Working on a Geisha Doll Commission!!!

Hi there!  I've been diligently working on my geisha doll commission for several days.  I kept trying a few different prototypes before finally coming up with something that I thought worthy of pursuing:)  You see, I had no clue how I was going to make the 'doll'...but figured out something I think suits my talents best...so the doll will be the best I can offer my friend and customer.  I also love the organic process of letting things come together, rather that totally planning them out from the beginning.  All this fiddling around---and you end up with something really original.  That's a terrific part of the puttering through until you find what works.  It's also a little jog for the brain...a brain teaser so to speak...like, ok, what now?

At this point, her face is not done, but I am happy enough with it to wait until later to tweak it!  This is just a loose piece of muslin fabric.

In this step, I placed the face on the master piece of fabric backed with batting and free motion stitched an outline around it.  I left room at the top of the head for some stuffing to make the face stand out...a little more doll-like:) 

The neck was then outlined with thread as well (still free motion stitching) and a little stuffing was put inside.  The bottom of the neck was left open. 

Since the geisha's head was so large, I had to double the length of the piece.  So I made an exact copy of the first piece of heavy muslin backed with bamboo batting and sewed it to the bottom of the first.  The plain fabric was then stamped, heat set, and a wash of gold colored acrylic paint was put over most of the fabric.  The unpainted part will not be seen once the doll has her kimono attached!

So, that's it for now.  Stay tuned!!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Cynthia