Cloth Dolls and Dress the Fox

At the sign of the Dancing Fox is an event in the Shire of Nordenhalle, Kingston NY in early February. 

There is food, dancing and a favorite of mine - Dress the fox!

Dress the fox is a family style activity where anyone who wishes may use materials to dress a fox during the time of the event. To keep the fox is a cost to support the activity otherwise it is a donation if able. While it used to be easier to provide regular fox plush for dressing and purchase, that isn't the case anymore. So I suggest that if you are going that you bring your own fox, and supply funds or materials as you are able to support. Maybe even donate homemade foxes for purchase in future years! 

Benefits of bringing your own fox:

• Not adding to the plush collection, but still being able to use what you make.
• Grow a single loved toy's wardrobe over years.
• You can prepare with patterns or your own materials if you wish.

And if you do not have a similar event near you, these resources may still be helpful for a child in your life or one at heart.

Benefits of having a cloth doll

• A cloth doll may be more durable than American Girl doll style dolls. 
• A standard doll sized cloth doll can either share closets and accessories with a standard doll OR be an alternative to the more expensive dolls while also being a keepsake. 
• Pixiefaire.com is a good resource for multiple doll sizes. Generally 18in(Standard) and 14 inch(Wellie Wishers) American girl dolls seem most commonly designed for.
• A cloth doll that fits those sizes is easier to build or buy a wardrobe and may get more play. 

Patterns for Fox dolls:

• Sewn: https://www.weewonderfuls.com/product/make-along-fernie-fox-pattern/ 
• Sewn: https://www.pixiefaire.com/products/fox-doll-18-cloth-doll-pattern Designed to fit 18in doll clothes
• Sewn: https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/quilting/free-fox-sewing-pattern good for little hands
• Crochet: https://www.whistleandivy.com/crochet-fox-toy-plushy-crochet-pattern/ 
• Crochet: https://sarahdeecrochet.com/forest-the-fox/ looks like it might fit Wellie Wisher clothes?
• Crochet: https://hobbii.com/products/hp-1008406-rita-fox 
• Knit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/505646180/knit-a-teddy-fox 
• Knit: https://www.mamainastitch.com/easy-fox-knitting-pattern/ good for little hands
• Etsy is a great resource too!
• Buy: https://critterfolk.com/ personally I supported the Kickstarter for Frasier the fox. Similar size to American Girl, low end of chest and high end of hip, since the dolls vary over the years.

Sewing In miniature: A use for scrap fabric

As a kid I always wanted to include my favorite toys in the SCA too! At first that meant asking for all of Felicity Merriman's clothes for my American Girl doll and struggling with my teddy bear. As I got older I was lucky to have all the scraps from a garb merchant (my mother) at my disposal to learn to make clothes, mostly by draping to recreate the shapes I saw around me.

I struggled with not always having guidance and not knowing I could ask for cutting guides to modify into miniature. Now that there are so many more resources for sewing toy clothes, and I have more knowledge than when I was younger. I want to help guide kids to engage in the SCA by bringing their toy friends into the fun too!

Tips for garbing in miniature:

• Use cutting guides for adults but divide measurements by about 3 for 18 dolls and most Bears. You can learn these cutting guides by attending classes or by asking others who sew garb. 18 inch dolls and B-a-B tend to be about ⅓ scale, while Barbie is ⅙ scale.
• Find patterns for modern items designed for woven fabric and modify them into more period shapes. There are a lot of free patterns online, and some paid ones are even in period styles.

Four Legged buddies are a bit trickier but still doable. I hope to make another post covering tricks for them.

Free Resources

• PAcountrycrafts: the peasant blouse is the modern version of a chemise
• AGplaythings: contains links to some of the original American Girl doll outfits
• Reed Creations: a good cloak is a must for a doll going outdoors! Some scrap wool is best for rain protection
• Reed Creations : colonial garments may be useful to modify as well

Paid resources 

• PixieFaire: a lot of paid patterns to download online. Doll Tag clothing on there has some period type patterns
• lee & pearl October 2015 newsletter: There is a free modification to a paid pattern, and some other fun ideas</p>

Parents: Scaling patterns down can be good math practice or an opportunity to introduce a new skill.