As a child and young teenager, I would play with dolls. I would make up stories and act them out with my dolls. The older I got, the more intricate the stories became. I would spend hours in my room, alone, away from my younger brothers, playing with my dolls. It was a wonderful time, that seem to go by so quickly, I'd always have to pause the episodes to come to dinner or practice piano. Dolls were very special to me, and I loved collecting clothes and accessories for them, and creating dwellings for them.
Last weekend, I was reminded of my connection with dolls, as I made my first doll. I knew that handmade dolls were expensive for a reason, but now I really understand the struggles they entail. Major sewing was involved. For one who has never used a sewing machine, it was a bit frustrating. Once you get going with the pedal, it just goes on a train wreck sometime. I had to re thread the needle at least a dozen times. The curves are really tricky, especially when they're small and sharp, as they were from the pattern. We cut the skin/flesh colored fabric from a simple doll pattern given to us, making two of each shape.
After pinning the pieces together, I sewed them together using the sewing machine. The stuffing part was easy. I used the eraser side of the pencil to stuff the cotton into the arms and legs. I did the face using embroidery threads, although I could have added buttons. The hair was done sewing one strand at a time on in rows and making sure each was securely tied down.
At the end of the second day of the workshop, we all had a circle discussion to introduce our dolls. During the entire workshop we were observing and learning ways to use dolls and doll making techniques in a therapeutic process. For some, making a doll brought back childhood memories, for others adult experiences. I made a doll of my good friend Bonnie, who died a tragic death about 4 years ago. The domestic violence that she experienced was revealed only a week before she was violently stabbed to death by her husband. Even though it's been 4 years, it's still hard to believe that she's gone. I will never forget her, but I made this doll because I really miss her. This doll is Bonnie the way I knew her, always happy and laughing. Her spirit still lives on. As I was making her, I mentioned to the instructor that she needed to have glasses, because Bonnie always had reading glasses held around her neck by a string of beads. A kind lady in the class offered me two different pairs of doll reading glasses that she had randomly found at a garage sale. What a coincidence, or maybe it was meant to be. Whichever it was, it was wonderful.
Above is a photo of all the dolls. Many of them are still works in progress. Bonnie is front row, far left.