You've got to love a workshop

In 2018 I wanted to make my granddaughter a doll but had no idea where to start, so searched on-line and found Little Oke Dolls who do a fantastic range of doll making supplies. 

I bought a kit and made a weighted Waldorf doll but realised it wasn't suitable for a one year old so I made up my own pattern and my passion began.

I loved making this little character so much and wanted to learn more. Books and videos are all very well, but as a trained teacher, I believe that there is nothing better than learning from someone who really knows what they are doing.


In my internet searches, I'd come across Fig & me and was delighted to see that Fabs was delivering a workshop at Little Oke Dolls in Newton Abbot in June 2019. I registered to attend, organised my accomodation and started to get excited. We were given 'homework' in advance of the workshop to ensure we had the sewing skills needed and were given measurements so we could make clothes. 

I was so nervous about that workshop - after all, I hadn't made many dolls - and I worried that I wouldn't be good enough. As soon as I arrived, all of my fears were laid to rest. 

Fabiola is a wonderfully generous teacher who enjoys sharing her knowledge and gave us all plenty of individual attention. 

There was a booklet to follow and she demonstrated every step to us, giving hints here and there about how to get a better finish. she checked all of our work, telling us when to add more wool, when to felt more firmly, how to get expression and so much more. 

I learned so much during those two days that my doll making improved faster than I could have imagined.

Alongside this our fabulous hosts Debbie and Marcus plied us with biscuits, cake and drinks. We shared stories and laughter and worked so, so hard. 

At the end of two days we were exhausted and happy. Looking at this photo, I can see the tiredness but I also remember how delighted I was with this little being I had created. I looked at this small person and knew immediately that her name was Charlotte.



I loved the workshop, I loved the whole process of putting myself out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to achieve and grow and learn. Charlotte loves to get out and about and I have lots of pictures of her.

Here she's wearing an alpaca/silk knit dress and crochet cotton hat

This yellow dress was a gift from Fabs - it looks great in the summer sun.

Don't be fooled, she looks like butter wouldn't melt but she has hidden depths.

After the workshop, the pattern and very detailed photo workbook is sent by e-mail, so it is possible to make another doll to practise and consolidate the skills learned. 

Charlotte now has a sister - Helena - who keeps Charlotte company on her adventures. 

I think its important to say here that a workshop is brilliant for learning new skills and I made Helena to embed those skills but I want to make dolls of my own design. You can readily incorporate the techniques into your own dolls and I have loved doing that. Fabs is keen to help people develop skills but this is her doll pattern, not mine and she quite rightly holds the copyright to her design. I am so grateful to her for the support and advice and know that it would have taken me years to get my doll making to the level it is at now without this workshop. If you're thinking of doing one and think it looks expensive - it isn't - you get so much out of two days learning from an expert you'll never regret it. 

The two of them recently went to Wales, hoping to get to the beach, but once again the rain was an issue.

Eventually, it cleared up and they were able to get out and oh my, what adventures they had.

Oh my word, they just couldn't believe it when a giant horse went past.

Helena just couldn't help herself.

The sisters really had a wonderful time at the sea, making memories to last a lifetime.

They have many more adventures to come, but we leave them now, holding each other close. They're at Happy Valley - so called for a reason - with many more happy memories to come.

Thank you so much for reading, please comment if you have any questions, Gina

Juliet's story

Such a sweet child, Juliet is named for July, the month she came into being. I knew her name and dreamt of her delicate heart-shaped face and dainty body long before she came to life. 

Her first outfit was a pair of dungarees borrowed from Caitlin, but she was not at all happy and demanded proper underclothes, full skirts and flounces.

She soon had soft cream cotton jersey pants and vest and a soft cotton sweater the colour of newly washed sand. Her petticoat is made from vintage broderie anglaise, dyed pink with avocado stones. Who would have thought that avocado stones would make such a pretty dye? Juliet thinks its far too pretty for a petticoat and prefers to wear it as a dress with a dusky pink grossgrain ribbon at her waist.

There was such a lot of rain in August, Juliet spent hours watching the rain fall and she couldn't wait to get outside. That's the problem when you're made out of cloth, its not a great idea to play out in the rain.

Eventually, the rain stopped and the sun came out and we were able to go outside and enjoy the warm of the sun on our faces.

Summer doesn't last for ever though and Juliet needs more layers and warmer clothes to see her into Autumn. She loves her green dress which she often wears as an overdress together with her pink petticoat / dress for warmth and comfort. Her merino wool bobble hat and shrug will keep her cosy as the days get shorter and the October winds grow and tear the leaves from the trees.

  Soon, she will need some warm boots and a coat, but that is for another day. So we will leave her for now, looking out over her beloved Welsh hills and dreaming of another summer.

Juliet is a hand made natural fibre art doll, standing 18inches tall. Her skin is 100% cotton De Witte Engel double knit jersey. Her filling is 100% pure new wool felted and sculpted to form her unique features and her hair is mohair weft hand sewn to a crocheted mohair cap. Her underclothes, sweater, petticoat and dress are 100% cotton and her shoes are crocheted by myself from 100% cotton. Her hat and shrug are new merino. The doll and all of her clothes are of my own design.