The High Priestess is a beautiful, young female dancing figure. She is posed on one leg with the other knee raised high. One arm is over her head and the head is bent backward. She wears only a diaphanous silk chiffon gown. Her hair hangs freely down her arched back.

The top photos are of the original High Priestess, an OOAK (One Of A Kind) doll that I made about 16 years ago. I have many requests for a pattern of this doll. I have a new design for that figure using the techniques I have learned since that time (Bottom pictures).

Course description:

Pattern, sewing instructions, fabric, and dream-seamer tool will be sent to students 4 to 6 weeks prior to class. Entire doll skin and head must be stitched prior to class. This class is all about learning new techniques, not completing a doll. Complete instructions to be handed out in class will help students to complete the figure at home. Some advanced students and those who work after class may finish the piece.

Starting with the pre-stitched torso, students will learn to stuff firmly and smoothly. They will learn how to needle-model and stitch a beautiful young female torso. Other techniques learned in this class include; stuffing a muslin "skull" with an overlay of cotton-spandex onto which they will learn to model and stitch dimensional eyes, a feminine nose, jaw, chin and an open mouth. Students will construct a wire armature that extends from the head through the torso and out the standing leg, which is designed, to fit into a wooden base. Instructions are included for making the base. Students will learn how to create expressive feminine hands and insert them into the forearms. Students will also learn to balance the figure to catch the dancer in mid step. Time permitting there will be demonstrations for draping the head to make a custom wig cap and how to weft fiber and apply it to the doll's head.

Class Outline:

Day One: Students will learn to stuff the torso smoothly and firmly. The torso will be closed and needle modeled to form the musculature of a young female dancer. Legs will be trimmed, treated, turned, armatured and stuffed.

Day Two: Will be entirely devoted the head and face. We will stuff the sewn skull and affix the cotton-spandex overlay. The nose, eye-sockets, dimensional eyes, jaw and an open mouth will be modeled and stitched. Ears will be stuffed, needle modeled, stitched and affixed to the head. Students are encouraged to pre-stitch two or more heads. A more advanced student will be able to work a second or even third head while teacher is working with less advanced students.

Day Three: The head will be pinned and stitched to the torso. Hands will be constructed of wire woven and wrapped with floral tape and inserted into sewn, turned "gloves". Arms will armatured and stuffed, assembled and attached to the torso. Legs will be pinned in place using a master drawing as a pattern for accuracy and balance. Time permitting costuming and wigging as well as coloring face and hands and painting boots will be discussed and demonstrated. Unless the entire class is very advanced this is not likely to happen; although teacher will discuss the subject and demo as much as possible while students are working. This is an intense class due to the amount of technique to learn but we do have a lot of fun as well.

Kit Contents:

• Book of instructions and pattern for Mimi's unpublished High Priestess "Drawing Down the Moon"
• Enough fabric for two or more dolls
• Dream-seamer tool
• Enough cotton spandex for several heads
• Four special needles
• Armature wire and tape for wrapping (16 gauge)
• Copper wire and wrapping for hands (20 gauge)
• Use of classroom supplies

Please note that this year I have added $5 to the kit costs to cover the increased cost of shipping each kit priority mail and for shipping and flying with supplies. This is my first increase in 20 years.

NOTE: Kits are optional. If student feels no need for a kit I will not supply one. If classroom is in a shop the shop may wish to stock supplies for retailing to students. I will be pleased to share suppliers with shop buyer. If kits are not wanted there will be a $15 fee to cover cost of pattern and instruction book and for use of classroom supplies. Fee is payable in class.

Classroom Supplies: Supplied by Mimi

• Grrrip Glue
• Glue applicators with special tips
• Swiss Metrosene and nylon beading and drapery thread
• Extra needles 4 sizes -to replace bent or lost ones
• Heavy-duty wire cutters, small wire cutters and pliers
• Steel wire and brass wire
• Channel locker pliers
• White floral tape
• Straight pins and quilting pins
• Paint and brushes
• Colored pens and pencils
• Hemostats in several sizes
• Resin sculpts,(study aides), of eyes, noses mouths and ears

Student Brings:

• Pre-sewn body parts (no sewing machine is needed.)
• Your favorite stuffing and sewing tools
• Optivisor if you need one
• Hemostats, 5 and 7 inch straight Kellies
• Wire cutters Needle nosed pliers
• 16 gauge wire from home depot (steel clothesline wire)
• 20 gauge brass wire for hand armatures (from jewelry making department of craft shop)
• White florist tape (also from craft shop)
• Grrrip glue and applicator with special tip (available from Dollmakersjourney.com)
• Mettler Swiss Metrosene thread, off white color
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• urple air-soluble marker, NOT the blue one.
• A work light if you need one and an extension cord
• A pillow to make the chair comfortable

It would be helpful if a blackboard or whiteboard with markers or chalk would be provided in the classroom. If not available an easel and a large drawing pad would be appreciated.

Pattern and instructions mailed to each individual student 4 to 6 weeks prior to class, or to class coordinator to be given to student upon registration.

Copyright © Jim and Gloria Winer.
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