...which would it be and why?

There are 3 things I really like to do - sew, cross stitch, and write. BUT I want to make some moolah on the side and I won't do that by cross stitching (takes waaaay too long) or writing (ever try to publish something?) so that leaves sewing, which I also love.

But what I want to sew I'm not sure there is a market for. Ready? I want to make cloth dolls. Small-ish ones with their own blanket or outfit or stuffed puppy or carry-all.

Attached are some I've made in the past which I'm sure some of you have already seen.

What do you think? Do you think they would sell? Do kids / adults still play with dolls?

I love handcrafted dolls and usually buy them for the little ones in the family. Pretty dresses on Midge and Sarah. You do beautiful work. I am sure they would sell...but how many and often? I have no idea what size market there is. Good luck!

Those are really nice.

I love quilting and photography, I can't give up either.

Barbie clothes sell well at our church picnic

Cute dolls and Barbie clothes which young girls love.

I would choose quilting for my hobby all the way!!

Thanks for the compliments!

Barbie clothes, really? I didn't know girls still played with Barbies, I thought they had some new 11 1/2" doll out there now. I'm happy you said that though because I'm kind of tired of seeing those 18" outfits everywhere.

What about doll houses - do girls play with them? My daughter is now 24 and niece is 12 so haven't been around little girls for a while.

I quilt, make dolls and paint...now and then I do embroidery, knit and do a couple ceramics, I do have all the supplies to d0 all the above and I am not about to give any of it up lol.

Have you priced at retail Barbie clothes? They are fairly high. I would think Barbie clothes priced less than retail would sell!!

Oh boy, my favourites, quilting & cross stitching, I couldn't give up either. I do both almost daily at different times of the day.

Nancy.....Amelia & Elizabeth are beautiful. I don't have girls, & I'm not into "dolls" myself but one of those would definitely be in my sewing room for me to enjoy. How I would love her company!
Maureen

I will have to choose quilting, too much invested in this hobby.

Quilting and gardening depending on the season.

I'm not a doll person - never have been - but these are very nice. Have you tried etsy? That seems to be the place to be - or maybe eBay.

I love Amelia and Elizabeth! Good job!

I especially LOVE Elizabeth. She is absolutely beautiful.
Those eyes & lips are precious.

My two hobbies are weightlifting and quilting. I keep it to a minimum so I can focus my money, time and energy.

Weightlifting is great for my health, waistline, and happiness. I couldn't give that up.

Quilting is fun and I fit it in when I have time b/w work, husband, kids, and working out. I would hate to give it up...

As far as the doll clothes, I would look at what dolls are top sellers and the clothing for them. American Girl Dolls are popular and I think accessories are quite expensive. I am assuming there is a market, but I have 2 sons so I am not sure.

I know several people who are always looking for clothes for American Girl dolls which seem very popular. They are 18in dolls and the clothing for them is very expensive. My mom just made about 20 outfits for one of her DGGD's doll.

I love all the dolls ... very nice work. I bought a pattern for an 18" doll to see if it was too time consuming or frustrating to make. That's still waiting along with tons of other things. Last Christmas my niece's daughter (two months away from being six) rattled off all the barbie names of the ones she didn't get. I don't know at what age they no longer have interest but, I gotta say, the boxes full of toys and dolls I found in my parents' house was so much fun to go thru. I have a few of them displayed and it means so much to me. And although they aren't Barbies, they are fashionable young ladies :)
DI

Oh, I forgot ... I'd choose quilting. And sewing. And writing (song lyrics).
DI

Yes, kids do still play with dolls and adults often use them as decorations. As for me, I love Amelia and think she would look nice setting on a chair or bed in the bed room. Also, there is most likely a market for doll clothing to fit dolls like Barbie. However, I think it would be wise to do more research on how to price and market your products before mass producing either of these items. I wish you well in your future business.

I think the 11.5" doll dresses are still popular - especially if you sell them at a more reasonable price than the store ones. I had success with them by packaging them in clip-lock bags in groups of 5 different ones and advertising that they could buy them individually or in the 5 pack for a special price. I also allowed them to make their own selection for what went into the 5 pack. Everyone was happy that way.

Your dolls and their clothes are beautiful. Have you thought of opening an ETSY shop or selling on e-Bay? If you don't want to sell that way do you have another venue? Is there a local store (perhaps a fabric store whose fabrics you have used for the dolls and clothes) where you could display a few dolls on a trial basis? I think there is the potential for making some good $$ based these pictures but only if you can get into a place where it would be seen by people who would buy custom work like this.

As an alternative, what about going into your local fabric store(s) and showing the dolls and clothes and offering to do classes teaching how it's done?

I love the Elizabeth doll, she is precious. I wish i could make dolls too.

HOW CUTE I CROCHET DOLL DRESSES AND DOLL,BABY,AND LARGE AFGHAN.I CANNOT CROSS STITCH VERY WELL.FIRST THOUGH I LIKE TO MAKE QUILTS TOPS.I DON'T HAVE A LONG ARM AND FMQ AIN'T FOR ME OR AT LEAST THATS WHAT I KEEP TELLING MYSELF.

Nancy, if I did not sew I would definitely buy Amelia and Elizabeth for my granddaughters. They are absolutely adorable. Find a children's boutique or sell them on line. A young woman in our local area is selling dolls on line. There was a write up in the paper within the last several months and she said she started out in her house and has now moved into a seperate building and has two other women helping her.

i love your dolls!!! My youngest daughter's best friend is Amelia!!! I think they would make great gifts!!!

Well you have all given me hope! lol

I've wanted to do this - something - for quite some time and find that I just keep thinking it or saying it or posting on mb's and have decided that I'd better either do it or shut up about it. As far as quilting I like the piecing but not the quilting, AT ALL, and tend to make small things occassionally so I don't get too frustrated.

I also contemplated making children's clothes but decided that I would have to deal with the mothers and not being a real "people person" that's probably out, unless I make to donate and that would be ok but I donate gently used clothing anyway and am looking to make some money.

That leaves the dolls, who seem to make most people smile. After you put them together and give them faces they just let you do what you want. They don't complain about their hair or their clothing and are always happy to see you and listen to your day, and put up with the venting on how the hair or skirt just isn't quite right and perhaps some beads may be nice, and are very agreeable even when there are pins sticking in their heads to keep their hair on. (Can you tell I have real kids? lol)

So after I finish my living room curtains - four panels and three sets of tiebacks to make - I will make a doll or two and post and take suggestions.

I love having you all for sewing friends! :) :) :)

Beautiful creations :thumbup: I also paint, do gardening and write.
This year though, I have really spent my time on my quilting.

I've got 2 paintings started and haven't looked at my book in months. I've got 3 quilt projects to do before Christmas, then in the spring I'll work on building up my flowers that were lost the the terrible freeze we had last winter.
I'll get out and finish the paintings in the spring air. I'll have to devote at least 3 hours to my writing. ( This is the Idea...)

:idea: I'm retired yet still have lots of work to do between a DH and GKs to watch once in a while. WOW! :shock:

Some members of our Guild made American Doll clothes one year for the boutique. They all sold within the first morning of the show. They are a high end doll and the little girls who own them seem to like to have a huge wardrobe for them. Might this work for you?

There are people who collect dolls and especially handmade ones. I think there is a market for your dolls, it would be in finding it. Jurried craft shows would be good place to show your wears to a lot of people in a short time. I commend you for making dolls and selling them. I have made 3 dolls and to me they are worth a millon $ each LOL. Good luck, take care,
Linda

wOW..U ARE TALENTED !

If I could pick it would be doll making.
I oil paint cloth dolls and love everything about it. Because I also love quilts I make doll quilts so get to have the best of both hobbies.
As for selling dolls that is another issue.
I have sold dolls in the past. Simple play dolls or simple dolls for decoration. They were popular then but not so much now.
There will always be a few doll lovers/collectors. I am 65 and still love dolls and doll quilts.
judy j
http://hardincountykeepsakes.blogspot.com/

I have too many hobbies. LOL. My newest one is quilting. I also enjoy scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, sewing, gardening, canning (is that a hobby or a necessity?), singing harmony...See what I mean?

Quilting, gardening and reading. Can't give up any of them!!! :lol: :thumbup:

your dolls and cloths are beautiful. I sold cloth dolls a long time ago at craft fairs and did fairly well. I sold mostly to adults who bought for their children but also alot bought for themselves as they were doll collectors. Unfortunately you cannot charge for your time, but I always tried to get my materials on sale and at least tripled the price and added some for time.
Good luck.Terry

Judith, they are wonderful! I've never been confident enough to paint anything, but your dolls have such charm and sweetness!

Your dolls are wonderful! I love the faces!

As to which hobby I would choose? I don't have any hobbies. I am an archivist for a fabric museum. I am a collector of beads and bobble ... so what if I never make the necklace or bracelet? And I plan on selling the handbags I'm planning on making, ... one day!

LOL

Thank you. It just takes practice and patience with your self.
There are several yahoo doll groups.They have challenges and lots of help from experienced doll makers.
Friends of cloth dolls is a great group as is Vintage cloth doll makers.
judy j
http://hardincountykeepsakes.blogspot.com/

very nice....

I LOVE Elizabeth.... that is my granddauthers name but we call her Lily. Lillian Elizabeth Genesis is her full name.

Look on Etsy and you'll get an idea what that craft is worth. Your pieces are really cute. You'll find a market