Freestanding Cloth Elf Doll Workshop
Brush up on your sewing skills in this three-day doll making workshop. Charlie Patricollo is a maker who is known for her fantastic dolls with life-like expressions.
Charlie will teach students to cut cloth patterns for both the doll and the clothing. The instructor will then demonstrate to the students how the patterns are sewn together. Students will then stuff these patterns to create their own dolls. The finished product will consist of a free-standing cloth elf.
About the Instructor
Charlie Patricolo
A dollmaker and dedicated teaching artist, she has spent decades designing and creating imaginative, one-of-a-kind dolls. Her journey began in her teenage years making dolls from patterns, but after studying at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, she began developing her own original designs.
In 2002, she was accepted into the Southern Highland Craft Guild, an achievement that helped expand her reach through galleries and encouraged her to push further into unique, handcrafted pieces. Her dolls are inspired by many sources—song lyrics, beautiful fabrics, personal experiences, and the stories unfolding around her.
Teaching is an important part of her creative life. She enjoys helping students discover what their hands and creativity can accomplish, and finds great satisfaction in seeing someone who doubted their abilities leave class with a finished doll of their own. Her recent work explores fantasy themes, offering a sense of joy and imaginative escape to those who encounter her creations.
Registration Information
Or Call the Art Center to Register at (706) 632-2144
Skill Level:
Beginner
- Some sewing skills required
Session Length & Date:
- 3 Sessions
- November 3, 4, and 5, 2026
Instructor Name:
- Charlie Patricolo
Class Fee:
- $180 for Non-Members
- $162 for BRMAA Members
- $15 Supply Fee
Supply List:
Here are the items that you need to bring to class (Supply List):
Your machine – make sure you bring the power cord and foot pedal. You will also need a couple of extra bobbins and a new small needle (sharp – not ball point). This is a great time to use your open toed or clear plastic foot if you have one.
Also – if you have not used your machine in a while, please reacquaint yourself with how to thread it, run a bobbin and change the stitch length.
Scissors – paper and fabric
Small straight pins (applique pins are great for this)
Regular straight pins
We will use the knit for hands and head that I will supply in several flesh tones. I will supply kona cotton fabric (flesh tones) for the body – if you wish to supply something else for the legs and/or torso (strong cotton fabric) here are the amounts you would need to bring.
Optional -your fabric for the body of the doll
Legs 8” x 8” piece of all cotton
Torso and arms 10” x 6” piece of all cotton
Clothing – I will bring a bag of knit fabrics (for the tunic and optional skirt) and a bag of felt for boots and vest and optional hat
Shorts 15” x 5” piece of cotton or other soft fabric
Poly thread to match your fabrics (or a neutral (grey or beige)
Your favorite stuffing tool (if you have one)
Wire cutter (if you have one)
A few Beads and/or small buttons to go with your fabrics for the ‘top’ and the back of the shoes
Instructor will provide:
Fabrics for head and hands and bodies
Wool felt for boots, vest and hat
Knit or tunic and optional skirt
Yarns for hair
Wire, stuffing, pompoms,
Hemostats to borrow or purchase
Pens and pencils for use in class (and new ones for optional purchase)
Sewing machine thread for face and hands
Thread for hand sewing
Some beads and small buttons
