Makeover time for the Patroness Of TOTE!

This full size needle-sculpted head has just been finished. I took my time with it and have spent the afternoon making it. I want to replace the head of my Patroness of TOTE!

She has had three makeovers with the same head, for the last three years, and the original head, which was only made from an old sheet - has lasted all this time in all sorts of weather, most days! She is looking somewhat faded now and she is due for her yearly makeover, and so another head is required.

The Patroness normally stands outside The Oamaru Textile Emporium where I sell my dolls and volunteer on Fridays! People love to be photographed beside her.

I have learned a lot more about doll making since I first made the original one in 2013. Having said that, she has stood the test of time very well! This time, I am thinking she will be dressed in Blue, because we have a large quantity of Furnishing fabric in a blue going begging!

This is a dressmakers dummy that I made a head for, to advertise the place that sells my dolls and the textiles at The Oamaru Textile Emporium, here in Oamaru, for 2012

I gave her a change of clothing for 2013, but was not delighted with it.  Too much else on, so I just left her as she was.

This year we wer given some great fabrics - off cuts of quality curtaining, which was just right to make a new street clothing for the Patroness of TOTE!

 I made use of the wonderful fabric to make roses and ruffles, etc.  Someone also gave me plenty of wide lace, so I made a sumptuous neck ruffle and set it off with a simple hat, as anything that catches the wind is not good!

Here is the Patroness of TOTE, posing with my daughter Tracey!  You'd be surprised at how many people have their photo's taken with her - some men kissing her cheek!  She just smiles!

Well - here she is - still not completely finished, but enough to give you an idea of what whe looks like!  She sure stands out on the street!  This is not a good photo, but you can get a good idea of her height here beside my granddaughter Frankie and her partner Tony.  I'll get some better pics soon and by then she should be finished properly with a much wider belt, etc.

The Patroness of TOTE - The Oamaru Textile exchange in the Victorian Precinct!

Remember this Mannequin?

The neck was too stiff and unsatisfactory, so............off with her head!  Abit of paint to the base - it's already looking more like it!

I decided to see if I could just make a cloth one that didn't have anything hard in it, so I tried this out - Just like any ordinary doll head, and needlesculped it with a BIG needle. She's a big gawky, but hey - she's eyecatching! 

 

 I changed her wig and made a false dress front that looks like a shirt dress with a high collar.  She's wearing the toile I've made for her coat, which I hope to get together shortly.  It's not the finished length, but you get the drift?

She's looking quite excited at having a makeover don't you think?  The coat will be interesting..............I hope.  Certainly a different colour - or two!  Had to work some magic with the neck to hold it all up, but Colleen Babcock gave me a great idea with her new mystery pattern that has worked a treat!

I bought a big picture hat and have tried to make it kind of victorian.  Eventually it will have colour on it to 'doll' it up a bit!

All I hope is that it will weather well enough this summer!  It will be outside most of the time as advertising.  I can just see tourists standing beside her for a photo opportunity!  LOL!  She's over six feet tall!  I'll keep you posted about the next step!