Dec 8

Dec 8 Arriety, Natural Fiber Art Doll Ready for the Reindeer Games to Begin

As promised, here is Miss Arriety wearing the rest of her pretty attire. The crowning glory of course is the reindeer hat she begged me to make for her after watching the old movie of Rudolf, the Rednose Reindeer.

natural fiber art doll wearing reindeer hat, corduroy brown skirt and pink blouse in cotton double gauze — Reindeer hat for Miss Arriety, a natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me.

Reindeer hat for Miss Arriety, a natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me.

I was actually dreading making her hat, but she seemed so excited to have it that I simply could not deny her. I set to work using my stash of repurposed wool knits, some ribbon and chenille wire for the antlers.

It’s actually very simple. I used the simple 3-piece bonnet pattern (that I have shared many-a-time with you via this pattern, this pattern, this one for a smaller doll or even this pattern for the 11” ones) so many sizes to choose from.

Then I drafted ears, following the shape I use for my Wee Baby Reindeers but using pink cashmere for the inside of the ears! Sorry I couldn’t offer you a family of Wee Babies this Christmas, but as you can see we are very busy with the custom dolls.

I lined it using the same bonnet pieces but instead of sewing it in wool knit as in the exterior fabric, I used a red and white dot cotton terry that makes it look like a dotted mushroom on the inside. This is giving me the idea of using the same fabrics to make some mushrooms for my Christmas tree. Time will tell if I get around to it, this holiday season has me dreaming of many crafty projects.

Once the hat was sewn up with the respective added ties, then I went about drawing pretty reindeer antlers. I traced the pattern on doubled wool knit, using my fabric marker, and sewed two of the antlers right on the traced line.

I carefully cut all around the pattern leaving a very small seam allowance, clip into the sharp inner corners, turned them right side out and went looking for my chenille-covered wires.

I folded the chenille wires in half, so there were no pointy ends working themselves out, twisted them a bit together, secured them inside the antlers, and used wool stuffing around the wires to make them fat and cute.

I curved the wires to follow the natural shape of reindeer antlers and sewed them by hand behind the ears of the bonnet. All done and Arriety was so happy to wear her reindeer hat!

But we needed just one more detail: a bright red wool felt bead, sewn right in the centre. Talk about ‘cherry on the top’ 😆

Arriety’s mom was very supportive back when I asked you if you wanted me to write up the pattern for Ella’s cardigan. So I decided to make one for Miss Arriety, that way not only will her Mom have one of the knitted samples, she can knit another one herself when the pattern is out.

The knitting pattern is still not ready because I want to try it in one more size and then test it of course. But I hope to have it ready for your knitting needles early next year.

As you can see, she is wearing cabled tights, leather boots, a corduroy jumper-style dress with nice patch pockets and velvet ties, as well as a cotton double-gauze blouse with a centre front inverted pleat.

So please help me in wishing Miss Arriety a safe journey home, knowing she is very much loved and she is going to be welcomed with open arms.

Reindeer hat for Miss Arriety, a natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me.

If you are interested in requesting a custom doll made by me, I will open custom spots again in January and work through out the year on those orders.

Just like this year, I will only open custom spots at the beginning of the year and will only take a limited amount for 2023.

Thank you so much for coming to visit my blog and for sending Arriety with well wishes on her journey home.

Perhaps I should pack her a well stocked mini pantry so she is not hungry while she travels. Those cheeks require lots of munching!