on my work table

fitting foxes for kimonosI’ve been working on a huge collection of creatures for Fortuny. Today I’m fitting patient foxes for kimonos – it takes a long time and  they never complain or fidgit – they are always solemn and still. The fit is precise – especially at the back of the neck and they are fully lined and have fancy obis. Sewing them is still complicated for me, it’s a different sort of sewing than I usually do and figuring it out is interesting – it activates my beginners brain – always a good thing.

pink kimonoDressing the foxes reminds me of a story I read as a child. I must have been about nine when I first read it and I still have the book, an illustrated collection of stories for bigger little folks.

doll story“The Doll That Was Rich” was a favorite story about 2 little girls named Cosy and Marlie – the names alone intrigued me. It was read so frequently that the book still falls open to the page:

” On the table in front of them were two dolls, one dressed and one partially dressed. Beside them was an open parcel, full of bits of bright colored silk; and beside that again was a work basket.”

I still love the idea of a basket of fancy scraps and somebody to dress up.

7 Comments

  1. Yes. A basket of fancy scraps — what could be better?! Enjoy!

  2. Oh my goodness!! This is ringing a faraway childhood bell for me too! I am sure I have seen that illustration and read that story before. I have always been obsessed with scraps and still sew tiny dresses out of them by hand. It always transports me back to my first days with a needle. I wonder if this was one of my origins too! Thank you so much for sharing this!

  3. Your foxes are precious. So dignified and elegant. I love your work.

  4. Linda Smith

    Your work is amazing! I love the tiny doll and her clothes. The only dolls I have made were peg dolls when I was about 11 or 12. A neighbour was a seamstress and would give me scraps of material which I would use for my peg dolls. Keep creating your beautful projects and photographing them – they are a joy to see. Best wishes from Liverpool, UK.

  5. You had posted, at one time, a tutorial on stuffing your dolls. A reader had sent you a technique that you thought was great. I can’t seem to find it anymore. Can you help?

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