. Over the years I have changed the pattern several times and radically reduced the size to be more fitting. I like smaller, smaller is better.
Big black nose and blue eyes is where they started but now their eyes are rich orange brown. For years I used Oakshott plains for bodies. Wonderfully rich colours in a sturdy shot dyed cotton and then the owner retired and I had to rethink. I moved on to Moda Grunge, with a wonderful textured pattern and now use little else for foxes.
Another change was moving away from crocheted flower bags to my familiar counted thread sampler bags. I enjoy making them more and find my hands ache if I do too much fiddly crochet work. I try to make each doll, fox or no, a three dimensional texture illustration. Bringing together all the myriad of components and materials. Embroidery thread, stitch, cotton, lace and leather all work to achieve this for me. Including herbs and a crystal in each doll is important to me and I love soursing them. Many of my dried herbs are from my own garden and each means something to me.
So new foxes are on the way if we can just shake this darn cold! Have a lovely weekend xx

A Work in Progress

 Just a work in progress for Work in Progress Wednesday. I liked the first photo, showing how all the clothes are made first to dress, in this instance a gentleman fox. You can see my trusty Bernina Record in the background. Made in 1964, it is two years older than me! I have three of these and would not be without them.

This gentleman will have a gingham shirt with navy plus fours in a Japanese yarn dye fabric for a tweedy look. An orange silk cravat and a lined Liberty tana lawn and felt waistcoat. His boots are navy leather with his sturdy foraging bag felt and leather with a buckle.
This one of my favourite patterns, a six piece pattern so quite fiddly. I especially love his tail peeping out of his trousers!
As you can see his arms are made separately with frilled cuffs as all mt dolls are button jointed, a style I really like,

Clover, A Bunny in Liberty Lawn

 

This is Clover, a bunny in Liberty Tana Lawn. The print is called Wild Flower, the cream colourway.
I have been making and adding detachable brooches you can wear. Larger ones on the bigger dolls but tiny ones on the smaller dolls. The tiny ones are a tonal embroidered rose on a gingham fabric finished with tiny buttons and organza ribbon. I like the addition and enjoy making them.
Liberty Tana Lawn in the Wild Flowers print—designed by artist Su Blackwell—is a celebration of native British flora. Inspired by an early 19th-century Field Guide to Wild Flowers in Britain, the pattern channels nostalgic memories of childhood journeys across the countryside. It comes now in many different colourways which is a delight.

Lettice, A Bunny in Liberty Lawn

 

This is Lettice, not lettuce! I was thinking of Lettice Knollys Queen Elizabeth's cousin rather than an iceberg.
It has been delightful to revisit this hand painted and embroidered bunny pattern. Dressed in Liberty tana lawn called Fairy Tale, she has a gingham cotton petticoat with tulle lace underskirts and broderie anglais drawers. She has rosemary to her stuffing with rose quartz at her heart and is carrying a sampler pillow. She also has a tiny gingham rose hoop brooch that is complete and can be removed and worn yourself. Finished with tiny buttons, leather shoes and organzie ribbon she is a gentle bunny with a warm heart.
She has two sisters already on the shop with two more to photograph and then onto foxes or squirrels or both!

Revisiting Rabbits

 

I have been having the best time revisiting rabbits. Enjoying an older pattern that is both fiddly and complex in construction. I do love to fiddle!
This is Aggie, who sold early on last year, dressed in rich tweedy yarn dye fabrics and linen. With stout boots, a leather foraging bag and a silk cravat to keep her warm in the early mornings.
Her eyes are hand painted and then her facial details embroidered. I love her big nose, detailed with French knots.
Three late spring girls are finished and waiting to be photographed with a walking bunny in tweedy yarn dyes is on the work table and a midnight bunny in mind.

Laura Ingalls from the Little House

 

This is Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie written by Laura Ingalls Wilder in the 1930's and set in 1870's America.
I wanted to learn how to make a traditional Poke Bonnet with the ribbon and the draw string back for adjustment. It was really interesting to construct and far more complex than I first thought but so enjoyable.
I went looking for fabrics and colours redolent of the place and time so she is dressed in warm beiges and denim blues with rich cinnamon linen.
With her bonnet and stout boots she is ready for a day in the prairie grasslands.
She carries a counted threadwork sampler sachet and has a little embroidery hoop brooch that is complete and can be removed and worn. She has deep blue eyes with brunette pigtails and a gentle smile. All hand embroidered and hand styled. She was a joy to make xx