Ruthie is finished (well, almost)
This project took me just about three months to complete (along with doing a couple smaller projects along the way as well), but she's just about ready to ship off now!
I finished attaching the head and wig yesterday. Once I figured out what I was doing to secure it, it wasn't so bad. Even if there are four different layers of stitching to make sure it's attached. Gave her head a little tilt to the side for a bit more animation. Looking at her face, I've decided she needs eyelashes though. I have some false eyelashes on order and should get them in a few days. Thought black lashes would be too dark, so am going with light brown, just something to help soften the inset eyes. Also, I may sew the dress neckline to the doll's neck, that way I can "raise" the appearance of the sloped shoulders a bit. (note that for next time, correct shoulder line of torso). note: I also used thigh high nylons instead of pantyhose. They interfer less with the hip joints and seating the doll. Anyway, just these few finishing touches and she'll be good to go.
On the one hand, I'm rather proud of my work and of completing a commission project. On the other, I see all the flaws and things I could have done better. In this case, the legs won't really show when she's seated in the car, but for the next one, I'm going to have to stuff and form them more firmly and shapely. I think I may cover the cost of shipping Ruthie to Andy, because of the "learning curve" attributes/flaws to the doll. I'm not sure I produced exactly what he had in mind, but I just hope he'll be satified enough with her. (None of his responses to my in progress photos indicate otherwise)
Office Depot has a 36" X 24" X 20 box available. I'll have to buy a pack of five though, but I will be needing another prettty soon anyway for commission #2. Could use the others to pack material in my craft room. That size box will allow me to fit the doll torso in lying down and loosely fold up her legs. Probably need some large bubble bubblewrap as well.
I think the next commission is going to be even more fun, as the character is a bit more lively than Ruthie. More of an old lady with "Advanced Style" and mischevious pep. Since the patron wants to change up the outfits, I'll have to pay more attention to all the details of the body form. But I learned a lot from the work I did on Ruthie. Think I may need to enlarge the torso patterm just a bit, or make sure there is some stretch to the base fabric to increase the size; still want to keep a slim big busted proportions though. Need to ask Lucy about specifics of what she wants for the face, soft sculpted like Ruthie, or more like Suzie Rose with some sculpting but details drawn and painted on? How much charicature style sculpting?
However, before diving into the next life size doll, I'm taking a break for a small project (and smaller dolls), doing Sharons online Marie Antoinette candlestick torso doll next. I haven't actually started on this course yet, as I kept working on Ruthie instead, but now I'll have the time. Have been getting my idea ducks in a row though for how I want the dolls to look, all fancy and such. Going to have to go to JoAnn's and see if there is any fabric or trim that sings (in French).