ERWIN, Tenn. – Susan Lilly enjoyed learning to sew in her seventh-grade home economics class, but little did she know the skill she was learning would contribute to her life’s passion and livelihood.

Lilly has been creating unique patterns and dolls for 15 years. Her creations are an enchanting mix of whimsical fantasy and country class.

Those qualities proved distinctive when scouts from McCall’s Patterns discovered Lilly’s dolls at a crafts show. They were so taken with one that its pattern was presented in a 1998 issue.

Her creations have also been displayed five times on the covers of Country Marketplace magazine, featured in CNA – Craft and Needlework Age magazine – and advertised in Country Sampler magazine.

Lilly’s pieces, which are available at her Web store, www.fruitfullhands.com, and at The Cave House in Abingdon, Va., are completely handcrafted to the tiniest details, including handmade fabrics and extravagant embellishments.

In the past year, Lilly expanded her creations to include one-of-a-kind collectible dolls that are only produced in limited editions and come with certificates of authenticity.

She is capable of customizing a doll to fit any occasion and can incorporate personal mementos or heirlooms into the doll’s ensemble.

"The most amazing thing is Susan’s attention to detail," Gary Lilly said of his wife’s creations. "Everything is incredibly intricate, and it makes her customers passionate about her designs."

Sewing has always played a role in Susan Lilly’s life.

"My mom sewed and it was always in the family," she said at her home in Erwin. "She was an inspiration to start."

At 13, she combined the inspiration from her mother with the skills she learned in home economics and began making her own clothes. Eventually, she tried her hand at dolls.

She found her sewing abilities blended with a natural creativity, possibly inherited from her great-grandparents, who immigrated from Italy and worked as tailors.

Inspiration for new doll ideas can come at any time for Lilly, who always has her eyes open for possibilities.

Her repertoire includes conventional favorites like "Raggedy Anne & Andy," but also contain dolls such as "Da Biker Hog." Da Hog’s ensemble includes a Harley-Davidson jacket, sunglasses and a leather wallet on a chain with a tiny driver’s license inside.

Lilly’s creations will soon make another national appearance when Soft Dolls & Animals magazine features her bagpiper sheep doll "Laddie" in its May issue and the socialite giraffe doll "Abigail" in July.

Fruitfull Hands Dolls-Susan Lilly copyright designs may not be copied, produced, or manufactured for commercial use. No Internet sales permitted.

NEW! Air Born Delivery
A beautiful 20" tall Stork delivering a newborn baby. Doll is made of muslin, painted and needle sculpted. Wings are stitched to give dimension. This doll would make a wonderful baby gift.
P SL 119 - $9.50

Chained Hearts
13"tall Friendship Dolls are made of muslin and have been painted and stained. The heart is also made of muslin that was tea stained and stiffened.
P SL 77 - $8.50

Amanda
24"tall panda - Amanda is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. Her head, hands and feet are sculpted.
P SL 41 - $8.50

Sarah
18"tall girl bear is made of muslin that is coated with stiffener and instant tea. The eye area has been slight sculpted.
P SL 37 - $8.50

Tom Cat
24" tall boy cat is made of muslin that was painted and stained. His face, hands and feet are sculpted.
P SL 96 - $8.50

Kitty
23" tall girl cat is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. Her face, hands and feet are sculpted.
P SL 97 - $8.50

Ivy
24"tall rabbit, Ivy is made of muslin that was painted and stained. Her face, hands and feet are sculpted.
P SL 47 - $8.50

Garden Angel
18"tall Angel is made of muslin in which the fabric was coated with fabric stiffener and stained. Her face is sculpted. The wings are made of Bulsa wood and the design on the wings was done with a wood burner and colored pencils. Bulsa wood can easily be cut with an Exacto knife
P SL 54 - $8.50

Spring Chicken
18"tall chick is made of muslin. You can finish her two different ways, the instructions include stain only finish or painted finish. Her head, wings and feet are sculpted
P SL 44 - $8.50

Red Striped Ticking cloth for the bloomers sold on Fabrics Page.

Little Ba Peep
17 ½" tall lamb - This little lamb’s body is partially made of Shaggy Plush Felt and black felt. The eye area is sculpted.
P SL 21 - $8.50

Lil Chick a Dee
19" baby chick - This chick is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. Her head, wings and feet are sculpted.
P SL 92 - $8.50

Topsy-Turvy
15 ½" tall chick/rabbit - This doll is made of cotton fabric. The eye areas are sculpted.
P SL 110 - $8.50

Harriet
26"tall rabbit - Harriet is made of Warm and Natural that was coated with stiffener and instant tea. Her head and hands are sculpted.
P SL 74 - $8.50

Warm and Natural sold on our Fabrics Page.

NEW! God Bless America
24" tall Folkart Angel .Body is muslin. Wings are patriotic fabric lined with quilt batting. Boots are painted and laced. Banner is stiffened muslin. Hair is curly crepe wool. Dress is adorned with heart within a star applique. Face is sculpted. Easy to intermediate.
P SL 30 - $8.50

NEW!  The Milk Maid
24" Cow Maiden
Body is muslin that is painted and stained. Face is needle sculpted. Top of apron is felt and is laced up the front.
Intermediate.
P SL 48 - $8.50

NEW! Lady Bug
Body, wings and leaf is muslin that is painted and stained. Face is needle sculpted. Leaf and wings are lined with quilt batting and stitched. Antennas are wire and she is holding a small twig Yo Yo flower with button.
P SL 76 - $9.50

NEW! Swallowtail
12" Sitting Butterfly,Body and wings are muslin that has been painted. Face is needle sculpted. Wings are lined with quilt batting and quilted. Antennas are wire. Is holding small twig adorned with Yo Yo flowers and buttons.
Intermediate.
P SL 59 - $8.50

Gone Fishin
18"long Fish - This fish is made of muslin that was painted and stained. His face and fins are sculpted.
P SL 60 - $8.50

Bugsy
24"tall grasshopper - He is made of muslin that was painted and stained. His face, elbows and heels have been sculpted.
P SL 49 - $8.50

Dragon Fly
11" long bug on stand - This bug is made of muslin that was painted and stained. The body is sculpted and the wings quilted.
P SL 75 - $8.50

Bee-atrice
2 ½" tall Bee on Hive - This bee and hive is made of muslin that was painted and stained. The body is sculpted and the wings quilted.
P SL 80 - $8.50

Sam
22" tall Eagle - Sam’s body is made of muslin and his feet are made of Sculpey Clay. He is painted and stained. The head and wings are sculpted.
P SL 64 - $8.50

Old St. Nick
Old St. Nick is a 22"tall Santa made of muslin that has been painted and stained. His face is sculpted and his beard is natural sheep's wool.
P SL 105 - $8.50

Wool for Santa's can be found on our Doll Hair Page

Willie
Willie is a 23"tall penguin. He is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. The eye area was sculpted. His skates are made from wood canoe cut outs. (found in craft stores)
P SL 73 - $8.50

Rudy
Reindeer Rudy is 22 1/2" tall. His face is sculpted face and he is made of muslin that has been painted and stained.
P SL 103 - $8.50

Christmas Geese
These geese are 20"tall and have sculpted head, wings and feet. They are made of muslin that has been painted and stained
P SL 106 - $8.50

Love is Born
13 ½"tall Joseph, Mary holding baby Jesus. These dolls are made of muslin that has been painted and stained. The faces and hands are sculpted. They have a free standing body that is weighted with sand.
P SL 91 - $8.50

Braided wool used for hair is sold on our Doll Hair Page

Giving Thanks
20’ tall Pilgrims are made of muslin. They have been painted and stained. Their faces and hands are sculpted.
P SL 66 - $8.50

Indian Maiden
20"tall Indian Girl is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. Her face and hands are sculpted.
P SL 67 - $8.50

Elmer
22"tall turkey is made of muslin that has been painted and stained. His face and wings are sculpted.
P SL 99 - $8.50

Fruitfull Hands Dolls-Susan Lilly copyright designs may not be copied, produced, or manufactured for commercial use. No Internet sales permitted.

Patterns by
Susan Lilly
of Fruitfull Hands