Marie Antoinette Pincushion

So my latest swap is a Marie Antoinette inspired pin cushion. I hadn’t started my swap piece because to tell you the truth I had no idea what to do. I’m a paper artist. It’s hard to stick pins into paper, but I did want to stretch myself a bit – that’s what these swaps are supposed to be about, right?  This swap pushed me in an area I really have never gone.

It was pretty odd at the fabric store Tuesday trying to explain to the gal behind the cutting counter what I was using it for. I kept trying to explain the concept of “swapping” but she just couldn’t get past the idea of the pin cushion. I decided to give up and just allow her to believe that I swap pin cushions with people all over the world.

I used this picture to inspire me.

I love the muted colors then the pop of his red jacket. Her peplum is a lovely shade of aubergine. It just made me think that with all that flounce I could probably stick pins into it if I stuffed it with enough batting. I am going to use her as my muse and see what happens.

I began with an angel head and hands that I purchased at the craft store. I painted them white. I knew I wanted soft colors for this piece so I shopped for the perfect fabric. I found a lovely pink diamond satin and an aubergine  toile. I’m still a paper artist at heart so I thought I would use a round paper mache box as the base and then attach the doll body to the box with a toilet tissue tube stuffed with newspaper.  I know, not too glamorous, but it worked great. I then wrapped the tube tightly with cotton batting forming the flounce of her skirt. and covered it with the dress skirt I made.

By the way, I so appreciate now my dear mother who taught me to sew. She used to sew all our clothes and our doll clothes.  It is because of her that I know a little about sewing and patterns, but I have to say sewing those tiny sleeves and getting them to “poof” pushed my patience to the limit.

I added the peplums to her dress by gathering up the fabric and again poofing it up and attaching it with my glue gun.

I wanted her to be beautiful and functional so I lined the inside of the box with Antoinette music sheets so my swap partner will be able to fill her with sewing supplies if she wishes.

While thumbing through my Marie Magazine I saw a beautiful piece created my Sandra Evertson,  entitled “Tempest in a Teapot. “  She is so amazingly talented. Her Marie Antoinette doll is richly detailed and what impressed me the most was her hand painted face that I tried to replicate on my doll.  I thought I had a pretty steady hand but Sandra puts me to shame. This is the one area I wish I would have done differently. Perhaps a smaller brush would have worked better or tilting the eyelids upward. She looks a little sad:)

  For the hair I purchased cotton roving. I I twisted and wrapped it around her head creating the up do.  I added lots of bling including a Marie signature dove and, TaDa! Finished.

I usually don’t work with fabric too much but this was fun. It didn’t come out exactly how I would have liked but I am happy with it.  I may even make another for myself but I think I will do it more in my style – more paper!

I hope my partner Robin of Gilded Cage Designs loves her.  I will be receiving a creation from Sassy Designs soon and I can’t wait to see what she dreams up for me. I hope you enjoyed my photos. Hopefully it has inspired you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new yourself, now go out and create something new – any “pretty little thing” will do!

Amada

Comments

[Carrie]

Amada - I love this. She is an absolute beauty and functional too. Your swaps are amazing and the inspiration you pull from Marie is incredible!

I can't wait to see what you get back.

[Cassandra]

Oh my goodness this is SOOO amazing! She is so soft and sweet! You did an amazing job. I just love her updo, and the idea about the box is WONDERFUL. :)

[tristanrobin]

this is really fabulous - you should be proud of her!