I decided that my youngest granddaughter needed a granny made doll for Christmas and I loved the one I made for Small Beginnings, Great Expectations so much that I wanted to copy it.

For the doll itself I used some stretch calico that had come from the stash of baby I’s great grandmother (Oma). It was quite pale so I dyed it with tea. The colour was frankly disappointing so I got out the paints again. I made the whole doll, embroidered the face, which was creepy, and then unpicked it all as I just wasn’t happy with it – a massive fail!

Luckily I had more fabric so I began again and this time I dyed the “skin” with coffee and it was so much better. The stretch calico proved rather troublesome as I just couldn’t get the neck to be stuffed enough. I unpicked it and stuffed it from the top, then I unpicked the shoulder and stuffed it from the side. In the end, I decided it was a bit wobbly but ok.

Whilst all this was going on with the skin, I made a dress to cheer myself up. I used some upcycled denim from my stash and lined the bodice with some red cotton lawn which is leftover from this year’s Christmas outfit (to be shown soon).

For some reason I cut the skirt of the dress too short so I added some gathered lace from my mother’s stash. I am surprised how much I like it.

I made her some knickers but they looked really ugly so I added two rows of a different gathered lace, again from my mother’s stash.

I made the boots/socks as a test and was able to use them here.

The knickers look really sweet under the dress.

It was whilst making her hair that I began calling the doll “Denim”. I’m not sure why, something about the colours in the hair reminded me of denim. And then of course, there’s the dress…!

I used a strip of velcro on the back of the dress and the opening goes the full length which makes for much easier dressing and undressing by little hands.

I quite like the articulated arms. I had thought to articulate the legs as well using teddy bear joints but it didn’t work as I wanted, so her legs are hand sewn on instead of being machine sewn.

In spite of my multiple difficulties, I really like this doll. Her face is sweet and I adore the hair. I do hope she gets enjoyed. I shall be making more clothes for her at some point

We don’t see too much of Pepper now her family has decamped to their new house, so I was rather pleased to visit with her and loll on the outdoor sofa whilst I watch the garage being built. I do love her facial expressions.