Year 7 & 8 Textiles students made their dolls over a trimester (12 week period). Each student worked through
a design process in their visual diary to create their own unique individual fantasy doll. This unit of work allows
each student to experience both 2D and 3D art forms of drawing, painting (watercolour and acrylic), silk screen printing,
sewing both machine and hand.

The Process

Students started with brainstorming ideas for the characteristics for their doll. The face, body and decoration was
discussed and recorded in their visual diary.

• The artwork of Mirka Mora was researched and discussed
• Two A4 size drawings were required for initial ideas
• The face was explored concentrating on practising drawing and painting of individual features such as eyes,
  nose and mouth. A demonstration of how to paint realistic eyes was shown
• A facial template was traced on to paper and used to practise positioning features in visual diary. Two paper
  designs were required
• Students then repeated this process on to fabric (cotton lawn)
• Students chose their best design and recorded it by using the photocopier to keep a record of the final face
  design
• Students researched sewing/embroidery stitches on the internet recording at least 6. This information was used
  later on as decoration on the body
• Students were taught running stitch through demonstration and were then required to trial and sample both stitches
  on single fabric and using double to create a seam
• Students stitched the face together applying learned stitching techniques.
• Silk-Screen Printing was discussed and students researched the artwork of Andy Warhol
• A demonstration of the process was shown. Acrylic paint was used directly on to the screen and dragged through
  the silk using a squeegee blending a multitude of colour. Colour selection was considered at length
• Students created a trial of the process. Then commenced to print the body using canvas as the preferred fabric
  due to its strength and durability
• Templates were used to cut out the front and back of the doll. At this stage some students considered arms using
  their own templates
• The sewing machine was used to sew up the body. Trialing was required
• Head and body were ready to be filled with acrylic filling, firmly.
• Head was attached to the body
• Decoration was applied. This is the fun bit where students see their dolls characters evolve from bits and pieces
  that they have collected over the trimester as well as, what is available in class. That is anything from wool,
  string, beads, button, ribbons, coloured threads, feathers… Its endless
• Process writing (all considered working methods are recorded in a step by step process and recorded in visual
  diary) was required as well as, a personal reflection of the task.

 
Ballarat and Clarendon College