The Fashion File - The Sleeping Elf

The Fashion File - The Sleeping Elf

How did you discover BJDs (SDs, Delf, Ai whatever types you collect)?

It was a kind of rediscovery… I knew about Volks SD, but never really looked at them. I have been making miniatures for 13 years, and bears… and the occasional soft sculpted doll.

What got you started in making clothing for them?

I began making clothes straight away. I have won several awards for my miniatures, so it is almost second nature to make clothes and toys for my tiny collection. Because I had been making my bears for so long I felt as though I wanted a change, not to give up my bear making, but I was making them all of the time and teaching it too. I was also taking a City and Guilds teaching course so I felt swamped by teddy bears! Making the tiny clothes helped me to relax and more than anything I love playing with my dolls and creating for them. I soon realized I was collecting and making more clothes than I would ever need.

When did you first start selling your clothing?

Straight away, as soon as I had made my first collection I sort of fell into it. I did put a couple on Ebay. Collectors saw pictures of the outfits and that was the beginning.

What inspired your business name?

The Sleeping Elf - well apart from loving Elves, Tolkien and Terry Pratchette I customized a Unoa sleeping head plate; I turned her into a sleeping elf. The name felt right, so I went for it! I'm so happy that I will soon having a Luts Cory and the sleeping head will become my Sleeping Elf. I have been hunting for the right Sleeping Elf since I parted with my Unoa!

Did you encounter any obstacles before selling/marketing your clothes?

No not really. I am very lucky to have a work room so I had everything in place to make the outfits. I have hoarded fabrics and ribbons for years and I used to write miniature knitwear patterns for a magazine so have boxes of yarn and miniature knitting pins (which is piano wire). I think I had the attitude "Ok if it works, it works. If it doesn't, I'm going to have very well dressed dolls!

What is your favorite fabric/material to work with?

Ditsy prints or the vintage repro prints have to be my favorite. My all time favorite is a Mable Lucy Attwell print with bunnies and birds on it. I adore that all my little girls have a dress made in it! I have nursery and flowers and animals… I'm like a kid and I can't help it. It's the "Pack Rat" in me.

I also love matching up the fabric with yarn and knitting their little cardigans. When I see the fabric I'm always thinking of the cardigan that would go with it. I have boxes of tiny, tiny buttons and beads. The only pain is trying to get very small snappers to go on the outfits.

What is your least favorite fabric/material to work with?

Silk, I don't like it! I feel I should but I don't! I made a shear- silk chiffon fairy outfit the once and it drove me nuts. The outfit was beautiful with purples, shear and glimmering. I decorated it with tiny flower beads but never again. In my work box I have a square of white silk with yellow embroidered roses on. It is beautiful and I know I cant get any more. I keep looking at it but I dread making it up. I think if I did make it up I would never sell it.

What has been the most rewarding part of making clothes?

I love photography so most of the time when I'm making up the outfit I'm planning the photo shoot after. I love Pocket Fairies. They are such beautiful models, seeing them all dressed in the outfits always makes me smile. Its hard to be grumpy when you play with dolls and teddies for a living.

What is the most difficult part of making clothes for your dolls?

Pattern drafting - I don't find it easy but my Mother used to be a Tailor so I have now enlisted her help. She makes the Pattern Block, she is so brainy!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Oh everywhere! A piece of fabric, a skein of yarn, my love for Tolkien etc. I can be making a bear and it will inspire me to make an outfit. Equally now though, when I make an outfit, it will send me dashing off to create a bear.

What has been your favorite outfit/piece so far and why is it your favorite?

That's a tough one. I love the cardigan and dress outfits. They are classics and they always remind me of clean dressed babies that smell of baby powder. But I think my favorite has to be the fairy I did it in 2 sizes, Elf and PocketFairy / Aga. It took forever as it was decorated in tiny daisy beads, gold thread, silk ribbons and had a head dress that took forever to bead, but I loved making it.

Where do you usually sell your clothing?

Most of my outfits sell straight of my website although sometimes I will list one on Ebay.

Are there any tips or advice for novice "seamstresses" you'd like to share?

Have a go! My sewing teacher told me to give up sewing. Ok I had just stitched up my finger on my sewing exam so I can't say sewing came easy to me. I'm so glad I didn't listen to her. 13 years ago I was determined to have a go at it and I wanted to make something for my daughter, so I did. See if you can get a pattern, its easier to practice on. Make up something nice and easy first and get yourself a fade-out marker pen for drawing out the pattern, some small sharp scissors and very fine needles (my favorite size is a number 12). Keep your stitches small and enjoy yourself.

Who is your favorite model?

Pocket Fairy, I just love making outfits for them.

Who is your "dream doll"?

Oh no that's a terrible question as there are so many I have fallen in love with. My favorite type of dolls are the miniatures PocketFairies and I especially love boy dolls. I will cover my PocketFairy's ears but dream doll is Hound. Especially my Haldir, he is perfection. Utterly breathtaking, I shook when I saw him on Luts for the first time. I had to have him so I got him but he drives me nuts because he is so big! I'm just not used to handling or even taking photos of something that size but the sculpt is incredible .So he sits by me and just looks awesome.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself, your dolls or your clothing?

Some of my newest work is very special. Tiny dresses made from vintage fabrics. I find them incredibly hard to work with but the end result is something I am very proud of. I have so many ideas to come I wish I didn't have to sleep!

When I bought my first BJD over a year ago now I never realized what a large part of my life they would become. I have met new friends, have a new obsession and a new business. It's a wonderful community!

I started a group on Yahoo whilst anxiously waiting for my Hound to arrive. The group is for Dollshe fans and it's called "Hound Calling". It is dedicated to Dollshe Hound and Bermann. It's a great group and I have met some lovely people on it. When I started it I thought there would only be a couple of us but there is over 100 now and the number is still rising!

I don't have plans to make outfits for that size though but I will never say never. Especially now my mother is showing an interest. She has worked with me for the past 13 years and the other half of LITTLEBLOOMERS. We are doll and bear artists, multi-award winners and proud members of The British Toymakers Guild. I have gone from making outfits for the tiny Pocket Fairy and Elf to Aga, then to the smaller Gienne, and have even more planned… Hypermanic tiny and Leekedolls. This is fueled even more now that I have my first Leeke (her name is Kili).

I am finding the Leeke BJD beautiful to work with. The first outfit from THE SLEEPING ELF is featured here and there will be more because this size had opened up more creating opportunities. I am very exited about it. I am also waiting for Luts Cory - a Suntan Leeke to arrive and a Unoa boy. I find you are limited only by your imagination, or your dreams and I am "gone with the fairies". Or should I say "I dream the dreams of The Sleeping Elf".