Updated
13 Nov '09

Our club was started in April 2002 by Diane Brown, her daughter Alyssa, friends Christine and Nancy and about twelve other ladies who joined up within a few weeks. It had doubled in size by the end of the year and our membership has remained steady at about thirty. In March 2007 we celebrated our 5th birthday.

Our meetings are held on the third Sunday of each and every month (except December) at the Goodwood Community Hall. This is where our members get together to have fun and work on our dolls or learn new skills from other members. At least once a year a renowned cloth doll artist, sometimes from interstate, is invited to run a weekend workshop teaching one of her designs.

In November 2008 our club was thrilled to welcome our first international tutor, Jill Maas of Wanganui N.Z. to Hobart to run a weekend workshop making two of her quirky dolls. We had heaps of fun and some hilarious dolls were created, even one upside down head-sewn-to-the-wrong-end of body doll!!  A total mistake by one of our members but one which very quickly and magically, changed into the cutest little girl in Jill's clever hands.

Then it was not long to wait till March 2009 when we had the renowned author and doll artist, Patti Medaris Culea from the U.S.A. run three workshops for us over 6 days. We made two of her silk dyed on the body dolls both with enhanced with wonderful and exotic beading and embellishing. Patti  also taught a one-day drawing and painting faces class. We all learnt lots of new techniques in these fantastic classes and went away with our heads simply buzzing with new ideas for our dolls. Our next workshop in march 2010 is with Sydney designer Marily Halcomb -  we can't wait!

'In 2006 we ran our 1st club challenge and displayed the dolls at the Craft and Quilt Fair held annually during April at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. Our second club challenge was also displayed at this venue in 2007 as well as the dragons made at Judith's workshop.

A bi-monthly newsletter is sent to all members informing them of up-coming events, club activities  and decisions, as well as, useful tips and techniques on sewing and doll-making.

On the 4th weekend of August is the Hobart Doll Show at which some of our members  enter dolls in the Cloth Doll competition sections. Also our club runs a stall promoting new membership and selling small doll related items. Members have enjoyed success at this show as well as the Royal Hobart Show and several country agricultural shows. A few members sell their dolls through craft and tourist outlets while others enjoy teaching people to make them. Our club had a stand at the Quilt and Craft Fair at the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

So as you can see we have many activities on the go to keep us creating and sewing dolls for quite some time while enjoying the social atmosphere at the club and the opportunity to meet and make new friends.

 Come and join in the fun!