People often talk about the thrill of the chase. But for me, it’s all about the thrill of the make.

When it all comes together, making is the best thing in the world. I’ve just completed the latest batch of Liberty dolls, which are now winging their way off to the shops, and thought I would show them off, because they really are a thrill to make.

People often ask me to sell these dolls to them direct from Instagram or Facebook, but I have to explain that I am sorry but I can’t, because they are not really mine to sell.

These particular dolls are an ongoing collaboration between me (the maker) and Sarah Campbell, internationally acclaimed artist and textile designer, who commissions them.

The dolls are stitched from a selection of Sarah’s beautiful vintage Liberty fabrics, supplied from her own personal archive.

All of the fabrics used (apart from bits for boots and trims) were designed by Sarah for Liberty as one half of legendary fabric design duo Collier Campbell: the other half of the partnership, Susan Collier, was Sarah’s sister, who very sadly died a few years ago.

It is a huge thrill each time I am asked to make a batch of these dolls. I open up the parcel of fabrics Sarah sent me and start to sift through all of the amazing pattern and colour within, placing wools and cottons, lawns and flannels together until I find the combinations from which to create dolls.

I never have any problem feeling inspired…

I feel immensely privileged to work with these wonderful and historic fabrics, and with Sarah herself, who has long been one of my design heroes.

Once completed, the dolls go off to Sarah to sell via her website and various other outlets, including at the moment – thrillingly! – Selvedge’s online shop!

This is why I cannot reserve them for people, nor sell them directly myself. I hope you understand. You are, of course, most welcome to buy them from Selvedge, or to contact Sarah to request a special order.

It is a thrill for me to see them for sale in outlets in which, without Sarah’s input, I could only aspire to have my work appear.

And, of course, the main thing is that it allows me to spend time doing what I enjoy most…

Enjoying the thrill of the make. ♥