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Dolls on my work table

17/5/2022

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I've spent the past few months working on the group of dolls you can see waiting patiently here on my work table... and I think they're nearly finished. Hooray!

It's taken me longer than usual to finish this group. My children have been home from school quite a bit these past couple of months, due to Covid isolation and major flooding in our area.

We are thankfully on high ground but our nearest town Lismore (where my son goes to school) was devastated. 

And it's still raining.

I should have a five new dolls available to purchase via my online store later this week. 
Willowynn work space
Willowynn doll
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Willowynn snail sewing pattern coming soon

25/2/2021

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Willowynn snail soft sculpture
I'm finally creating a downloadable sewing pattern for my snail soft sculpture!

There are snail prototypes all over the place here, and not just on my desk (pictured below). I have made so many snails, after first creating my design back in 2013, but offering it as a sewing pattern means I now have to make a proper template! So I'm tweaking and perfecting the shape, size and design. 
Willowynn snails in the making
Snail prototypes - perfecting, tweaking, changing...
I'm at the last stage of sewing pattern production, which is photographing the steps, so my snail sewing pattern will be available via my online store by early March. I'll notify via my email newsletter and social media as soon as it's ready to download. 
​
*EDIT - my snail sewing pattern is now available to download via my online store *

Picture
I took the photo above, years ago, upon discovering this little drawing on my work table. My family and I are fascinated by snails and have a very large (and growing) collection of huge snail shells. We live in a sub-tropical region of Australia, with rainforests nearby - where we regularly find the giant panda snail. 
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Making elephants

11/6/2020

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Elephant sewing pattern by Willowynn
Elephant sewing patterns by Willowynn
I'm having fun designing new elephant dolls (which are now available as a sewing pattern). Right now I'm trying to perfect their elephant heads by sewing prototype after prototype... using the fabric from an old bed sheet.

This is my favourite stage of soft toy design - looking at pictures of baby elephants, trying out different shapes, testing the scale of the trunk / ears etc... trunk up or trunk down (I've decided to include an option for both). Lots of fun and also a bit of a brain strain, and I'm happy to report that they're coming along nicely.

These guys will be similar to my other animal dolls that can be downloaded as sewing patterns. I also have patterns to sew their little overalls, dresses and coats. 

* Edit / update... the digital sewing pattern for my elephant soft toys is now available to download and print. Happy sewing!
Elephant soft toy sewing pattern by Willowynn
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New owl and penguin sewing pattern designs

31/5/2019

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Willowynn barn owl and penguin sewing pattern
I designed a simple barn owl stuffed toy years ago which has been one of my most popular soft toys. I think I've made hundreds of them and have even adapted it to create a larger, more sculptural clawed barn owl that also has wings - which I still make today. 

Anyway, I've decided that it's time to offer my little barn owl softie as a digital sewing pattern, so that you can enjoy making them for your little ones. Their cute Babushka-like shape reminds me of the shape of a chubby penguin, so my sewing pattern also includes templates and instructions for making penguins! 

I've spent the past couple of months designing the penguin soft toy and putting together a new sewing pattern for both of them. It is now available to download via my online store.
Willowynn barn owl and penguin sewing patter www.willowynn.com
Sewing faces while soaking up some sun.
Willowynn barn owl and penguin sewing patter www.willowynn.com
Penguin design in progress.
Willowynn barn owl and penguin sewing patter www.willowynn.com
A little crowd growing on my work table...
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March worktable scenes

6/3/2019

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Willowynn work table. Sewing room, art studio, doll-making.
Willowynn work table. Sewing room, art studio, doll-making.
Willowynn work table. Sewing room, art studio, doll-making.
Here are some recent pictures of my work table this past month or so... doll making can be a messy business but also provides me with some surprisingly funny little scenes, when I walk into my sewing room / cabin of a morning. 
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Doll heads on my table

29/11/2018

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Willowynn doll heads
I'm busily working on some new cloth dolls which I hope to have available by end of November (but probably early December). Looking up just now, I caught sight of these two little heads resting in crochet cotton balls and smiled... they looks so content. So thought I'd share that with you :) 
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Doll petticoat and bustle making

31/10/2018

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Doll underclothes by Willowynn
I'm spending this lovely rainy day sewing clothing for my new collection of cloth art dolls. The dress I'm currently working on is Victorian inspired, and I've found that to get that lovely Victorian dress shape, the dolls really need to wear a petticoat and bustle underneath. 

This next group of dolls should be finished and available to purchase via my online store by the end of November. To see some of my dolls, take a look at my gallery page or have a look back through the Willowynn artworks category on my blog.
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Workroom

13/7/2018

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Margeaux Davis (aka Willowynn textile art) in the work room
At work, stuffing fabric snails while warming up in the sun. 

My workroom gets the winter sun and is the best place to be when it's cold. I've opened up all the windows to let in the fresh air, as it's been really wet here lately. I'll be closing them and lighting the fire soon though... once the sun disappears behind the trees. 
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Snail shells sewn from upcycled linen cushion

6/7/2018

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Upcycled linen used to sew snail shells, by Willowynn
I found an old, torn linen cushion cover. I'm keeping the zipper and making giant snails from it. I was going to try to mend it. to use it as a cushion cover but it has a massive hole which is very frayed. Also, I think this linen is the perfect fabric for making snail shells. 

I use second hand fabric for almost everything I sew - old woolen blankets, scraps and remnants. With so much fabric and old clothing going to landfill, I don't like to buy new. Also, I think things like linen and wool are so much nicer when a little worn.  

Giant linen snails coming to my online store very soon. 


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On my work table

24/2/2018

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Willowynn art doll - work in progress
Lovely rainy afternoon here in my workroom, stitching tiny things.

I haven't shared any of my textile work here for a little while but rest assured, I'm still at it. I started the year a bit lacking in motivation, inspiration and confidence... so I've been occupying myself with other things, hoping it would  all come back... and it has!
Phew.
​
New dolls coming soon... then lots of creatures.
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Dolls for October

21/9/2017

4 Comments

 
Tiny doll dress by Willowynn
Tiny doll dress by Willowynn
The group of cloth dolls I'm working on right now are taking a LOT longer to finish than I anticipated... and school holidays start next week. Soooo I hope to have five new dolls available here in early October rather than September (as originally promised). Here's one of their tiny dresses...
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How to sew French knots

10/9/2017

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How to sew french knots. Video demonstration by Willowynn.com
French knots on one of my mushroom hanging ornaments
I made a little video demonstration (below), showing how to embroider French knots. I found this embroidery stitch quite tricky when I first tried it and looking at diagrams in embroidery books didn't really help me. But I've since taught myself how to sew them so thought I'd show you how I do it.

​The key is to hold the thread taut with one hand while you wrap it around the needle and insert it into the fabric. Hold on to the thread until just before it is pulled all the way through the fabric (see video below).

This is an example of a singular French knot but you can make them larger by wrapping the thread around your needle twice rather than once. This video shows how I stitch the French knots onto my fabric mushroom hanging ornaments.

​... and here is a little diagram showing French knots in more detail. I drew this a while ago for one of my sewing patterns. Enjoy!
French knot diagram. Copyright 2016. Margeaux Davis - Willowynn.com
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August barn owl soft sculptures

30/8/2017

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Willowynn barn owl soft sculpture
​This face looking up at me while I embroider his tummy. I know he's not real but I kind of hope I'm not hurting him... 

​
Two new barn owl soft sculptures will be available via my online store from 10am Thursday 31 August (Sydney time).
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Platypus pattern coming soon

24/6/2017

2 Comments

 
​I've spent ages trying to perfect my platypus soft toy so that I can offer a sewing pattern with instructions on how to make one. The body is pretty straight forward but the feet and bill have really challenged me. I think I've finally figured it out now and I'm really happy with the way it's turned out, so I should have the pattern ready for you to download very soon. I hope you like it.  *Pattern can be purchased here.
Willowynn platypus soft toy sewing pattern

Willowynn platypus soft toy sewing pattern
Willowynn Platypus soft toy sewing pattern
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Platypus soft toy

22/3/2017

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My son needed a platypus (and this photo of me making it) for something at school. It took me several prototypes to get the shape you see here and there are still things I'd change... but I'm thinking of maybe offering it as a sewing pattern. Would you make a platypus? They're pretty fantastic creatures.
Margeaux from Willowynn making platypus soft toy prototypes. Sewing pattern coming soon.
6 Comments

Logo stamp

25/2/2017

3 Comments

 
My little Willowynn stamp isn't small enough for these tiny legs, so I hand-draw my label with my ultra fine waterproof pen.
My little Willowynn stamp isn't small enough for these tiny legs, so I hand-draw my label with my ultra fine waterproof pen.
3 Comments

Mushrooms

22/11/2016

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Thanks so much guys! Lots of hanging mushrooms (and fox and bunny dolls) in the post. It might not look like it, but that's a lot of work boxed up right there and it's such a great feeling to see them all finished and heading out into the world. Dolls, owls and whales next...
Fabric mushroom hanging ornaments by Willowynn. All boxed up and ready for the post.
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On my table...

22/11/2016

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This is where I work every day... my favourite room in this tiny old house. My boys like it in here too as this is where the buttons, scissors, string and good pens are. Right now I'm working on some owls, whales and four new dolls which will available via my online shop soon.
Willowynn studio
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Owls and mushrooms in my work room

9/11/2016

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My messy table is filled with work that I hope to have available via my online store over the next few weeks.

It's been one of those lovely steamy afternoons with the sound of thunder in the distance... ​
Picture
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Certificate of authenticity

23/9/2016

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​My new letter-pressed 'certificate of authenticity' cards printed by Jo and Andy from Olive and the Volcano just arrived...and I'm over the moon... and thank you Nettie (Ginger Blue Graphics) for helping me with the design!
Willowynn textile art certificate of authenticity
Willowynn packaging and certificate of authenticity
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Mushroom hanging ornaments - progress

25/8/2016

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Some mushroom hanging ornaments on my work table this week. I'm trying to get some sets of these ready for Christmas.
Making mushroom hanging ornaments - Willowynn
​I love it when the perfect material for what I need happens to be rubbish... like the plastic from old milk bottles.
Using recycled materials for fabric mushroom hanging ornaments by Willowynn textile art
Mushroom hanging ornaments by Willowynn
Mushroom hanging ornaments in handmade box by Willowynn
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Tiny cloak

1/7/2016

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Cloak for tiny doll by Willowynn
Let's all start wearing cloaks again! This is a little cloak I've made for one of the cloth dolls I'm working on at the moment. It's made of a beautiful mustard velvet I cut out of a curtain. 
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Dolls on my worktable

1/7/2016

2 Comments

 
Cloth doll in Victorian dress by Willowynn
Royal cloth doll in Victorian dress by Willowynn
Busily working on finishing three new cloth dolls by the end of the week. I'm fascinated with historical fashion at the moment...
​They'll be listed in my online store soon.
2 Comments

Snails on my worktable

9/6/2016

7 Comments

 
Willowynn snail soft sculpture
7 Comments

Giant panda snail shell

10/5/2016

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My current fixation is this shell from a giant panda snail. It's helping me with what I'm working on right now.
My current fixation is this shell from a giant panda snail. It's helping me with what I'm working on right now.
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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 things I've learned and behind-the-scenes peeks to help you on your own creative endeavours. 


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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, orca & 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

    Orca / killer whale stuffed toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Willowynn Gift Card


    Cards, prints and books

    'Giovanni' Picture Book. Written by Crystal Corocher. Illustrated by Margeaux Davis.

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

    Christmas / holiday greeting card pack of 4 by Willowynn

    'The fox and the crow' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'Summer ramble' art print by Margeaux Davis

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

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

    Baby in nest Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Toadstool / mushroom Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Embroidered ornament Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Mushroom / toadstool Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Willowynn art doll postcard set of 6

    Willowynn nature / soft sculpture postcard set of 6

    'Voyage on the Sea' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'Fairy tale' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'What Stars are For' Picture Book. Written and illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry's Garden By Day' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry's Garden By Night' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry and Celeste' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Star Gazing Snail' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry and Bee' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Tucked inside his shell' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    Willowynn Gift Card




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