Get The Technique
We're pretty big on Dreamers Into Doers around here, which is why I'm so happy to present Hillary Lang today.
A librarian on maternity leave, she started Wee Wonderfuls as a way to document her creations and connect with the crafts community. What started as a blog has grown into an online business and a book. From traditional button-joint bears to topsy-turvy dolls, this is a lovely read and how-to guide on the practice of doll-making.
Lucky for us, Hillary has generously agreed to share the Mermaiden pattern. Not only is it sea-inspired, it uses my favorite technique of free-motion quilting. Isn't her corduroy hair just great?
Hillary writes, "Mermaiden was the last project I did for the book and it turned out to be one of my favorites. For inspiration I was trying to recall all my favorite toys as a kid and I remembered these great pocket sized plastic mermaid dolls I had as a girl. They had long brushable hair and these cute little chubby mermaid bodies. They were so sweet and lovable, not really glamour gals like the mermaids in play these days. My daughter Phoebe loves her non-glittery mermaid and the fact that she's not really waterproof doesn't stop her from carrying her to the pool in the pocket of her coverup!"
For full instructions on how to make your own Mermaiden, click here. Need help with tracing patterns or cutting them out? She's got you covered.
P.S.: There is also a cute book trailer that Hillary and her husband put together, which can also be seen on the STC Craft blog.
From: Gina Power | 8/6/10 at 8:01 am
I love this doll and would like to try to make her but when I click for the pattern there are a lot of hatch marks all over the instructions making it impossible to read. Any suggestions to get around this??
Thanks, as a new subscriber to this blog I am really looking forward to lots of great posts
Gina
From: giozi | 8/6/10 at 9:18 am
I've fallen in love with the mermaid
From: Melanie @ Whimsical Creations | 8/6/10 at 2:35 pm
She is just precious.
From: Lisa N | 8/6/10 at 3:49 pm
Sadly, the text in the PDF is also messed up for me. I have tried in two different browsers
Such an adorable pattern--I hope you are able to fix the pattern PDF.
From: Kory Beavers | 8/6/10 at 4:22 pm
Ditto on Gina's post. Is there a way to get a proper PDF file?
From: nanann | 8/6/10 at 4:44 pm
I'm having the same problems with the pdf file as Gina above -- lots of hatch marks and missing letters in the first 3 pages. The pattern pieces on the last page look fine though.
From: nanann | 8/6/10 at 5:16 pm
Nevermind! Gina: upgrade your Adobe Reader and it will be fine!
From: Lisa N | 8/6/10 at 7:13 pm
Thank you, nanann! As a clarification, Adobe Reader 9 is needed. I had Adobe Reader 8, and when I clicked to check for updates, it said there were none available. I had to go the Adobe site to download version 9. Took forever to download and install, but well worth it for this adorable pattern!
From: Gail | 8/6/10 at 7:41 pm
Love Hillary!!! Her patterns are truly wonderful!!! I am having the same troubles with PDF as stated above.
From: Stephanie Monroe | 8/6/10 at 7:53 pm
So cute. I like that she's not glam, just super cute and perfect for any little girl!
Simple, easy pattern, and beautiful colors! Love it!
From: paula | 8/7/10 at 5:58 pm
i ve been reading hillary blog for five years now. i ve seen her son and daughter grow! shes really talented! love her stories!
From: emilie rebekah | 8/7/10 at 11:23 pm
I'm making this mermaid this week with my daughter. How fun! I love how lovable this is.
-emilie
From: handmadeflowers | 8/8/10 at 1:21 am
I love wee wonderfuls. Thanks for the mermaid pattern. I did not have any problems with the pdf file.
From: Tricia Mazza | 8/8/10 at 3:02 am
I can not wait to sew this one with my 6year old! She will love it!
From: Sherry | 8/8/10 at 2:37 pm
I updated my adobe reader and that didn't help. any other suggestions? would like to make this , its really cute. thanks.
From: Gina Power | 8/9/10 at 8:48 am
Thanks for the tip nanann - it worked
From: Eliza B. | 8/9/10 at 11:53 am
What an adorable pattern! It's a brilliant idea, her blog and book, especially since so many people are interested in "back to basics" playthings and parent-child connections -- and a mini mermaid doll is a perfect choice for a summer-themed project
From: Anita P | 8/9/10 at 1:21 pm
I think my reign as aunt of the year will be extended once my little neices get a glimpse of these supercute dolls of their very own!!!
From: Doris | 8/9/10 at 8:53 pm
I still can't read the pdf. I updated my Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional, and it did not help.
From: bayleesan | 8/18/10 at 10:39 pm
Very cute doll, but not the greatest pattern. Stitching the curves of the arms was very difficult. Turning the bang section of the hair proved impossible with my small whale cord. Ultimately I ended up doing both by hand. I appreciate the free pattern but it there are methods to make these difficult parts more workable that should be included in the pattern. Either way my girls love them and that's what matters. Thanks.
From: Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love | Paper Boat Fabrics | 8/23/10 at 8:47 pm
[...] The Mermaiden [...]
From: Balancing Everything » Mermaid doll | 8/24/10 at 6:14 pm
[...] mermaid doll pattern from Wee Wonderfuls ← T-shirt [...]
From: Inspiration — Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts | 8/25/10 at 8:31 am
[...] can find a free pattern for the mermaid on the Martha Stewart [...]
From: Janimal | 9/21/10 at 2:06 pm
I just bought this book and this was the first pattern I traced! What a lovely book.
From: Just for Me « mermaids | 10/11/10 at 1:19 pm
[...] can never resist a mermaid doll. These are perfect for little hands. They could also be a lovely party favor for a mermaid themed [...]
From: Softie Making: resources for making handmade softies » Blog Archive » Mermaid Doll by Hillary Lang (Wee Wonderfuls) | 10/31/10 at 7:07 am
[...] Find it here: Mermaid Doll by Hillary Lang (Wee Wonderfuls) [...]
From: Project 8: Doll options « 50firstcrafts | 2/22/11 at 7:59 am
[...] doll Ruby doll Wee Wonderfuls Pointy Kitty [...]
From: Project 8: A finished doll « 50firstcrafts | 2/24/11 at 10:38 am
[...] friend and I did get together on Tuesday to make dolls. I made the Mermaiden above from the Wee Wonderfuls tutorial at marthastewart.com. She was entirely hand stitched and fun to make, though I’m not thrilled with her as my only [...]
From: Handmade Help for Japan | 3/16/11 at 8:36 pm
[...] A Wee Mermaid [...]
From: Hope McLeod | 5/30/11 at 8:41 am
She is adorable. There are so many ways to decorate her. This will be a great summer craft for my daughters. Thanks!
From: Baby Blocks | neurosesgalore.com | 7/5/11 at 10:55 pm
[...] I’m going to get to pyjamas this year so I’ll probably let her open her hat. Or her mermaiden if I get to it. Are you all set? I wrapped most of our gifts on Saturday night and feel totally [...]
From: Les 100 meilleurs tutos de 2010 | Couture Stuff | 7/7/11 at 11:56 am
[...] Glove Chipmunk from Miyako Kanamori for Etsy’s How-Tuesday. Mermaid from Hillary Lang for Martha Stewart. Counting Bean Bags from Chez Beeper Bebe. Gnomes from Gingercake. Fabric Nesting Dolls from Joel [...]
From: Mermaids | Easy Wind and Downy Flake | 9/16/11 at 3:54 pm
[...] I love the book Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love by Hillary Lang. You’ll be seeing a lot of it on this blog. My love for her work started with the Mermaiden doll. Free pattern found here. [...]
From: {one pretty pin} DIY mermaid dolls | Chickabug | 2/24/13 at 4:07 pm
[...] A little mermaid doll is a sweet favor for a mermaid party! They’re “pocket sized,” so they’re just the right size for a party favor bag. You can get full step-by-step instructions and download a pattern to make these dolls via Martha Stewart’s Crafts Dept. [...]