Wearables A cart (or two) from Hobbiton - various Hobbits and a Dwarf

Cheers! I'll keep you guys posted. (Actually I'm half expecting an invoice any day now, it's been two months and Iple usually has the dolls done before a three-month layaway is through ...)

While sorting through the (non-doll) fabric stash, I came across some thin white weave that might just work for the boys' shirts ... pic coming up tomorrow (if I can find anything again after tidying up the whole place), as it's way past bedtime again - oops!

 

Any time! I'm so happy you're having fun (And I absolutely love the Ents. "Not so hasty, little orcs!")

I'm paying off the little non-orcs any day now! Paycheck is just about due. Apparently Iple stopped sending out invoices when dolls on layaway are ready to ship (judging by the accumulation of reports in the Waiting Room of shipping notices going out moments after the last payment went through), or I might have tried to get them home quicker ... then again, work is pretty much all the crazy at the moment, so I wouldn't have had time to do anything with them. I'm expecting them to ship next Monday and get here about a week after, when things should have calmed down a little. (I'm also planning on restocking Purity Seal tomorrow. I'm completely out of sealant and I've got way too much resin on order for that.)

 

Well ... looks like Iple is closed for a week due to a holiday. "Not so hasty" indeed - they heard that! Oh well. Doesn't really matter, as long as they get here before the end of May everything's shiny.

 

They're on their way!

 

The Hobbits are on their merry way from central customs to the local office - they should be here next Tuesday, tops. (Jaziel, on the other hand, has been stuck "awaiting release from Russia" in St Petersburg for a week tomorrow. I get he's a Saint and he's gorgeous, but would you kindly let him go? I'd rather only have to drive out to local customs once and pick him up together with the Hobbits ...)

I've been thinking back and forth over Folco's clothes. On the one hand I'd love to have something on hand to put him in, on the other I'd rather not need to re-make stuff if it ends up not fitting. And he's the one on the (slimmer) model body, so if it's too tight for him it absolutely won't fit Holman on the muscle body (whenever he'll get ordered).
I also didn't get around to picking up new Purity Seal yet - will do this Saturday. Then as soon as there's time faceups will happen.

 

According to tracking, they've arrived at the local office. Also, it wasn't Jaz who was stuck, but tracking. I'm sorely tempted to drive out to the office tomorrow before heading off for the weekend, just to try and ransom them (and see if Jaz happens to be there as well) ...

 

No dice ... Made the mistake of calling first. Should not have done that. Stupid German bureaucracy

 

And we're playing the postal game again - had a family get-together this weekend so I missed the mail on Saturday, so that the ransom letter (which as of late requires signing for) is now being held at a post office 10km in the wrong direction. I'm not intending to go get it. I'll show up at the customs office without the letter, quoting the guy saying I had to wait for the letter to be sure my parcel is really there. He never said a thing about actually bringing the letter. You won't be keeping my hobbits from me any longer than absolutely necessary!

 

They're home!

 

Thank you! One of the waistcoat patterns I was afraid would still be too small after enlarging it some does actually fit (looks like it anyway, I cut it out and held it to him and it should work), so poor Folco will get something of his own soon.

As for sizes, these two are on the Model boy body (the slimmer option) and the "glamour" size girl (I've known Iple for years and still find that terminology somewhat ridiculous ), the other two will be Muscle boy body and large size respectively. Like that there'll be a bit of variation, but the first two will still be able to serve as sewing models while the others are on their way.

 

Bonus: Fabrics and (potential) hair!



I'm pretty sure I'll stick to the blonde Mohair for Violetta. I considered dark brown, but now I'm not so sure - besides I don't think I have enough of the dark brown left. For Folco I'll try curled Suri - it already worked with larger curls in SD size, I think I can use smaller "rollers" for a hobbity curlsplosion look.

 

Wigs are in progress! For Folco's I'm doing the exact opposite of what I usually do, and making it as thick and dense as possible, for the 'splosion part. With the mohair one I need to be a bit more careful because I don't have unlimited supplies ... but that's already curly, so at least I don't need to guesstimate the length I'll need.

I keep changing my mind about which of the ladies is which. On the one hand I thought Leona looked more Took-ish, on the other I really want Kyle and Cecile to be a couple ... maybe faceups will clear things up a bit. I'd get started, but it's seriously humid and I doubt even Purity Seal could function in these conditions. So wigs get to come first.
I'm saving the cutoffs from the glued ends for feet fuzz, I hope that works. I'd love to give them larger feet ... but I don't think switcheroos would work this time, as their ankle joints will be visible at all times so they'd need to fit perfectly.

 

Sooo I've been busy today! Poor Folco still has his hair in rollers (and I'll spare him the embarassment of sharing that), but Cecile's (I'll just stick to her sculpt name until I've figured out who she is) wig is done, she's got her eyes in, her skirt has been finished and the apron is nearly done. Folco's vest is in progress, I've come up with a trousers pattern (again, I'm glad I waited because boy would any guess of mine have been off!) and I'm looking at pics of Bilbo online to figure out the rest. The vest pattern is a slightly enlarged version of this one, I think I made it 20% larger to fit JID? It's not quite form-fitting, but nice enough. I might add a back belt to gather the extra fabric a bit, if there even is any extra once he gets his shirt to wear underneath.
Pics coming up later - I'll rather have artificial light and both hobbits dressed than one nice, one horrible pic

 

Here they are!


With their default eyes, nifty new wigs and mostly wearable clothes. Folco's suspenders have only been pinned so far (because I haven't decided on a way to fix them) and his vest is pinned too because I still need to make the lining. Cecile's outfit is ready to roll.
Right now I'm back to thinking she's Poppy (to be paired with Holman - Edwin - whenever he happens).

Up next, depending on the weather: Either a wig for Leona and yet another outfit, or faceups for everyone

 

Thank you!

Bonus - poor Folco before the hair-curling. Never lose confidence in a wig until it's completely done, styled and all!

 

Trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with the suspenders ... buttons? Snaps? Velcro? Something else entirely?
Any thoughts on the subject?


On another note, I've looked at some movie snaps again and Bilbo's shirts seem to be of the basic, all-rectangles fantasy shirt variety. That's good news right there! Shirts will happen some time next week.

 

The vest is (structurally) done:


It won't quite close around his chest. So I'll be making fake button holes and buttons, and it'll be worn open.
(I also ironed Cecile's apron while I was at it. -.-° Couldn't get the centre crease out, but it looks so much better. Sometimes I'm a terrible doll mum.)

 

LOL and thank you so much @One-Winged Angel! I would never have thought of thread loops, but that sounds like a feasible (even quickish) solution for everyday ones.

@Ellidyr oh, that really is fancy. I do like the look, though ... but I think I'd rather stick to one button per side if I want these to work with different pairs of trousers, or I'd have to get the buttons exactly the same on each pair

I'll need to check if I even have buttons that small. But I do have leftovers of faux suede ribbon ... this could get interesting.

 

Cecile needs smaller eyes. Leona's eyes are larger, so she'll get the defaults that came with Cecile, and I'll need to get my hands on a pair of 10mm or smaller for Cecile ... and maybe for Folco too, I'm not sure.
I've prepped them for faceups (quick rub-down with nail polish remover to take care of any potential mold release residue, then some mild dish soap and clear water to take care of the nail polish remover), now they're drying and I hope to get them sealed today.

Bonus - Hobbit and Elf

 

Faceups!


Up next: Wigs for Leona and my freshly arrived Dollshe Saint head Jaz.

 

Leona's wig is done except for the curling! Pics tomorrow, with curls and in decent light (or so I hope).

Bonus: Preview

 

Update - as I hoped, the girls sorted out the question who they are by themselves.
Meet Leona as Poppy Proudfoot:


Meaning these clothes are hers, and Violetta (Cecile) will be entered in the Sewing Project. I also hope to get Folco's shirt done today, all the parts are ready and I even had a plan on how to get most of them done as pillowcase seams because the fabric is super thin and fray-happy. If I'm lucky I'll remember it.

 

Note(s) to self:
- no collar on Folco's shirt.
- Sleeves are straight, not ruffled, according to Bilbo's from the Hobbit movies.
- skirts are ruffled rather than pleated.

 

WIP of Violetta's summer dress! Huge because I somehow managed to make the fabric's pattern show up. Not entirely sure how that happened.


It's a bit thicker as I hoped it would be, probably because the lining is too heavy for hobbit scale. Oh well ... can't be helped now. Maybe if I find matching colour thread I can flatten it down a bit by topstitching or something.

 

aww thank you! I'm happy you like them! I'll be spamming them loads, promise

 

Side thought - I really have this forum to thank for the sewing stuff. I learned loads from people like Teddy, cthulhu, MB Lilac &co ... and I keep on learnin', compared to those guys I've still got quite a way to go. But here's a big huge THANK YOU to everyone sharing their expertise!

... which brings me to the next question. Violetta needs a chemise to go under the dress (the one she's currently wearing goes with Poppy's outfit). I'd like to make something a bit more fancy, with decorative ruffles on the sleeves and all that. No lace because it would look weird with the pattern on the dress.
Should I go with the crincle fabric again, or the flat thin cotton I'm making Folco's shirt from? Has anyone ever made ruffled hems with crincle - do they stay ruffly or puff out?

 

Not a hobbit, but someone arrived in the Shire today:


Hobbit and Elf for scale. Everyone, meet Kori - a travelling Dwarf who'll join my gang of Middle-Earthlings once he gets a hairdo

 

Right?? I never even knew about the Rouse sculpt because he was limited. I was going back and forth over Lester, then this guy randomly showed up on the MP and I was like "That's the dwarf we're looking for!"

His armour is part of his fullset, I think - he came with it and he'll wear it until I get his proper things made. Or he might keep it, not sure yet - it really is awesome. And look what he's wearing underneath, cracked me up like nobody's business:

 

LOL you and me both!
Thank you I'm super happy I found him. He's still drying, once he's strung up again I'll start making his wig and beard.

 

Thanks!

 

Kori got a wig!


This is three times as much alpaca as I normally put in one wig. Completely new experience, going for an extra-shaggy look I'll braid parts of it, too. And he needs his beard ... hopefully tomorrow, and ideally after I do his faceup so I can just leave the beard on instead of having to stick it on again.

 

It's faceup weather today, so that's definitely happening. Then once that's done, I'll tackle the beeeeard

 

Faceup preview!



One clean-shaven dwarf. Up next: Beard

 

lol @rosalynmouse!


Getting there ... I've added some more hair to the sides, it doesn't show but the beard and wig are overlapping. What I couldn't figure out (yet) is how to get the fiber to stick in the groove above his lips ... not sure if I want to leave it like this. There's one idea I haven't tried yet, maybe that'll work.

I'm starting to think he needs his own thread after all ...

 

And yet another update (cross-posted to his BO thread and the Vito discussion) - his hair is done!


Complete with the tiniest french braid ever hiding in his beard. He's not quite as hairy as Gimli, but it's enough hair to no longer fit into his default helmet

 

Last update for today - Kori got some proper pants. No more leather speedos for the time being

 

I've started on a pair of vambraces for Kori:


They're made of soft leather with felt backing so they won't stain his arms if he ever wears them without sleeves underneath. I'm sewing a blanket stitch around the edges even though they're glued together, to further secure the layers and to keep them from peeling apart once I punch holes for the laces in (buckles would be more dwarvish, but I have a pretty clear idea how those should look and I don't think that's feasible in doll scale) and because it looks a lot more finished. Unfortunately all my leather needles have disappeared, so I'm messing up my fingers sewing leather with a regular needle I am not a smart woman. Oh well. Anything for cool BJD accessories.

 

Kori agrees!

As for the rest of his armour ... unlike Fili here Kori is not a warrior, but I'm still thinking a leather whatsit like Fili is wearing (although not as fancy, maybe with some metal, but not that much), definitely a similar shirt underneath and absolutely a belt! For that I might even get in-scale buckles as they're pretty clunky-looking anyway.

 

Adapted the thread title to properly reflect what's hiding inside - and realized I forgot to keep the overview posts on page 1 up to date, so I fixed that.
I also started Kori's boots last night - as in, cut out the soles and covered the inner ones in muslin. I want the boots to be leather, but I'm afraid it will stain, so they'll either need to be lined, or he needs socks. (Raise your hand if you've just pictured Thorin Oakenshield sporting patterned, grandma-knitted woollen socks. *raises hand*) And on the subject of Thorin, look at that footwear. Look at it. My goodness. Dwarves are something, but warrior Dwarves are something else.

What I'm still not quite sure about is his shirt. I know the style, but I'm starting to think I should have used something else for the trousers so I could have made the shirt from the dark green instead ... I don't have that many doll-scale fantasy fabrics. Another stash dive might happen. I'm also unsure about the shirt's lacing - I might want to have it close in the back, maybe add fake closures in front, as the back will be invisible beneath his armour anyway.

Bonus: Kori wearing the vambraces (laced with ribbon because I don't have anything more suitable at the moment), standing on the soles pressing the glue down.

 

I thought about it. But Kori is not a warrior, so that might be a bit over the top ... then again, I've found that the toes are the trickiest bit for me to get to look nice, so putting a square cap over them might be a pretty simple solution. Everyone else's seem to be round-toed. But they're definitely going to be large, as I'll use real leather for them instead of fabric / faux suede.