All items by flora knight dolls

hand embroidered vintage linen art dolls

Hello, welcome to Flora Knight Dolls.

I trained and worked as a surface pattern designer for many years, but I have enjoyed all types of art and crafts from an early age. I made my first doll at the age of ten, Queen Elizabeth I complete with red velvet robes, a ruff and gold tiara. I also fell in love with embroidery at school whilst taking textile design at O level. I always kept up my embroidery as a hobby, but now I am offering some of my dolls for sale.

I start with a simple pencil drawing in my sketchbook, which I then enlarge, by eye, not on a scanner, this way I can change the design where needed. I use a light box to draw the finished design in magic marker pen onto the vintage linen, which I carefully select from my collection. I have collected linen for many years from antique fairs and flea markets. Then I sew around the edge with tiny hand stitches and carefully stuff. I embroider straight onto the doll, not on a hoop, as the embroidery can become difficult to turn the right way out. Then I spend hours and hours embroidering whilst listening to the World Service. A new doll will emerge after two to three weeks, depending on how large or intricate she is. The tiny dolls take about a week to complete.

I love nature and wildlife, gardening, my little yorkiepoo and I'm dangerously fond of the afternoon tea !

I hope you enjoy your visit, I am more than happy to answer any queries :) Flo

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