I love sharing knowledge about Machine Embroidery and Dollmaking!  

There are several different ways you can learn from me online by watching video or joining a community.

Video Classes

These classes give you video instruction, along with the embroidery design files or sewing pattern so you can make the project I’m showing in the video.  These are more in-depth than most of my YouTube videos and you can get personal feedback from me in these classes. Some of my classes are available here at this website while others reside at Online Learning websites listed below.

Classes Here at Ballyhoo Creations

Learn to Make Jointed Art Dolls

This class teaches you to make art dolls with jointed limbs that move using either your sewing or embroidery machine. We will cover customized faces, and simple hairstyles along with the basics like turning and stuffing art dolls.

  • $20 for this self-paced online class which includes a simplified Gremlin pattern.
  • Or get this course FREE when you purchase the Fairy or Gremlin Art Doll Packages.
  • You can also join Skillshare for this class (see below)

Basic Machine Embroidery for Newbies

Learn how to use an embroidery machine using inexpensive craft store felt to make coasters

I’ll walk you through the basics of stabilizer, threading your machine, transferring design files, plus some simple applique and in-the-hoop techniques will be shown.

  • $20 for this self-paced online class that includes the coaster designs
  • Or join Skillshare for the same course (see below)

Skillshare Classes

Skillshare offers video classes on many topics, from sewing and drawing to computer animation or lifestyle improvements.  Several of my classes with projects can be found on SkillShare, just click the class photo below to learn more about each class.

A Skillshare membership is required to view these classes, but they offer free trials and monthly memberships. Try out Skillshare with my Ballyhoo teacher link, and I hope you love their learning platform as much as I do!!!

Beginner Machine Embroidery

Learn hand stitching-Simple Sock Gnome

three gnomes with curly beards sewn from the sock gnome online class.

Embroidery Machine Buyers Guide

creating simple wire armatures for posing

creating Characters: jointed art dolls

stitch custom microwavable pads

level up your sewing with fabric birds

two versions of fabric crows

Creative Fabrica Classes

Creative Fabrica offers its members Classes as well as a huge collection of embroidery designs, fonts, graphics, and more!  It’s like an All-You-Can-Craft buffet for creative people like us.  Hop over to Creative Fabrica and check it out.

sewn ragdoll example
Sewing a Ragdoll
Sewing Easy Monster Stuffies
DIY sock gnome pattern
Sewn or No-Sew Sock Gnomes
Make a Cloth Character in-the–hoop of your Embroidery Machine

Community

The free Facebook Group Ballyhoo Inspiration & Support is a place where you can ask for help, get inspiration on dollmaking, and learn about upcoming design releases.

YouTube Channels

Ballyhoo Creations for Machine Embroidery

The Ballyhoo Creations channel on YouTube is full of videos for machine embroidery and some of my in-the-hoop doll tutorials. Some recent videos can be seen below. Or keep scrolling to find my Dollmakers channel.

Ballyhoo Dolls for Doll, Puppet, and Plushie makers

In late 2023, I created a new channel for dollmakers to separate those videos from the machine embroidery videos. This new channel will showcase doll, puppet and plushie how-to videos for sewing machines, hand sewing, and embroidery machines.