Thimblena Doll Softie

Victoria Zimenkova

Final size:

14cm (51/2in)

USD $7.57

Beginner

Sewing

For USD $7.57 you get

Easy to print at home digital pattern sheet

Simple step-by-step instructions to follow

Detailed images and diagrams

How it works

Digital patterns and classes are delivered straight to your inbox for you to download/watch instantly
You receive lifetime access to any digital pattern or video tutorial purchased
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Cosy values

Digital patterns and instructions are quality, trialled and tested and guaranteed to work
Brought to you by Australia’s Homespun and Quilters Companion magazines

Description

Victoria Zimenkova’s teeny-weeny doll stands only 14cm (51/2in) tall – what a cutie! This doll pattern pares back the detail to keep the design uncluttered, but even so, Thimbelina wears belted dress, shoes and plaits in her generously long hair. A charming gift for a child or an adult doll collector or just because.

A comprehensive materials list ensures that you’ll have everything you need to complete this project
Detailed step-by-step instructions illustrated with lots of close-up photographs lead you through each stage of the project from preparing the templates, cutting the fabrics, constructing the doll, making the clothing and adding the hair through to stuffing and adding the finishing touches
All shapes are provided full size on the pattern sheet, ready to trace
Personalise the doll with your choice of fabrics, yarns and hairstyles
Includes Victoria’s expert hints and tips
The small size of this doll means that she doesn’t take much fabric to create
Suitable for intermediate crafters. Some previous experience of making softies or cloth dolls is recommended

Materials

Designer

Victoria Zimenkova

Why do you make softies? I didn’t play dolls in my childhood. I liked drawing, sewing and knitting and never played with dolls. But now I have a little daughter who inspires me, and I started making dolls for her to play with.

Have you tried plenty of others? Yes. I was involved in a jewellery making.

If you weren’t doing this, what would occupy your time? It’s hard to say. Before I became a full-time crafter, I was working at the big company as a marketer. So maybe that would be my main business.

Who taught you your crafting skills? I learned everything by myself. Thank God there is so much information in the Internet.

What does this craft mean to you? It means almost everything to me. I do what I love to do. And it makes me feel happy. My family and my craft are the most important things for me.

Is it hard to find time to do your designing and stitching or is it a profession? This craft became my profession about one year ago. And I’m happy to now be a full-time crafter.

From where do you draw inspiration? Everywhere! My daughter, other crafters and their beautiful work, nature ... Inspiration is everywhere when you do what you like to do.

Why this skill – and this style? A while ago, I bought the Tilda dolls book. I liked them so much. I used the patterns and tutorials from that book and then went on to create my own.

What are your favourite materials to work with? I’m in love with natural materials. My favourite fabrics are cotton, linen and wool.

Do you teach your skills to others? No. I want to teach my daughter first of all, but she likes to play with the dolls and not to make them. I hope she will grow up and ask me to teach her.

What’s your family structure? I have a 10-year-old daughter and a lovely husband. And we bought a small puppy for our daughter’s birthday. So now I have two kids!

Where do you live and work? We live in the Ukraine. Soon, my family is moving to a beautiful new house. And my husband promised me he’d create the craft room of my dreams there. At the moment, I have a small craft room, but it’s nothing very special.

Victoria Zimenkova, HappyLabToys –

@happylabtoys

www.happylabtoys.etsy.com

vzimenkova@gmail.com