After much hard work and wondering what I got myself into Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas is finally complete! Actually, she was picked up Saturday night... but she was one seriously epic accomplishment.
At a final length of around 2 1/2 feet long she is the most complicated toy/doll I've made so far. Originally she was intended to be a bit smaller but not much smaller than her eventual size. When making a toy, or receiving a custom request for toy, I like to start with the smallest feature in the item's design to establish the minimum scale needed since I can always go bigger. In the case of Sally I started with the eyes and to give her that great "big eyed" look. In making her eyes super crisp she required the additional size which resulted in her toddler scale.
From the head, and facial features, I proceeded to the neck and torso. Her arms I kept nice and simple and added those great stitches details before stuffing them and connecting them to her body. I started her legs from the pointed toes of her boots, adding the stiletto heels before making the stocking socks, and again added stitches details before stuffing and connecting to her body. In a confusing and ultimately challenging decision I convinced myself that making the dress around Sally would be easier than making a pattern and crocheting the swatches together. So I wrestled the nearly naked doll around for the better part of a month or so working her dress together. I write "nearly naked" because knowing she'd be without apparel for awhile I crocheted a bandeau style bra to her upper torso and gave her black bloomers. (It was creepy enough having a bald Sally laying around in bits and pieces so I figured the least I could do was prevent her from being naked.) Between crocheting irregular sections of dress patchwork together I went back into the dress with black yarn adding those boarding stitches and other detail designs. Sally's hair pulling and haircut were the final stage of her laborious creation. In total I guesstimate spending over 50 hours crocheting Sally and another 7 hours working on her hair.
Sally was made only with Caron One Pound yarn, 2 black beads, and a lots of Polyfil and patience! Having spent so much time with her hanging around my living room I miss that spooky girl but I know she's in a great home and very appreciated. Can't say I plan on making another one of her anytime soon, but maybe if someone asks very-very nicely I'll change my mind!
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