Julie McCullough / Magic Threads continued

I packed away my loom and started making dragons and quickly became a “Dragon Lady”. For a number of years I did nothing but soft sculpture dragons. I eventually wanted to add fairies and elves and wizards to the flock. I’d never made dolls and had no idea where to begin. I looked through pattern books and discovered only Raggedy Anns and Cabbage Patch styles. Not exactly what I had in mind! I did my first fairy in 1986 and rapidly added more dolls. About that time I met elinor peace bailey who encouraged me to make patterns. Who, Me!!?? Not with my limited sewing skills! Back then I thought you HAD to do what elinor told you, so I wrote directions for my fairy and dragon. I had a real seamstress read it and make suggestions (like major suggestions and revisions!!) I printed these two, advertised them in The Cloth Doll and figured that was the end of THAT. But people wanted more! So my life as a pattern designer started. It really hasn’t been the same since.

About that time I moved my little business out of my house and into a real STUDIO with 20 other artists. Our old warehouse was in an area of town with brick streets and the old train station. That was 11 years ago and of course the rest of the world soon discovered “The Haymarket” and now we are the center of the antique stores, boutiques and brew pubs. Our studios have become stores!

I began teaching at Doll U in 1991 and selling my growing line of patterns to stores around the country. I’ve taught all over the country and in Australia twice. It is a very different life from what I envisioned working out of my spare bedroom long ago.

My husband of 30 years manages our Community Theatre and our only child Dylan is an actor in New York. Theatre provides a BIG inspiration for me. I still do one of a kind dolls for galleries and special orders. I love the things I get to make that won’t be turned into patterns!

Travel has become very time and creativity consuming so I’m looking at the on-line teaching as a way to stay home and still teach!! Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed! I can only imagine what new challenges are around the corner. I never would have dreamed that cloth doll making would be so popular! It’s nice to know that there are so many little girls (and boys) who never grew up out there!

Thank you all for making it a fascinating journey.

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REMEMBER TO BRING
BASIC SEWING SUPPLIES
IF YOU SIGN-UP FOR
WORKSHOPS OR
HANDS-ON CLASSES
You will need to bring the following supplies if you are taking any hands-on
classes: sharp sewing
shears, rotary cutter,
cutting mat, straight pins,
marking tool, ruler, tape
measure, #2 pencils and
notepad.
Sewing machines are
provided in the classroom.
Students should check
class descriptions for
additional items needed.

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