doll making

We started making self portrait rag dolls at art club yesterday. Artist Heidi Ganshaw and neighbor Joy Wagner (not pictured) joined in the fun. We needed extra adult hands to help kids thread needles, cut patterns, and manage the sewing machine.

I had various examples of rag dolls available for inspiration -- everything from Raggedy Ann to sock monkeys. I asked the kids to pick a style of doll body, create and cut a pattern, and find a way to represent themselves in doll form. The kids looked for yarn to match their own hair color and buttons to match their eyes. Most of the dolls still need clothes, so there will be more progress made next week in the fashion department.