BO OK 63
hristine Shaw is textile artist based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Having sketched and painted since childhood, she taught herself how to knit and make dolls, dolls clothes and accessories as a need to bring her drawings to life. Christine also makes embroidered wall paintings and soft furnishings.
he rag dolls Christine creates are individual, one of a kind, and cut to order. They are a result of sketchbook scribbles that have evolved over many years. Their bodies are made from linen and cotton in a number of shades to create variations in skin tones and are stuffed with carded New Zealand wool. Their hair varies from natural washed fleece, sourced in the UK; to alpaca from a nearby farm; to beautiful blends of mohair and silk yarns. The dolls faces are sewn free-style on a sewing machine then hand embroidered to add colour and texture.
hen creating the dolls facial features Christine aims for a quirky, near-missed beauty, which sets them apart from other handmade and traditional dolls. “I’m more interested in a wonky smile, a crooked nose, and eyes that are slightly askew than rendering a perfect symmetrical face.� It is this asymmetrical, out of kilter appearance that unites her dolls and gives them their unique identity.