My dolls, it seems, are a bit like buses.

None for ages, and then three come along at once.

This is the first time I’ve had more than one on the go at the same time. I thought I would see if I could do it – create three different personalities simultaneously, I mean. Because I wasn’t sure that I could.

So far, each doll I’ve made has been the one and only during the entirety of it’s making. Started, snipped, stitched and finished before beginning to think about the next one.

I wasn’t sure whether making three at the same time would work. Would they end up as identical triplets?

Or would I find myself focusing just on one of them until it was done, before I could bring myself to bring the others to life?

As it turned out, the three of them all progressed together until it was time to make their clothes. And they still emerged unique and fully-formed personalities.

Cecily was the first to be finished. I was just dying to use the spare fabric from my weekend renovation project, and she was the beneficiary.

She is a little bit prim, but kindly, not unpleasantly so.

I really like her frock. To avoid a struggle with fraying Tricel, as far as possible I used seams and hems that were already in the fabric offcut from my frock. It seemed to work.

Next up is Sally, the girl-next-door. She is full of fun, a bit cheeky and bohemian, with a penchant for bright colours.

I am jealous of her hair.

Last but not least, Abigail is named for the Mike Leigh play, Abigail’s Party.

And yes, I know that the character I have in mind is actually called Bev, not Abigail.

But my doll just had to be called Abigail anyway, just because she looks like she’s dressed for a 1970s party.

I am going to list a few of the dolls in my Etsy shop shortly, although I’m not sure which ones yet.

In the meantime, there’s quite a little party going on in my workspace as their numbers grow.

Vol-au-vent, anyone? ♥