I like learning new things.

Recently I spotted a doll-making course running locally, but at £177, I decided I couldn’t afford it.

But having learned the basics of doll-assembly at my Hope and Elvis course with Jess Quinn, I didn’t really need to do another one.

So I have been sort of running my own course, just for me, in my own kitchen, at my own pace, over numerous cups of tea in my own mug.

£177 funds a lot of cups of Earl Grey.

I have been teaching myself to draft doll’s clothes patterns, armed with an old roll of lining paper, a ruler, a pencil, a couple of pairs of scissors, a mould-stained curtain lining – and a determined grimace.

It’s fair to say that I have had some frustrations and some failures.

But yesterday, having a minor triumph to celebrate, I graduated to proper fabric – and made my first miniature collared dress!

I’ll probably do it slightly differently in future, but only by doing it have I learned how.

Flushed with my tiny success, I decided to add a bit of decorative embroidery.

And then, because I liked the way that turned out, I got a bit over-excited.

I felt that my doll was a bit too sweet and girl-next-door, so I decided to give her a couple of tattoos…

I used to want a tattoo when I was very young. They were a bit more edgy and risqué back then and much less common than nowadays.

My sister ended up being the brave one though. Having witnessed the process, I chickened out.

But do I rather like the idea of taking my needle and becoming a doll tattooist….

And yes, I’ve added scanties without having to make a separate pair, since independently-constructed scanties don’t fit very well under little tiny close-fitting dresses.

So I simply made the pants as part of the doll instead. I think they do the job quite well…

I do like learning new things.

Especially at home, in the warm, with a cuppa in hand. ♥