Ray Slater's Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists - Hardcover Book (2008) | DIY Sewing Projects, Handmade Doll Making Guide, Creative Crafting Inspiration for Beginners & Experts

Not sure why this book has so many negative reviews, it is exactly what it says in the title: Cloth dolls for textile artists. The author provides the reader with the patterns, intsructions for the techniques, and turns the creative process over to the reader to explore and create. This isn't a commercial pattern with rigid step by step instructions, nor is it an overthought how-to book. It's more of a guide which gives the basics for three doll types in clear wording, encouraging the reader to express his or herself using the techniques described.The book is written in a breezy style and has plenty of pics in addition to the pattern outlines. Readers are free to use what they like and change what they don't to suit their own style. The book is 127 pages and includes a short supplier list. It really doesn't need to be longer as the techniques are easy to describe.If you're looking for a book which reads more like a traditional commercial pattern to make a doll which is a replica of the cover shot, this might not be the best choice for you. This is not Edith Flack Ackley. If you need lots of instructions on each and every detail of doll construction, again, this may not fill your needs. But, if you enjoy learning new techniques and running with them, you will probably like this book.In my opinion, Ray Slater has put together an interesting, fun book which allows the reader to be inspired and encourages experimentation and expression. I'm enjoying the book a great deal and have already made two stump dolls. (For perspective, I'm a life long dollmaker having 40 years experience with cloth dolls using my own patterns as well as trying out patterns of other people.)