Aesthetics Creative Block Crafting Corner (Join us)

Hello everyone! I had this idea for a community oriented crafting, creative and/or critique type all inclusive project journal where we might gather together to chat about some of our ongoing, difficult or stuck dolls and their projects.

This may seem like a weirdly vague and simultaneously specific idea, but maybe some people here can relate to it. I couldn't find another thread that seemed to completely serve this purpose, but I apologize if this is misplaced or a duplicate.

Does anyone have doll projects you are mentally invested in that are ongoing or on the back burner for too long or you're just having repeated setbacks or even just could benefit from some input or motivation? That's me on a few fronts.

If you would like to join please feel free to dive in and introduce your current project/ dilemma. I think it might be helpful when sharing your process if you specify when important:
Critique ok / no critique / input wanted etc.

Maybe this can be a fun, helpful, low pressure area for judgement free experimentation while trying to get our projects sorted out.

The difference between this thread and a thread for individual projects is mostly just an arena for encouragement, new idea sourcing, and motivation.

 

I'll start off by posting the icon of my perpetual suffering: Marina


IMG 20221230 171406 — Postimages

IMG 20221230 171705 — Postimages

My image host is variable so I'll just link after because I feel like some images often bonk out

So her tenth birthday is coming up in May. She spent almost the first half of her life with me as a very helpful assistant as I was sewing casual fashion for Etsy in those days. A sad side effect was that she never got to develop her own fashion identity. And I've been trying to figure her out in my head since around 2018? I started a project journal for this and then abandoned it because it was too humiliating how I simply keep hating whatever I'm trying to do with her. But this year we will figure it out!!
I just really want to sew a small wardrobe for her that I actually enjoy and is flattering for her so I can leave her out, change her sometimes, and take occasional photos I like as well as the one I posted. This is my vague direction but I'm a bit lost... I think maybe a mix of visual Kei or old school Kpop fashion look is my inspiration I have a concrete idea of her character, just really trying to nail it down in a practical sense.
Open to input for brainstorming

 

Well it will be awesome to have you here in this thread @Eggenthusiast I think i'd be feeling crabby about not having the room to work. Hopefully it gets sorted out soon and you can make some progress.
I always have a kajillion projects ongoing in my head. At this point I have a whole notebook just for doodling things I feel like I'm never going to sew

 

@cosmicakes she sounds like she will be a lot of fun and a great learning experience! The opportunity to learn new crafts is super fun I think. I'm definitely not one for making wigs... I've learned from experience that my money is best spent on a low cost fiber wig vs the materials but that's ok because I feel like ultimately I don't mind not having full control and just shopping for stuff that strikes me in the moment. I love hair so much though, so I'll look forward to seeing your ideas and adventure!

Your buzz cut guy sounds like fun too! I think specialty hair choices for dolls makes them very striking and likeable, so hopefully worth the effort.

 

Thanks @cthulhu that's what I was hoping.

So I started sewing for Marina tonight. I hadn't sewn in a while because I was stuck in an anxiety and fatigue loop. I started listening to more punk music I like again and it was actually cheering me up suddenly. And I started thinking of the characters and art from Nana again, then found a really interesting little article about the characters in Nana, and how their fashions are used symbolically within. It really takes you back into the heart of what conceptual fashion is all about

Nana and Vivienne Westwood: An Ode to Punk Style — sabukaru

I made a successful slip dress after all this thinking that's magenta with black ribbons and lace and it's really cute! I'm very happy with it! Definitely a versatile element to accessorize with and I think the color really suits her. It's made from a cool textured satin-y vintage fabric I got in a destash so that was a fun change of pace.

Part of my problem with building wardrobes is that I get very overwhlemed or lack unifying focus. I also feel like I just mentally don't like outfits with too many seperate pieces because more objects = more overwhelmed so I'm going to have to try to work with myself on this.

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing all these projects @Colorblindcrayons those ideas sound super fun to do with your dolls!

@cosmicakes I thought maybe they meant to make a hard cap wig that then had the flocking on it? Not sure. Do you find the finger feel of flicking upsetting? I know some people really do. Painted on hair looks cool to though I think.

In the end I made two dresses for Marina last night. I must have looked at exactly the right amount of inspiration (and I admit I roped my housemate into supervisng me sifting through fabric, and when I had like three piles I felt excited about he was like: alright you're done, put the rest back in the bin and sew what you are thinking! This made the difference lol)
So anyway I came up with this outfit (which is the second dress) not looking for technical critique but any ideas for future stuff is always good.


IMG 20230123 014154 — Postimages
And both dresses just laid flat:
IMG 20230123 011620 — Postimages

Looking at her in an outfit I like ... It's a good feeling because she is such an enormous pain in my ash. She looks pleased with herself if I may say so

The other dress is the one I mentioned earlier. Just not totally sure how to polish it into a total outfit yet. In this respect sewing really busy dresses has been a great tool for me, because I can take my time visually assembling it once and then I feel like it doesn't need a lot of extra things to pull the outfit together.

Sorry I talk so much. Feel free to glaze over me. I'm just always so insanely excited about doll crafting

 

Yeah fair enough @cosmicakes
and thank you! I have had a good time recently creatively cutting up my bargain lace and adding it on decoratively.

 

I love your fashion inspiration there @Idoru I love fashion so much and it's exciting seeing what other people are into!
Your statement about the hat really tickled me. Sewing for 1/6 is quite difficult, at least I think so. And hats are difficult too! I'm sure you'll be able to get it all figured out the way you want it

 

@lully.lullers she's looking great! All witch looks are wonderful in my book. I like the hats especially.
I apparently lost my poor Fauve's hat so I guess I'll be making a witch hat soon too. Womp.
Hey I have a doll Chateau doll body too. I really love them! As a person who likes dolls dressed basically in colorful sacks I pretty much do the same for her. But I have just been leaving her long limbs as exposed as possible with a short a-line dress since that's the best of both to me. Oh and made her a dress that was partly sheer which gave a lovely effect of fabric draping but body visibility underneath.
When you say you are looking for inspiration I think of some of the old illustrators from the Victorian to 1930s era who favored willowy bodies. Maybe you could find ideas in art? Kay Neilsen might be a bit interesting.

 

How's everyone doing? Spring always seems to unstick me and I have a lot of inspiration and insights on my languishing projects.
For years I've been wanting to make a girl with a gentle Mori influenced style and it's never gone great. But I think I finally figured out the right model for it and I'm midway into her wardrobe now, it's very exciting! So far I have two tops and a skirt done, as well as a slouchy knit hat. All of them salvaged from previous doll wardrobes and I'm modifying where needed (for fit and style). I'm sticking (probably) to a nearly colorless (white, beige, cream) palette with a lot of textures. And I've been looking at inspiration and retooling The style to still look pretty and have layers but be suitable to hot climate and it's just a lot of fun.
Working on a skirt now. Enjoying this pile of lace and subtle prints on neutrals