Ms Winter

O hello, dahlings!

This is Ms Winter.   So very pleased to meet you!

Her first name?  well, what is in a name?  Is a name, “just a name”, or does it mean something?  We all know someone who makes us think, “well she certainly doesn’t look like a “Carolyn”, I’ve always thought she looks just like a ____  “(fill in the blank)  When I was making this young lady, I did not intend to give her a name myself, in fact I purposely tried to avoid thinking of one.  Howeeeeeever, the same as when I made my Sally doll, I couldn’t help it but a name did pop into my head in those quiet zen moments as I was working on her.  So, in that respect, she actually does have a name; a quiet maker-born name… but first things first, let me start at the beginning.

I really enjoyed making my first doll Sally, which is why I decided to make this other… she is quite similar but actually quite different too in many little but significant ways.  I used the patterns in “the Making of a Rag Doll” by Jess Brown for Sally; whereas I drew up my own new patterns for this girl and for all her clothes.  The new girl is taller, has a smaller head and is quite the lanky skinny-minnie compared to the pear-shaped Sally.

She has pale skin, blue eyes and a thick long mane of charcoal-black merino hair… technically “beluga” hair, actually the wool leftover from these hand-knitted gloves, as well as from the heels and toes for nearly all my hand-knitted socks.  Just like Sally, her hair fully covers her scalp and can be styled a little.

I started out thinking of her as a Winter girl, thus her colouring; and was just going to make the above winter outfit for her… black merino tights,  a black and white striped sweater dress (leftover from this little top) and a knitted beanie (leftovers from these arm warmers)  The pattern for the beanie is adapted from that free one from the tiny sparks website, designed for preemie babies.  I’ve previously used it when I made a bunch of little preemie outfits.  And I added a pompom.

But of course, the minute I’d finished her winter outfit I couldn’t resist making a summer outfit for her too;  an elegant and ladylike wrap dress – le dernier-cris!! – in a swishy, prettily floral rayon.

Having two outfits made me realise, of course she was going to be getting undressed every now and then…. which can only mean one thing; underwear.  Even dolls deserve pretty underthings! so I made a little pair of lace boy-leg knickers for her too.  I embroidered a tiny rosebud with flanking leaves on the front,  just because.

And then I thought… all these very casual clothes: what if this glamorous young lady wants to sashay out after dark?  Every girl needs a chic little sparkly number for a special occasion, yes?  So I whipped up a hot-pink, sequinned, raglan sleeved sheath; in a mini-length in order to show off her enviably long slim legs; and for a finishing touch, added a matching jewelled necklace to nestle at that alabaster throat.  Oo lala!

But, all these clothes? How is a girl to get from A to B with all this lot?  Not to worry! she has a lovely cherry red duffle bag with a black strap to sling over her shoulder, as she dashes through traffic twixt office and taxi, taxi and theatre.  Just like all the cool girls.

Just a note to be real here; the duffle is actually empty in the below picture… she has a tendency to topple over when it’s packed full with her wardrobe!

Oh, her name?  Well, that’s for me to know and for you to find out!  Anyone who likes to “pin” will be able to find her name easily enough… !  There now, that’s a clue!

This is the first girl in a small seasonal set that I am planning to make, and sell in our shop.

Later edit; I made little raspberry coloured drawstring carry bag, with an inset tulle window so that she can see out… this can store her and all her stuff for when she’s not out and about  🙂