Classes By Mail

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Class by Mail

To the best of my knowledge, this is the only comprehensive tutorial on how to make an authentic Izannah Walker reproduction doll and her clothing. I based this class on Izannah Walker’s original patent and two of the nine pre-1873 dolls I own that were made by Izannah Walker.

This is a Master Level class that teaches you to make an exact reproduction of one of Izannah Walker’s iconic early pre-patent 18-½ inch dolls. Prior sewing, sculpting and painting experience is a pre-requisite.

What is included in the class:

• 75 page Booklet full of step-by-step instructions with 166 detailed photographs
• Patterns for doll body and one complete set of clothing (dress, two petticoats, chemise, drawers)
• Body Construction Guide with 16 measurements
• Detailed instructions for sculpting head featuring Sculpting Guide with 54 separate measurements taken from my antique Izannah Walker dolls
• Mold-making instructions
• Paint swatches and formulas to match colors from original Izannah Walker dolls
• Painting instructions
• Fabric swatches
• Wool stuffing
• Source list for all required materials
• Optional instructions for those wanting to take a short-cut approach
• Lifetime question and answer support at no additional charge
• Additional bonus doll making information and student interaction on my class member-only facebook page
  

Why this class is ideal for serious doll-makers:

• With the detailed instruction booklet, you don’t have to be connected to the internet or be limited to working in front of your television screen.
• The open instruction book will lay flat on your work table
• You can make notes right in your booklet as a permanent record
• The instructions are infinitely reusable

Why should you buy from Paula Walton of A Sweet Remembrance?

Experience

• Dollmaker for 37 years
• Author of numerous magazine articles on dolls and doll-making
• Free-lance designer for national craft publications
• Restoration artist of antique dolls, bears and textiles

Izannah Walker doll owner

• Patterns are drafted and sculpting measurements directly taken from two original dolls plus extra original Izannah Walker clothing

Proven instructor

• Teaches at nationally-known arts and crafts schools including stints as artisan-in-residence
• Consistently highly-rated by students for knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement
• Sold hundreds of patterns and Spun Cotton Ornament class kits via mail and supported these satisfied customers for many years

Historical expert

• Nationally-recognized historical artisan
• Early American Life top traditional craftsman 39 times in 18 years, including clothing and accessories, textiles and needlework, miniatures, holidays, toys and dolls categories
• former museum director and curator

Availability and pricing

To take this class in person, it would be a five-day session, with a cost of $700 for tuition and all materials, not to mention your travel expenses.

The price of this class is $279. As with all my products, the Izannah Walker Doll Class by Mail includes free shipping in the US.

All sales are final. Returns are not accepted. The doll pattern is not for sale separately, nor would it be possible to reproduce the doll without the rest of the class.

For professional doll artists

Dollmakers who sell their works may sell a limited number of dolls made from the patterns included in this class as long as the dolls and advertising materials clearly credit Paula Walton/A Sweet Remembrance for the patterns and techniques used to make them.

Approximate time for me to make your item and get it into the mail: All class books and materials are made to order. Please allow at least 14 – 21 days for me to work your order into my schedule, construct your book and get it into the mail. Your class materials will ship via priority mail, I will send you tracking information once it leaves here.

$279.00

Alabama Indestructible Baby Reproduction Doll Class by Mail

For over two decades, I have been making and selling reproductions of Ella Smith’s Alabama Indestructible Babies.  Early in 2007, I was asked by Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine to write a three-part article about Alabama Babies that included full instructions and patterns for making a reproduction doll.  The series appeared in the March, April and May 2007 issues of the magazine.

Because those magazine issues are no longer available, I have updated and revised my original instructions. They include an additional option for making bare feet, as well as the iconic painted shoes for which Alabama Babies are so well known.  I’ve added more than twice as many color how-to photos to the step-by-step guide and had full size pattern pieces printed (so you won’t have to go to the trouble and expense of making enlargements).

To read more about the story behind the articles, please visit my blog, Izannah Walker Journal: Paula Walton’s Doll-Making Notes.

Full support and unlimited questions and answers are included with this 30-page tutorial, as they are with all of my patterns and classes.  Making a reproduction Alabama Baby is easier than making a reproduction Izannah Walker doll, but it is still a complex and challenging undertaking, so it’s nice to know that you will have some help along the way if you need it.  

What is included in the class:

–          30-page instruction book with 56 full color photographs

–          Full-size patterns for a 22 inch Alabama Baby and an early 1900’s sheer cotton and lace dress.

–          In-depth sculpting directions

–          Mold-making instructions

–          Materials source list

–          Full lifetime support with unlimited questions, answers and help via email

An optional pre-made plaster face mask is available for an additional charge of $59.00.  Depending on the time of year, it will take up to three weeks for face masks to dry completely before they can be shipped.

The face mask is strictly a time-saving convenience item.  All of the instructions you need to make the face mask are provided in the class instruction booklet.  When you buy the optional face mask, you are paying me to make it for you.  You can save money and have the ability to make additional masks by creating your own original sculpt and mold.

* Face masks are only available for Alabama Babies.

For professional doll artists

Dollmakers who sell their works may sell a limited number of dolls made from the patterns included in this class as long as the dolls and advertising materials clearly credit Paula Walton/A Sweet Remembrance for the patterns and techniques used to make them.

All sales are final. Returns are not accepted. The doll pattern is not for sale separately, nor would it be possible to reproduce the doll without the rest of the class.

Approximate time for me ot make your item and get it into the mail: 14 – 21 days

Specify:

Class only $75.00

Class plus Plaster Face Mask $145.00

Approximate time for me to make your item and get it into the mail: 21 – 28 days

Izannah Walker Doll Making Kit – SOLD OUT

Instead, the kit comes with a molded composition head, cast in a mold made directly from Isane, an antique Izannah Walker doll in my collection.  Also included in the kit are patterns for the doll’s body, under garments and two dresses plus a 31-page instruction booklet filled with detailed color photographs.

This kit is suggested for experienced seamstresses who are also well versed in painting with oils.  If you do not feel confident enough to paint the doll’s head yourself, you may commission me to paint it for you. This will require at least an additional two weeks.

Please take note of the approximate shipping times.  This is a new venture for me and I do not have an accumulated stockpile of molded heads, so I appreciate your patience with the four-week lead time.

* Dollmakers who sell their works may sell a finished doll made from this kit as long as the doll and advertising materials clearly credit Paula Walton/A Sweet Remembrance for the molded head, patterns and techniques used to make it, and the doll is clearly marked as a doll made by you from a kit.   Once you have purchased one full kit, more heads may be purchased to make additional dolls.  You are not authorized to make molds of any kind from this head.  Doing so would be a copyright violation.

Specify:

 Spun Cotton Ornament Class by Mail

Set of Five Push Molds for Spun Cotton Ornament Faces

This is a set of molds that you can use to make faces for your Spun Cotton Ornaments.  The molds are taken directly from antique doll heads that I own using silicone mold putty.

The face-masks produced with this set of molds range in size from 1 inch to 2-1/4 inches.  Sold only as a set; individual molds not available.  If you are buying my Spun Cotton Ornament Class by Mail, the class does contain instructions on how to make your own push molds. These molds are an optional, time-saving aid.

NOTE: This item is non-refundable.

Approximate time for me to make your item and get it in the mail: 4 – 5 weeks

$99.00