September 2.0, A Spirit Doll

I decided to make a Spirit Doll for a dear friend. This is my first attempt at a Spirit Doll, and I was a little uncertain about starting it. But the emotion driving the process helped to push aside any doubts. Regardless of the quality of the final product, my friend will understand the meaning.

The doll will be just under 6 inches tall and 4.25 inches at the widest point--the outstretched arms. As far as the shape goes, I just kept sketching until I came up with a shape that I liked. I folded the paper in half and cut out the pattern so that it would be symmetrical. Then in a moment of planning ahead brilliance that seldom occurs, I traced the pattern on to cardboard so that I could save it to use again.

I am using fabric basted to paper, as you can see below. I had trouble seeing my basting stitches on the front side of the fabric so I drew an outline with wash away fabric marker about 3/8 inch outside the basting stitches. You can see that outline in the top photo.
For the past few days, I've been waiting for inspiration about how to handle the "face." I don't want it to look like a face, or a pseudo-face, or a cyclops, or a gargoyle. I'd just like a bead pattern. I guess the only way is to get started and keep the scissors and seam ripper nearby.

This is the first time I've done a project this large on paper. Pushing the needle through the paper certainly is easier on the arthritic knuckles than pushing it through Stiff Stuff or interfacing. But I was surprised that weight of the beads caused the part of the beaded fabric and paper not in my hands to flop so much. (Excuse: It's been a long time since I took physics.) I found I had to adjust how I was holding the thing.

I don't think it will be finished by Tuesday, but I'll keep working on it till it's ready to give.