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November 18th, 2017

18/11/2017

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Willowynn soft sculpture workshop
I'm running a special mushroom-making workshop in the beautiful old Federal hall, in the Byron Bay hinterland on Sunday the 10th December. We will spend the morning making some little fabric mushroom ornaments... just in time for Christmas.

​In this workshop you will learn some soft sculpture techniques as well as various stitches for hand-sewing and embroidery.
​
This class is most suitable for adults with some machine and hand sewing experience.​

​For more information, or to make a booking, please visit my online store.
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Tutorial: Miniature floor boards for diorama or doll's house

8/11/2017

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I've been slowly making a sort of diorama / doll's house room to display my cloth art dolls in. As with most of the creative projects I take on, this one took a lot more time and effort than I anticipated... but I've really enjoyed it and have learned a lot along the way. 
Handmad diorama for Willowynn dolls www.willowynn.com
Diorama / room made using coffee-stained popsicle sticks
I wanted to make one large room with interchangeable walls, windows, a door and wooden floor boards.  I really love the way it's turned out - kind of like a cottage or cabin in the woods. I'll continue working on it - adding things like book shelves, furniture, curtains etc., but just wanted to show you what it looks like at this stage and describe how I made the floor, windows and door.  

​I'll start off by explaining how I made the tiny floor boards, and save the window/door tutorial for a later post...

DIY miniature floor boards for dolls house tutorial

To make the floor boards

You will need:
  • ​A large piece of plywood or MDF board for the base - cut to the size and shape you'd like your floor space to be
  • Lots and lots of wooden popsicle sticks (paddle pop sticks here in Australia)
  • Scissors
  • PVA or wood glue
  • Coffee grounds and vegetable oil
  • Vinegar, rusty nails, glass jar
  • Rag
Instructions:
  1. Trim the rounded ends off each of your popsicle sticks to give them straight ends (like real floor boards).
  2. Glue the popsicle sticks onto your board in rows, starting from one end. 
  3. To get a smooth, worn-looking surface, give your floorboards a sand.
  4. Stain your floor boards to achieve the colour you'd like (*See wood stain suggestions below).
  5. To give my floor a slightly glossy finish, I rubbed it with a leather shoe wax / polish. Just wipe it all over then buff it with a clean cloth.

Suggestions for non-toxic DIY wood stains*:
  • Dark grey/black: wipe with a solution made by soaking a couple of rusty nails in white vinegar for a day. 
  • Light warm brown: wipe with a solution made by soaking fresh coffee grounds in vegetable oil. Each layer will darken your wood a little more.
  • Any colour: rub leather shoe polish all over your floor boards in whatever colour you like. This creates a good colour as well as a bit of a shine.
Willowynn doll in diorama www.willowynn.com
One of my dolls inspecting the new space.
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Willowynn in Homespun magazine

8/11/2017

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So delighted to find this lovely article written by Janai Velez featuring my workroom in the November issue of Homespun magazine. It really is beautifully written and I love the way Janai has described my dolls. I always draw a blank when asked to describe my work so it's really helpful to hear someone else's words. ​
Willowynn feature in Homespun magazine November 2017
Homespun magazine November 2017
Homespun is a treasure of a magazine, if sewing is your thing, and is packed full of inspiring projects, tips and interviews.

​The magazine is available from Australian newsagents throughout November and is also available as a digital copy online at www.zinio.com.
​

Willowynn feature in Homespun magazine November 2017
Homepun magazine November 2017
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Sewing pattern: Embroidered Christmas ornaments

7/11/2017

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Embroidered Christmas ornaments by Willowynn
Fabric Christmas ornaments. Sewing pattern by willowynn.com
​These embroidered star, tree and round ornaments are easy to sew, make great presents and look lovely on a Christmas tree. I've put together some simple instructions, an illustrated stitch library and templates, to help you make these at home. You can download the PDF sewing pattern here, ready for you to print at home.

I hope you enjoy making these. You'll find more Willowynn sewing patterns available to download here.
Embroidered Christmas ornament sewing pattern by Willowynn
Christmas ornament sewing pattern by Willowynn
Embroidered Christmas ornament sewing pattern by Willowynn
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    Margeaux Davis aka Willowynn

    Hello

    My name is Margeaux Davis. I'm a doll-maker, sewing pattern designer and children's book illustrator, based in northern New South Wales, Australia.  

    ​Here I'll share what I'm making, as well as some hints and tips to help you sew your own soft toys... 


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    Sewing patterns

    Snail soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Bunny and bear stuffed animal doll digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Blue whale soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Fox and wolf stuffed animal doll / soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Fabric moth and butterfly digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Elephant stuffed animal doll sewing pattern / soft toy digital PDF download by Willowynn

    Pleated mushroom hanging ornament digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Barn owl and penguin stuffed animal digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Dolphin stuffed toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Platypus soft toy sewing pattern PDF by Willowynn

    Doll coat digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Doll overalls and pants digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Doll dress digital sewing pattern for 3 doll dresses by Willowynn

    Stuffed animal doll digital sewing pattern set. Bunny, bear, fox, wolf, elephants

    Doll clothing digital sewing pattern set / miniature dresses, overalls, coats and pants by Willowynn

    Mushroom / toadstool digital sewing pattern set of 2. Embroidered (beginners) and pleated (advanced)

    Whale & dolphin soft toy digital sewing pattern set by Willowynn (10% discount)

    Embroidered Mushroom / toadstool hanging ornament digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    FREE Embroidered hanging Christmas ornaments digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Miniature jumper & cardigan knitting pattern (digital download) by Willowynn


    Cards and prints

    'The fox and the crow' print by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Pack of 3 Christmas greeting cards / Watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    'Summer ramble' art print by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    'The fox and the crow (2)' print by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Art postcard set of 7 / watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Willowynn nature / soft sculpture postcard set of 6

    Christmas / holiday greeting card pack of 4 by Willowynn

    Toadstool / mushroom Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Baby in nest Christmas greeting card by Willowynn




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  • About
    • Bio
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  • Shop
    • Textile art / dolls
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    • Books, cards and prints
  • Textile work
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