Location: Carriage House
INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Oravecz
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 10,2025
KIT FEE: $28.00
LIMIT OF 35 STUDENTS
Embellished Victorian Tassel Dolls
Tassel dolls of fabric and porcelain have long been a part of textile history. To make these Victorian tassel dolls, a fine silk print, trim, ribbon, beads, and crystals come together. Rare silk prints from Judith & Kathyrn of Australia make up the hat, face and historic dress bodice. Students will sew the doll’s upper bodice, turn it and stuff. A French string fringe will form the doll’s skirt. Rayon lace makes a dramatic shawl to give the doll shape and to compliment the skirt.
A mix of embellishments in your kit to match each doll print will inspire free form, hand-stitched embellishing on the doll. Embellishments can include such items as organza ribbon for looped bows, beads, crystals for earrings and necklace, bead-shaped flowers, trim and lace. All kits will vary based on colors of each doll print and fringe skirt. A fancy loop is sewn at the top of the doll so the tassel doll can adorn a doorknob, tree, wall or gift box. The silk tassel doll is a treasured gift for a friend, grandchild, bride or yourself.
Techniques learned include creating small three-dimensional flowers from different ribbons as well as beading, ruching, embellishing buttons and attaching unusual objects. When finished, no two tassel dolls are expected to be identical. This is an improvisational project. With teacher’s guidance, you will dress and adorn your tassel doll lady to your own liking.
Each kit will include printed instructions and color photo, a 3” x 4” silk print, cotton backing fabric, a string fringe for the skirt, a rayon lace shawl dyed to match, 100% wool stuffing (or polyester fill if student is allergic to wool), needles, beading string, and a variety of trims, ribbons and beads unique to each doll print. Your kit’s trims and embellishments will vary from those in the photos and in other kits.
Each student should bring some neutral thread colors such as gray to match the kit colors, a small stuffing tool, awl, optional small plier helpful for handling small objects, pins, needles, small and large scissors, a fine chalk marker, small ruler, and a sticky or other bead mat or saucer. Magnification and good lighting are a must.
A complete assortment of embellishments unique to each kit is provided. Students are encouraged to bring additional small embellishments such as antique jewelry, buttons, vintage trims, tatting, laces, ribbons, glass beads, and tiny charms to use and inspire creativity.
