Cloth Figure Workshops and Exhibitions in the UK

Techniques taught on this workshop in Oct 2007:  dyeing lace, drawing the face, stamping, bead embroidery, beaded flowers.  The two day class includes learning three of the beaded flowers. To make a version of the Vivianna doll in Patti's book on cloth doll beading.

I was so lucky to get the last remaining place on Patti's 2007 Devon 2 day workshop, (which happens to be right on my doorstep!) as I wanted to learn how to do beading, (not being mathematically minded it doesn't come as easily to me as it does to others. On the beading day I did feel a bit of a dunce, at first). It was lovely to see Patti again and enjoy the benefits of her ideas and experience.
To see her beautiful creations 'in the cloth' is always fantastically awesome!   Thank you Patti

< My almost completed doll. She requires a lot more beading. 

Vivienne 
by Madeleine Sara

 I think you can guess which two I'll be re-doing later!

My interpretation:

During this weekend we introduced Barbara to the British phenomenon of mushy peas!
Thanks again Barbara for a wonderful weekend

Dyeing Dollies
Workshop Oct 2003

I was lucky enough to enrol on a 1 hour workshop with Patti Culea at the Knitting and Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London in October 2003.

It was also a chance to meet some cloth doll artist icons, like Barbara Willis, Patti Culea and to see some familiar dolls  'in-the-cloth' instead of in photos.  We tried out the wonderful dyeing cloth bodies technique using the vegetable based Colour Hue dyes. 
It was a wonderful day. Thank you Patti :O)

Given the time constraints we were only able to use a small pin doll to learn the technique:

2004 Workshop
Creative faces

I was again lucky enough to participate in a 1 hour workshop with Patti Culea at the Knitting and Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London in October 2004 on 'Creating Faces' for cloth dolls. It gave me lots of important tips and confidence. Thank you Patti :O)

Creative Stitches, Alexandra Palace, London UK

A competition was run at the 
Knitting & Stitching Show, 
Alexandra Palace, October 2003-2004 
using a basic cloth doll pattern supplied by 
Doll maker, Ray Slater. 300 entries were 
received by March 2004 and this doll (below)
'Maid to Measure' was a winner of one 
of the categories.

Based on her 'Whisper' pattern, we learned to make Super Sculpey moulds, use 5 minute moulding compound and create paper clay masks for our cloth dolls, which we covered with stretch Lycra material and then 'painted'.

The weekend workshop also involved making the doll with separate fingered wired hands, corsets and shoes and jointing, using outer buttons. I have named mine Mary.

Barbara Willis helping out 
with the tricky fingers

Mary was my first attempt at face moulding and 'skinning' and her facial appearance made me think of a Tudor style lady, so I dressed her accordingly. I learnt so many useful tips and had a lot of fun.
Thank you Barbara :O)

A second exhibition of Needle Sculpted figures and cloth dolls was organised by Sara & Tim Maddocks 
and Sally Cudmore.

There were three times as many dolls on display, as previously; together with three 'how-to' display tables.

 2001 Exhibition

A cloth doll exhibition was organised by 
Sara & Tim Maddocks Approx' 70 people visited. The dolls even appeared on Plymouth Carlton TV for about 10 seconds in the 'What's On' slot.

The collection ranged from the cuddly child's nursery style dolls to the more sophisticated artistic poseable dolls that adorn shelves.

There was also a hands-on table showing cloth doll making tools, toy safety and doll bodies.

Of the 43 dolls on display, 31 were made by me, the rest were purchased from all around the world.