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| Larger Doll |
Well, this time I am working on reorganizing the basement and trying to keep things organized as I work on projects. So I found a box with some class materials. Even though I only do kit classes for six persons per class. People did not attend the classes despite the preparation. I had one kit class for coif and another for dolls over 5 years ago, so it’s not a new class.
I was disappointed at the time regarding the lack of attendance. Although when I teach a class I know now to be specific in on-time scheduling so the class I teach has a better opportunity to be attended later in the day. SCA time tends to not have folks show up right when an event first begins so early classes are not well attended.
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| Vintage Doll Kits |
So while in the reorganizing spirit. I reclaimed my materials from the kits and am going to assemble the dolls from the six kits. Will also review my directions to see about creating a pattern of my own. The porcelain doll kits available were good for small dolls. So far are turning out 1/2 the size, I am thinking there might need to be some tweaking between 6” to 8” in height.
Working out the kinks is important as I don’t want small or large head syndrome with these dolls. Scale is tricky for smaller dolls as notions and trims become smaller and need more consideration in the planning stages. Right now focusing on the body proportions as it is the base for the clothing layers later on. I do have one larger doll I am waiting on the porcelain kit in the mail yet but the body is assembled.
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| Sets of twins |
Update the dolls are now assembled with linen bodies and ploy stuffing with a wooden base at the bottom for support, weight, and stability. The wired arms do really help give them more life-like pose-ability to the doll. This does prove the Tudor Child doll pattern accurate also the Extant fashion doll from Stockholm's Armors Museum body is all wired. It’s supported in a few different ways through sources, the kits luckily had the wire for this purpose. I have other armature wires if need for future dolls as well. Really am enjoying how they turned out at this point in the process.
I will probably need to repaint the other redhead and blonde kit, debating on having three sets of identical twins for fun. These were the right size for the smaller dolls so sometimes you have to be creative to work with what is available. Also, hats and headdresses will help differentiate the dolls too. Lots to think about which is the most fun part of the process. All are assembled right now and waiting to be dressed, linen shift under layers can be created and used for all socio-economic classes. So I can work on those simple garments in the meantime. Till I decide on the outfit and details more to come on that is when inspiration decides to strike. The muse sometimes takes a bit for me to find what I want to do.
Well, inspiration clubbed me over the head this morning! As she is want to do it and has me thinking of outfits for these dolls, that are fun-size at 6". The Unicorn Tapestry, I don't have dolls from 1490 to 1500 represented in my current collection, except for one Milan 1490's Italian fashion doll. So going to select outfits from the various tapestries in the Lady and the Unicorn series, which is in Cluny France. I have embroidered these from a kit making 4 panels of this series to show needlepoint and how it can be used for decorative effects. They were Dimensions patterned kits made by a commercial company. Although learned a lot and have some really cool wall hanging as a result.
The Met 5th Avenue in NYC has the Hunt of the Unicorn tapestry series. I have seen the Met's unicorn tapestry in person, they are stunning. I will go through my pictures for good-resolution images, as I only have about 4 outfits from the Lady and the Unicorn series. I will try to replicate the outfits with accessories like hats and belts. Here are some images I have collected and have come from other tapestries from about the same time frame, will have to make some decisions. Although lots of time to make decisions and no rush. I have some jacquard tapestries from the Hunt for the Unicorn series. Will see about pictures of the outfits from that and see if it's what I want to do on which doll.
Here are some detailed images of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry outfits. Lots of really pretty colors and patterned fabrics to choose from. I am seeing many colors of red, blue, and gold with damask floral contrast in the underskirt that displays through the sides of the garments that are lined in some contrasting colors. All for conspicuous consumption to show wealth, as that was the Medieval preference for noble and royal garb.
Tapestries were also a way of showing wealth being able to decorate your home with these as they were not cheap to produce and took time and talent to create. King Henry VIII was also known for his love of tapestries and many are still in Hampton Court Palace although faded over the centuries. The tapestries would have really been bright colors when new. Would have livened up the walls.
One of the other ways that Tudor folks made their homes more interesting. While being on a more restrictive budget was having the walls painted with designs. These would be custom ordered to the owners liking. This would be something a middle-class merchant would do to have done, it was not as cheap as you are paying an artist for their skills. Although much less so than a cost of a tapestry wall hanging. The painted design could be flowers, heraldry, and any sort of artistic preference. Many had symbolism and meaning just as was the custom of portraiture at the time. The items included in a painting had more meaning than just the image itself. Many of these would be near entrances or entertaining spaces where guests would have seen them.
So we shall see how the dolls and their outfit and accessories go in the creation process. I will be sure to post the inspiration image along with the results as they are completed. This is not going to be something that will be done soon. May take the remainder of the year between working on the waistcoat project. I do have more than one project going at one time to keep from getting bored. It may take longer to get something done but none of this is on a time crunch or any deadline. It's for me and will eventually be completed, it takes one step at a time to get it to turn out just like the picture.
All Inspired,
Maureen
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