Molly's Sketchbook: Announcing Hillary Lang's Wee Wonderfuls Book!

We are so excited about Wee Wonderfuls 24 Dolls to Sew and Love the first ever book by Hillary Lang! If you aren't already familiar with Hillary's work or her adorable website, Wee Wonderfuls you are in for such a treat! Her dolls, patterns and photos are wonderfully whimsical and totally inspiring. We have been itching for a book from Hillary whose work we have loved for years (in fact Hillary even contributed a pattern to Joelle's book, Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts, the super cute Peanut the Wee Elephant), so the publication of Wee Wonderfuls is truly a thing worth celebrating!

I personally love this book not only because of its modern fun sense of style, but also because it opens up the word of doll-making which is something I was totally inexperienced in. All of the toys and dolls are timeless classics and so well explained that anyone could make them.  I loved learning something completely new and yet familiar at the same time!

I made these sweet little Bonneted Baby Dolls as my first project from the book because they seemed like a simple way to enter into the world of doll making and besides they are totally adorable!  They were so fun and quick to make. I think they would make stunning baby shower gifts. The three I sewed reminded me of the Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather, in Sleeping Beauty. Originally I wanted to give each of them away individually, but now I think they should stay together as a lovely little set since they look so cute all together.

To make the sweet Bonneted Baby Dolls I used one of my favorite fabrics, hand-dyed Felted Wool by Mary Flanagan (which you can find at this link), because I wanted them to be ultra cuddly for new babies. This wool is woven and then felted, so you don't have to hem it, and it is very soft and lush.  I used the colors Straw and White for the skin and bonnets of each doll. For the yellow doll I used "Wake Up Call" for the dress and "Caramel" for the hair. For the pink doll I used "Pink Pastel" for the dress and "Marigold" for the hair. And for the Blue doll I used "Turquoise Pastel" for the dress and "Bright Pumpkin" for the hair.

Now that I've caught the doll bug it might be hard to stop! I think I'll make this charming doll apron for a little girl.

Or perhaps this handsome bear for a baby boy!

And maybe I'll make this beautiful Marie Antoinette doll for myself!

If you'd like to catch the doll bug along with me please make sure to get a copy of Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love!  --Molly

Comments

[elise hooper]

These toys are lovely. I especially think the doll apron is adorable. I will have to check this out more!

[Carol in E TN]

These little dolls are precious!

[iHanna]

What a lovely book! Thanks for writing about it. I hadn't heard that Hillary was published in a doll book, I have enjoyed her blog for years and bought the wee booklet with cat dolls once. :-)

[nicola]

oh my the marie antoinette doll has stolen my heart! too much for a monday morning..

[Janimal]

Oh how cute! I have been looking forward to checking out your wool felt when I visit NYC this weekend. Now I am excited to check out this book also! I made the Purl Girl from your previous tutorial and LOVED working with wool felt. This book and these projects look like just my cup of tea. Lovely work. See you soon!

[Robin & Judith]

This looks fantastic. We're really excited! Thanks for profiling this and reminding us that it came out.

[Kathi Crosby]

Wow, those are contagious. Both the dolls and the photography. Coudl I really set everything aside to make a few dolls - ohhh yes.

[Knit Learner]

I wish a doll like that! Lovely.

[kate]

I want htis book so badly! I envision me and my baby girl making dolls together when she gets bigger.

[Erin]

I was looking at these and my son said "why can't there be one with a chainsaw or something"?

[dany]

delightfull! especially Marie Antoinette! How could I get Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love!?
thanks a lot