Sylah and Mielle, A Family Duo

Back in the summer I had the privilege of making a set of custom dolls for a young Mother and her little daughter. A pair of natural, soft, carefully created dolls so they could play together. While the initial order was for Sylah, I guess the process of thinking about a doll made her Mom think of one for herself too. And it was my absolute pleasure to make this pair for them.

How do I work with custom dolls?

If you have been with me in the “custom doll wagon” you would know that I send a file with all options regarding, hair, skin tone, additional clothing pricing, styles for hair, etc. But most importantly, the file explains how I work (very slowly) and what helps me create very thoughtful dolls: your story.

I ask these questions so that we increase the chances of me making a doll that you can connect deeply with. It’s not really about choosing this button, or picking that fabric, is more about the foundation, the origin story of the doll, the family it will land on, who will welcome her or him into their lives.

I do try of course to take hints regarding previous dolls that perhaps have touched you deeply, or add details that are your favourite things in the world or part of your most loved story. Things like that, but mostly, I love to read your story so I can think a lot about you and yours as I make the doll.

It helps me so much as I work on the dolls. I feel very connected to the dolls I create but custom dolls are even more special to me for this reason.

The doll collector’s life story

And Mel did not disappoint! She shared so much of her journey, how she grew up, got married, and her path as a Mom. I loved connecting with her and having a back and forth as I worked on her dolls. She is a very curiosity-driven human being and had such interesting things to comment on and share.

She sent me lots of photos to draw inspiration from and I can tell you: Sylah is inspired by one of the most adorable little girls I’ve ever seen. From her big eyes, to her chubby cheeks and cutest pigtails! I hope Sylah is bringing her lots of comfort and helping her concoct all kinds of adventures as she grows up.

Even though you see their clothing as somewhat simple, keeping in mind I wanted the younger member of the family to be able to eventually manipulate all clothing by herself, each one has a distinct personality.

Mielle looks a little older, wiser, like she carries a deeper story.

Sylah definitely looks younger, fresher, with a very innocent look about her as she is just starting life.

Or is it all in my head because I made them thinking of that? We could make that argument for sure.

It’s funny to me how on some dolls I am focused on adding detail in very measured amounts, and with other dolls I am quite the opposite. The amount of detail is always connected to the doll’s story.

With this pair I envisioned many a tea party with wooden dishes and wool-felt play food. Much like the tea affairs I was invited to partake in with my own children. I also thought of comfort, so I gave them wide legs and sleeves, comfy knits and breathable fabrics.

You might think that dolls do not care for such things, but you will be terribly mistaken. Ask a doll to wear uncomfortable shoes and you will never hear the end of it.

The hair styles

All the Little Fig dolls I’ve made this year have had the traditional Mohair yarn wig. It’s my most favourite method to make doll hair, and the one that I use the less as a finished look, but that’s because I usually create “older” dolls who want very long tresses, like Mielle.

Since Mielle’s mom wanted braids, long braids at that, I decided to use camel weft. Many a new dollmaker or doll collector asks me in disbelief if it’s real camel fibre, as they are very surprised to see it that long! I was too, so I know the feeling.

*I’ve just linked a little video on how I make the Mohair wigs and a direct supplier of beautiful camel wefts.

The dolls’ clothing

Her mom ended up ordering another outfit for Sylah and I have been credibly informed that Grandma has now been roped-in into sewing many more clothes for these two little dolls. I hope they all have fun together, playing dolls and making wonderful memories.

If you are in love with the hat Miss Sylah is wearing, and your doll is demanding you get one for her too, you can easily make it using this video tutorial: Linen Digs Collection | Tiered Doll Dress and Sun Hat. If you already know how to sew, you can purchase the pdf of the pattern pieces here: Patreon PDFs. I regularly remove PDFs from the store so grab it while it’s still there 😉.

Unfortunately I don’t have the exact pattern for her cardigan, as I just whipped it out in the moment, knitting it as I went to make it fit Miss Sylah. You can however easily adapt this other pattern of mine, which is almost identical, but made for a much larger doll: Plum Puddin’ Doll Cardigan Knitting pattern.

If you have a similar doll in size to my Little Fig (14” tall Waldorf-inspired doll), my dressmaking online course walks you step-by-step how to sew an entire doll’s wardrobe. You can read more about it in my Doll Making Academy.

I spent such a beautiful summer working on them and I am ever so grateful Mel discovered my doll world. She has a love for turtles so I ended up making Mielle a mini backpack! Once they arrived home, she let me know of their triumphant unboxing and sent me lots of photos of all their discoveries.

I wish them both many, many years of wholesome play, crafting elaborate adventures for their dolls, helping them communicate with each other, having fun learning to make things for them and hoping that each doll serves their purpose: to bring them comfort, play and lots of fun!

Thank you Mel, for giving me the opportunity to put my work at the centre of your beautiful young family life. Keep working on all your crafty adventures and stay in touch 💌.

Oh yes, I made Sylah a little pocket doll so she wouldn’t be jealous of Mielle’s backpack. I know how it can be with the dolls sometimes 😘.