Friday, August 1, 2014

Elizabeth half doll pincushion Update!

Hello stitching friends! We are melting right now - 106 to 108 today. ooooh yes the AC is on!
I finished stitching the skirt of Elizabeth Half Doll Pincushion. Also I started the assembling for it.
I worked on this last evening and was surprised how much I was able to get done. Mostly I spent more time on reading and re-reading the instructions and sooo happy to say I didn't need to rush to Joann's for any additional supplies like I thought I would.  Very heavy with photos so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and here we go......

 Finished the 2 upper bands of the skirt.

 All done with cross stitching. 

 Now for the assembling. Made the 4" circle of cardboard and glued it to the felt. Then I just did some long stitches to keep the felt down rather than more cutting and gluing. Next was the making of the underskirt what I call the cylinder. OH BOY! I just was concerned to cut my green duponi silk and make errors. So I cut a trial piece of fabric to experiment. Worked for me!!! Really I just folded the trial fabric and pretended it was sewn and actually pinned it around the felt circle bottom to see if indeed there was enough fabric to fit around. YES there was. So then I felt confident to cut my silk. Done.

Folded in the silk to make a hem (but didn't stitch down left only folded). Whip stitched the silk to the felt bottom.

 A view of the inside.

 I measured my fabric making sure to follow the instructions and have a height of 7". Great!

 Here's where I made a change. I didn't stitch the seam on the side first. I pinned it closed and stitched it afterwards. This photo shows the gathering stitch all along the top of the cylinder.

After the top was gathered stitched I slip stitched the side seam closed.
And by the way I did have a nice overlap so there was plenty of fabric according to the instructions.

Had a set of chopsticks that so far is the correct height for the doll. I had a dowel stick for back up just in case. I was very surprised that the chop sticks are perfect! 

Just a test after gathering the green silk at the waist. Not stuffed yet! So far so good!

Photo of wrong side out!!!
The right sides are facing are each other.
Now for the attaching of the skirt to the lining. I used a  lt blue Duponi silk.

 Wrong side of silk pinned to the stitched linen for the lining of the skirt.


NOTE: I stitched 4 threads down from the design and NOT 2 as the instructions suggested. I knew when it came time to turn right side out & iron the seam would take up some of the linen. And I was right.
I hand sewed all around attaching the linen & silk. NO WAY was I going to sew this with my machine..... SO HAPPY I DIDN'T. I was able to keep control of the 2 fabrics and did not have a chance of stitching too close to the design.

 Full view of stitching 4 threads down to make the skirt.
Finished stitching by hand all around the design early this morning (Friday).

 This is the right side showing after turning inside out and pinned for ironing.

I took my time and carefully rolled the seam to show some edging of the linen, then pinned it down.

Getting ready to iron in between the pins to make sure everything was lined up correctly.

Left lots of fabric on the top will trim after I measure according to the instructions.

TA DA!!! All ironed and ready to continue the assembling. Hopefully over this weekend I can get it done.
Going to check to see of others who are stitching this SAL have any updates.

While writing this post my computer went blank. Now its behaving.....And Thanks to Beth I did back up all my files before finishing this post. While trying to get this laptop working I have been stitching on Ann Dale sampler again.
Thank you for your visit. With love and my appreciation - Annette

30 comments:

Kaisievic said...

She is going to be stunning when she is finished.

Hazel said...

Wow that looks complicated! Nice job. X

Lee said...

That certainly looks as if it is going together smoothly look forward to the finished result

Marilyn said...

Oh, you did a great job on her, stitching and finishing.
She's is soooooooo pretty!
Thanks for sharing your progress.
Marilyn

krayolakris said...

Beautiful work! Great job!

Vickie said...

Oh I enjoyed reading each and every step here. Wow, she is going to be stunning. :)

gracie said...

Just getting my Elizabeth ready for cutting the linen and so I can start stitching. Your doll is looking lovely. A question for you....did you cut your linen to their measurements or did you start stitching a particular measurement down on the side...hope I am making sense....

Shirlee said...

This will be gorgeous!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Its looking really good Annette! Great job!

Also, the 4 stitches versus the 2 looks like a great decision. Looking forward to seeing more!

KimM said...

Stunning.
xxx

Carol said...

I'm so looking forward to seeing the finished doll pincushion, Annette--she is growing beautifully :)

Unknown said...

Looking good Annette, love your work!

Love Linda

Teresa S. said...

Looking fabulous! I just got my fabric this week and will be getting started soon.

Hetti said...

It seems very complicated but with the clear pictures, I understand it all Annette. The Silk and the color of the stitching are made for each other!! Beautiful!!
XXX Hetti

Unknown said...

I follow your blog since I saw your comment on my "petite carnet d'ouverages" by Ellen Chester. I am making a doll of Giulia Manfredini (Grethel). I've already done 2 pincushion dolls. Congratulations, you're very good . Thanks for your photos. I share your difficulty, but the result is very satisfying

Lulu said...

Beautiful work! I can't wait to see her all finished :)

Barb said...

Just beautiful Annette. The skirt is going to be spectacular! I would be very challenged to get it together.

Beth said...

So complex...far beyond my skill set Annette. Glad computer working once again.

Brigitte said...

WOW! Your pictures are so perfect that even I could make it through the individual steps. Great! I'm looking forward to seeing how you procede.

Justine said...

Beautiful...you are so clever! Thanks for sharing your tips.

CalamityJr said...

She's going to be lovely. I really enjoyed your finishing photos. What I really need to know, though, is what is that gorgeous thread on the border???

Linda said...

A talent in it self just to do the finishing. Beautiful finishing job Annette. You are amazing.

Linda

Margaret said...

Wow, you're doing a great job with this! It's wonderful!

Annie said...

What great step by step photos. This looks like a tricky project, but it's going so well. Can't wait to see the finish!

Akila said...

Wow, so beautiful. Love the bright fabric you selected

miek said...

it really is beautiful, and i love all the motives and border. you did sew it very nicely. i can`t wait to see it finished (with photo`s?) ;-)
greetings miek

valerie said...

Wow, Elizabeth looks fantastic so far! I love the detailed photos. I just went to NiaH on Saturday to pick up the magazine and order the finishing kit. I didn't order anything else since I don't have time to stitch it yet but am having fun seeing everyone's progress. Can't wait to see the big reveal!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Annette, this was fascinating to read. I'm not doing the doll but have been watching the progress of yours and Amy's. Looks great!

Margie said...

I was so glad to see a photo of the back side of your work. It is so rare to see a blogger post a photo like that and I spent quite a bit of time with the back and front photos open in two windows, studying how your laid out your stitches. I am new to stitching and am currently working on my first sampler and I learned quite a bit. Thanks for being brave, as I think many people are afraid of being judged as imperfect. Your work is lovely.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Wow, your doll is looking amazing. It is so interesting to see all the photos of the different steps in making her. Complicated but you make it seem simple and clear.

I'm enjoying seeing the photos of the different dolls the other people are stitching too.