Tiny Knights

6/22/2022

I've finally started working on making outfits for all my little DreamHigh Studio House Elves. I've had some of them for years, but they were blank, and they couldn't go get painted due to Covid. But with the pandemic more or less in the rearview mirror, I've been able to bring away my dolls to get painted again. And that includes my House Elves.

Nolan and Gino were destined to become tiny knights. One was going to be riding a dragon, which is why I made the new one in the first place. Basically as a steed for a tiny knight.

So I started work on them last week. I wanted them to have a knight tunic over an undershirt with chainmail, so to reduce bulk, I made one be the 'facing' for the other. I made the under sleeves out of stretch jersey so the sleeves could be close-fitting, yet still fit over the doll's hands.

All I can say is that making knight outfits this tiny is even more work than making them in FID size. I had made tulle wig caps when the dolls were still blank, and had sculpted Nolan's helmet before he went away to get painted, but I had to sculpt Gino's helmet after he'd already been done. I carefully wrapped his head with plastic wrap, avoiding squishing his lashes, and added Apoxie to the wig cap to make the base for his helmet...

The nice thing about Apoxie, is that it doesn't have to be perfect at the start, since I can sand it after its cured, and then add the details. I also made Apoxie chest plates.

Then I made tiny wrist guards, sewing the tiny beads on with a small leather needle. I also made two cloaks, and was going to add bulky yarn for 'fur' collars.

A side view of the two helmets, one of which had been sprayed silver...

The outfits are coming along nicely. All the armour pieces have been sprayed silver, and 'aged' with brown paint. I also had to make new cloaks since the first ones turned out too short after Gino got some boots, which made him considerably taller.

Now I have to give the elves their hair, and then I can dress them. Then I need to make saddles.

Copyright © 2022 Martha Boers
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Dorothy

6/22/2022 10:42:34 pm

Wow, the outfits are tiny yet you have managed to use the same amount of detail that you use for outfits for your larger characters.

Are the new characters larger or smaller than the Forest Dwellers? The costumes look like they would be smaller.

Martha

6/23/2022 06:35:13 am

Yes, tiny doesn't mean less detail.

The House Elves are 14.5 cm tall, which is comparable to the Raccoons and Foxes, but the House Elves have bigger heads with thinner bodies.

Brigitte

6/23/2022 05:12:17 am

The parts are tiny and still absolutely gorgeous. There are so many details.

I can't wait to see your new knights in full armour.

Martha

6/23/2022 06:36:18 am

Thanks. I'm waiting until the characters have their hair before photographing them in their outfits. Plus I need to make saddles so they can ride.

Vanessa

6/23/2022 08:18:27 am

The tiny knight outfits are amazing! Maybe I should try apoxie, your work with it is inspiring

Martha

6/23/2022 11:02:21 am

Thanks.

I don't really like working with Apoxie - it's like trying to sculpt with chewed gum - so I just do a little at a time, letting it cure in between. Then sanding and adding more. All the 'flat' pieces have card stock for support, to help keep them perfectly flat.

Donna

6/23/2022 09:15:52 am

Amazingly tiny and detailed! The outfits are cute even without the little knights in them; I can imagine how cute they are going to be when the outfits are occupied! These little knights will add another whole element of fun into your fantasy stories.

I love the photo of the Elf wrapped in saran wrap and wearing his helmet in its early stages. He looks quite mischievous :o)

Martha

6/23/2022 11:07:33 am

Thanks.

It's been fun making these tiny outfits, even though I've had to redo some things now and then. It's often not easy to figure out how to keep the bulk down.

These two outfits are just the first ones in a whole line-up of tiny costumes needing to be made. There's five more House Elves, and the two Myou children.

I suspect I'll be more than ready for something bigger after that. Probably for Dominic, who arrived yesterday. I have no idea what he's going to wear, which is a good thing right now, then at least he won't highjack the progress I'm making on the tiny outfits. Yet.

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