Prim Hearts: Prim Doll Making - My newest passion

Hi everyone,

This is my first blog and my first post to this blog. I've thought about starting a blog for over a year now, but just never got around to it. I've even signed up for other blogs but never posted.

Anyway. Here goes.

My newest passion is making prim dolls (primitive dolls) for doll collections. Each doll is hand made from tea stained muslin cloth. The doll shapes are cut out and sewed together, then stuffed with fiberfill. Arms and legs are formed separately, stuffed, and then sewed to the body of the doll. Hand made clothes are fitted and accent pieces are added to each doll. Shoes are painted on and buttons are added. Hair is made from embroidery floss or yarn. Buttons are used for eyes or the eyes are painted on. Eyebrows, nose, and mouth are stitched. No two dolls are exactly alike and each has its own special name.

Many doll makers like to make their dolls look old by tea, coffee, and vanilla staining the doll, clothes, and hair. Other techniques are used to make the dolls look old, well-worn, and grungy. Dolls can also be sprayed with mixtures of vanilla, cinnamon, and various scents to give the dolls a pleasing aroma.

Here are pictures of some of my dolls.

Annie just picked a basket of apples to make an apple pie. The apples look so good she might eat the one in her hand. Annie is wearing her favorite apron with heart buttons and 'loons to match. Her dress is made from a patchwork print with red hearts. She has little heart buttons on her shoes and her striped leggins are painted on. Her eyes are little black buttons and her features are sewed on. Her hair is made of embroidery floss. Annie stands 15 inches tall. She'd love to visit your home and make an apple pie.

Laura with heart is 15 inches tall. She is holding a pink with tiny-white-polka-dots heart. She's going to visit a friend in her yellow dress with pink, blue, and yellow flowers. Her 'loons have embroidered eyelet flowers with scalloped edging and yellow bows to match her dress. Her shoes are yellow with heart-shaped buttons. Laura's eyes are tiny black buttons and she has a big smile on her face. Her hair is made of embroidery floss. Laura would love to be your friend.

Rose is wearing a pink dress with pink roses. She stitched a pink rose to her heart. Her 'loons are pink and white gingham and tied with thread bows. Her leggins are painted on and she has on painted rose-colored mary janes with tiny buttons. Today her hair is in pigtails and she tied the ends with scraps of cloth that match her dress. Her blushed cheeks, button eyes, and big smile make her a real sweet heart. Rose is 15 inches tall.

Madeline put on her new spring dress and white mary janes. She picked the prettiest flowers from her garden for you. Madeline has on bright pink bloomers to coordinate with her pink and white dress. She is 15 inches tall. Her roses are made from cloth scraps from her dress and bloomers and tied with a little bow. Her hair is made from embroidery floss and her face is stitched. Won't you invite Madeline over for tea and cookies?

Betsy is busy sewing an American flag for the 4th of July. She has on a very patriotic dress with stars and stripes. Her white cap has white stars and a red ribbon to match her dress. Her bloomers are covered with blue stars. She's wearing her red mary janes with blue stars. A little red star is sewed at the neck of her dress. Betsy is 15 inches tall and has embroidery floss for hair. Her face is stitched and her cheeks are blushed. Won't you invite her to your 4th of July celebration?

I've had hours of fun making these prim dolls and have plans for many more. All of these dolls are for sale. Email me if you would like to give one of them a good home.