We just got our mitts on Jess Brown's lovely new book The Making of a Rag Doll and are completely obsessed!
The book is a guide to making your very own Jess Brown rag doll, including wardrobe elements (tiny tote bag, anyone?) and everything from insight into how she works with textiles to tea dying fabrics. The possibilities are endless!
One of the most inspiring chapters in the book talks about using fabrics cut from vintage clothing found at places like the flea market (or from sweaters that accidentally got tossed in the dryer and ruined - genius!), so we immediately high-tailed it to the Alameda Flea Market with an eye towards materials for making our very own heirloom dolls...loving this Indian block print; and what doll couldn't benefit from a little sequins?
Cotton threads for detailing tiny quilts and pretty flannels waiting to be turned into miniature coats...
Rolls of sackcloth- A great foundation for your doll...
Pretty vintage florals and stripes and a bright array of Indian textiles...
And, of course, the flea is always great for any number of perfectly worn bits and bobs for which there surely must serve a purpose...
Doll suitcases? Or possibly a cross body purse?
Lovely millinery sugared fruit...
And a great resource for other project ideas - Jess Brown based a lot of her doll clothing patterns on old doll clothes she found at flea markets - how fun would it be to whip up some animal puppets? We'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas!