A Three-Day Class

• For Advanced Skill Level
• Class Size Limited to Twelve Students

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 masculine abs and pects. 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 masculine 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 masculine hands and insert them into the forearms. Students will also learn to balance the figure to catch the dancer in mid-leap. Time permitting there will be demonstrations for draping the figure to create patterns for costuming, for making a custom skin wig, and how to weft fiber and apply it to the doll's head for other types of wigging.

Note:If this proposal is for a multi-class symposium teacher is willing to do a two to three hour demo for draping a stuffed figure to create patterns for clothing and/or wigs at an event of mini classes and demonstrations at no additional charge.

Class Outline

• Day 1:
  Students will make a wrapped wire armature; insert it into the sewn torso and stuff firmly and smoothly around the armature. The torso will be closed and needle modeled to form the musculature of a male dancer. Legs will be trimmed, treated, turned and stuffed.
• Day 2:
  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 3:
  The head will be pinned and stitched to the torso. Hands will be constructed of wire and floral tape and inserted into sewn, turned "gloves". Arms will be 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 try to 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 not yet published "Spartacus"
• One full yard of Southern Belle muslin enough for two dolls
• Enough cotton spandex for several heads
• Four special needles
• Airtex Premium stuffing
• Armature wire and tape for wrapping (16 gauge)
• Copper wire and wrapping for hands (20 gauge)
• d Use of classroom supplies

Kit Cost: $30 (a $40 value) 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 almost 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 $10 fee to cover cost of pattern and instruction book and for shipping classroom supplies to venue. Fee is payable in class.

Classroom Supplies Supplies: Supplied by Mimi

• Optivisors
• Hemostats in several sizes
• Airtex Premium polyfil stuffing
• Textile Medium
• Grrrip Glue
• Glue applicators with special tips
• Swiss Metrosene and nylon drapery thread
• Extra needles 4 sizes
• Heavy-duty wire cutters, small wire cutters and pliers
• Steel wire and copper wire
• Channel locker pliers
• White floral tape
• Straight pins and quilting pins
• Paint and brushes
• Colored pens and pencils

Student Brings

• Pre-sewn body parts (If homework is done no sewing machine is needed.)
• Your favorite stuffing and sewing tools
• Optivisor
• Hemostats, 5 and 7 inch straight Kellies
• Pre-sewn body parts (If homework is done no sewing machine is needed.)
• Wire cutters
• 16 gauge wire from home depot (steel clothesline wire)
• Needle nosed pliers
• 20 gauge copper 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
• Purple 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

If student does not already own everything on list I urge them not to rush out to purchase it. I will have some of everything in class for student use. And some is provided in kit.

Copyright © Jim and Gloria Winer.
You may make a copy of this article for your own personal use.
Copying for commercial purposes is prohibited.