Welcome to Maria's Doll School for Cloth Doll Patterns & Tutorials
If you like sewing, crafting, appliqué, patchwork, embroidery, drawing, painting, textiles then you'll LOVE doll making! A personally made cloth doll is something that has infinite value, an heirloom that will last and last, a piece of art that you create from your heart and joy. Download your free cloth doll pattern here!
FREE CLOTH DOLL TUTORIALS AT MARIA'S DOLL SCHOOL YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
In-person live workshop in Hove! Make an easy no-sew Frida peg doll for gifts & self expression...
Grab your cuppa and cake and let's get around a nice big wooden table and craft the morning away in this fun, easy and friendly in-person workshop. Please register your interest by clicking here and filling out the contact form or booking a call with Maria!
"I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you."
~Frida Kahlo
The making of a man doll
Hello dollies! So I've been making cloth dolls for about 10 years now or so! Wow how time has flown, I just love it. It all began when a friend used to come over on Saturdays for 'crafternoon' and we'd make with our textile bits and bobs. One such Saturday she bought over a book of how to make up-cycled t-shirt rabbits in a lovely Japanese style and we made one each.
Well I was delighted with my rabbit and thought, surely if I replace the ears with hair and do more of a face, would that become a doll? The answer was yes and that's how it all began! Making cloth dolls has given me a safe, loving and gentle space to hang out in which I much needed. Read about my back-story below...
Hove woman on how making dolls helped heal childhood trauma
The Argus, Brighton UK: 10.10.2020
A WOMAN who suffered with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) all her life has been helping people around the world with her classes in making healing “inner child” dolls.
To mark World Mental Health Day today, Maria wants to raise awareness about the coping mechanisms that helped her deal with a deep depression and anxiety she has suffered with since childhood. #MentalHealthAwareness
I'm just so excited to welcome you to the most amazing, creative and just super fun hobby that I've ever discovered - and I have lots of hobbies! But this is really something that grows and grows and will give you the chance to explore and dive into your creative and fun resources in such a fantastical way!
I really feel that you have as much fun making your dolls as I do. The great thing with doll-making is that you can use whatever materials you have to hand and up-cycle pre-loved clothing.
I would like to offer comfort to you and say at this point to not worry if you find any of it difficult. Often things are when they're new and unknown, but once you've done it a few times it will be so easy and fun! So if you've never made a doll before then dive into beginners mind and see what magical creation wants to happen through you!
And like anything in life, your way is The Way!
I would love for you to find your way of crafting, making and creating and use this outlet as a way of discovering your amazing uniqueness...
Did you know that the journey of the soul is to remember and re-discover your gifts? No one can do what you do just like you can dolly.
I wish you every joy in your doll-making journey! Big hugs, Maria Doll x
María's Doll School – Making grown up children's dreams come true
So this is me, this is my inner child. We are the same one. It’s taken me decades to realise that engaging in play, doll play, any kind of play is me being with my inner child.
What’s that? It’s the deeper part of me, the primal part, the part that is affectionate, playful and innocent. So these childhood representations of sugar and spice and all things nice are actually more symbolic and powerful than you may think.
Go to any antique auction and the Steiff teddy bears go for gazillions, especially if you got one made by the great teddy bear grandmother Margarete Steiff! A handmade doll by the Lenci doll company (Enrico di Scavini and Elena (nee Konig) Scavini) is worth a fortune.
Why? These are symbolic representations of comfort, beautify and being able to instantly step into space where everything is delightful.
The teddy bear and cloth doll movement supersized in the 20th Century due to the terrible wars that recked havoc all around the world.
So what’s the opposite of all that trauma and tragedy? Dolls and bears.
An instant return to all that is lovely, sweet and charming.
A master doll maker and dearest friend once said to me: “Maria, you have given me permission to actually play with my dolls.”
