Prototyping
On my desk today – rag doll designs. I am trying to make a new doll shape and it’s driving me crazy! I came up with just the right proportions this afternoon only to think, “gee this looks familiar” and I fished out my copy of Hilary’s Make-Along-Story pattern and low and behold the shape of the body was almost the spitting image of Olive’s dress. And the head, while a slightly different shape, was about the same size too.
So it’s back to the drawing board and time to get out my old friend the seam ripper.
I am trying to get something a little bit vintage raggedy-anne, and totally appealing and altogether “me”.
As my mum said to me, I think I am trying to hard.
Also – do you see the little glimmer of that crochet rug on the book cover? Fabulous! I am dreaming in crochet most nights.
I think I like your mum. That crochet rug is magnificent…sweet treble dreams Claire.
I agree with Leah,I think it is all in the face, the hair and the clothes.I have also made a few cloth dolls. I do pages and pages of faces, and they all look slightly different. But are hard to recreate on the doll to look the same as on the paper.I just wish I knew more interesting ways to make durable, kid friendly hair!
If you make it, we will love it!
it’s so hard to come up with new softie design, isn’t it? i’ve faced the exact same problem in the last couple of months – an idea of the perfect doll, only to realise it’s heavily influenced by someone elses fabulous work that i’d been coveting months back. there are just too many wonderful designs out there… *sigh*
ha! your sketchbook looks like mine. except, of course, a gazillion times cuter. we are on the same raggedy wavelength. and funny that you’re on a crochet kick.. I was just trying to crochet doll hair today. I can never seem to get the hang of crochet. I can get a few rows in and then it’s so bunched I can’t get my hook through anymore. I think that probably says something about my personality ;)anyway, don’t let olive stand in your way. I get all bunched up about doll shapes too and it isn’t healthy. let the dolls be free!
xo
Right after I noticed those sweet sketches I thought…take a looky at that rug!
I just had a conversation with my husband about designing something and the uncertainty of not knowing if someone else has already designed something similar. It happens all the time, very frustrating. I’m sure you will find the perfect shape soon.I’m loving these books too. great inspiration.
What a coincidence. I’m working on a softie girl too. She is nearly finished too. Good luck with yours 🙂
Whatever doll you end up designing, you know it will only ever look like a Loobylu doll!And I’m glad you’re dreaming in crochet. Told you it was addictive!
sometimes when you leave something alone for a bit your mind will just come up with a solution for you ~ like magic ~ … crocheting sounds like the perfect distraction from ‘trying too hard’ ;)(btw: I love that the shape of your prototype looks to me like a keyhole – lovely).
Your design path sounds remarkably similar to my usual route! It involves deciding to try something new, or coming back to something after a creative dry period. I start working on something and either consciously or unconsciously it ends up like somebody elses design or something I did a while back… I have accepted that it is not a bad thing, it is just the first step. It is the “inspired by” step. By going through the process of making the piece, the crafting will spark new ideas that will make the next doll unique to you. Well, that is my theory anyway :-)And, the first wool doll I made?- totally Rosa Pomar.
Ack, I’ve drawn pages and pages of little softies too only to find it looks similar to something I’ve seen before…perhaps I’m trying too hard as well 🙁
I think you’re uber talented Claire. Your illustrations are simply amazing.
Did you see Hillary’s new Raggedy Ann? Spooky how you two are thinking along the same lines. 😉 Creative minds think alike!
I love your old loobylu dolls! You should sell the pattern–I would definately buy it!(I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago–and I had to read the archives just to look for the cat factory!)
I’m sure your new doll will be every bit as cute!
My daughter and i have booked in with my 91 year old Grandma for a crocheting lesson!
Gah!I share your frustration. I’ve been trying to draft a pattern for exactly the same thing for bloody ages….
I think the thing to remember though, is that even though the shape might be similar ( how can it not? The basic doll is almost a universal pattern) the individuality really comes out in how you embellish it.
We could all start with exactly the same pattern and create totally different dolls. At least, this is what I tell myself when I feel like every drawing I do is referenced somewhere else.
Love the crochet rug.
Leah xx
Hi,really enjoyed checking out yr blog and the fact u call it a scapbook…….I decided mine was going to be an online scapbook and journal of my daily activities in singapore…..my last year before I come home to melbourne. I was interested to join your Friday Archives. Can I play?
Your sketches are great. I love that your committed to make sure that all of your designs are truly your own.
yay- love them- i love old school raggy- I miss it- did you know they have revamped even strawberry shortcake now and given her a blow out and a cell phone! agh!
Hey we’re twins…I dream in crochet too! Love your blog, it’s very happy and bright.
I so feel you on the working out the doll pattern. I have been working on a doll and my first attempt has some very wonky arms! Yikes. Nothing really at all like I envisioned. Can’t wait to see what the next attempts turn out to look like.Also, a big thanks for your post on stencils. I just had some success on that project thanks to your post. Have a great time in Canada!
I would love to buy a loobylu doll. Does anyone have one? I’m almost certain, though, that it would be impossible to part with. Just the same, I have to ask…..