This little girl was finished later summer back in Canada and she had to travel with me all the way to Portugal, and is now heading home. Finally. What a journey this wool child has had. Let me tell you a little more about her.

Elizabeth Bennet, Mini Fig style fiber art doll, by Fig and Me.

Back in January when I took my custom spots for the year, a dear friend of Fig&Me requested this little doll. I’ve worked a few times with her before, and while I don’t replicate dolls, I can certainly take inspiration from one or two dolls previously made.

Her request was to make Elizabeth Bennet again. But this time we were working on a much smaller canvas, the Mini Fig doll style.

I wholeheartedly agree to take another stab at this wondrous character of Miss Jane Austen, a favourite writer and one of my favourite books of hers: Pride and Prejudice.

Now, working on a smaller doll, poses such creative conundrums. Scale on prints, laces to be used, weight of the fabrics and the fact that you have “less doll” to design flowy dresses.

We did our best to imbue her with some of the magic of the era, while still keeping her whimsical and in the magical world of Fig & Me dolls. A dash of magic in her expression, an inquiring look in her eyes (ready to pounce with the wit of Ms. Bennet) and those little details that I so love adding to my dolls’ clothing.

Let me show you.

From old laces, to tiny flower prints, mini slip-on shoes, a straw hat cut in the shape of those marvellous bonnets and her wee pantaloons. All working together to send Miss Bennet into a life full of magic and wonder, with her Fig & Me siblings.

I, of course, don’t tend to make the dolls completely in one era. I like to add details that are quite often found in my body of work, which modernizes the dolls a little, giving them a contemporary sense, even if they are inspired by a character grounded in a historical period.

Take the Angora ribbing used for the cuffs of her sleeves 🤭.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with her. I think she does look a little like the ‘original’ doll I made in 2024, but only in her essence. She is also younger, due to the body proportions of the pattern I used for her.

These little details might not play at large in the minds of my doll collectors, but they play heavily on mine, as I work, design and create their doll requests.

Making custom dolls is such a journey. I’ve talked extensively about this before, and even though this month Fig&Me turns 17 years old, I am still having the same roller-coaster rides when making custom dolls.

A life well lived I say.

And yes, you’re not imagining it. I asked if I could add freckles to her face, after the first round of photos!

So please, help me in wishing Miss Bennet a safe journey across the Atlantic, and landing in in the patient and loving arms of her new family.

Thank you for coming to read about her.

If you are interested in ordering a custom doll from me, I will open spots again early next year. Just let me know you’re interested and I can send you an email once the spots are open.

See you soon.