My First Handmade Rag Doll.

At the request of a friend, I am writing a little bit more about Alice, Peggy Sue's rag doll.

This little rag doll was given to Peggy Sue back in January 2013.  I found her in a box of sewing notions (possibly belonging to my husband's Grandmother, I can't quite remember) in pieces unfinished.  I gave her little fingers by sewing her hands and put her together, sewed her facial features and gave her hair.  I made her a pair of pantaloons, and she is wearing a dress I made for Tressy back in the nineties.  She is nine inches tall.

I guess you could say this was the very first rag/cloth doll I made.

Two New Handmade Dolls.

I have been busy making dolls - instead of buying a doll, I am going to make one, at least that is the intention.  I do still have one on my 'wish list' that I hope to get before Christmas, but only if funds allow.

My latest two are 'Beth Ann' and 'Yet to be Named'

I used the wonderful 'Prarie Flower Doll' pattern that the very generous Beth has made available on her blog 'By Hook By Hand'

Thank you Beth for your wonderful patterns.

My last though is probably a different take on her original thoughts for the doll, but this doll just kind of 'happened'...I am obviously being influenced by Raggedy Ann stories at the moment.

This little girl is 6.5 inches tall.

She has removable purple boots

She clearly likes the colour purple!

Next I wanted to try the pattern at full size.

Here she is yesterday lounging on the couch.

Hair = much stabbing of fingers!

Ta Da!  Finished today.

Underwear made from handkerchief.

Reading...

Enjoying the garden.

A Trunk for Peggy Sue

While on holiday on the Isle of Wight, we found this wonderful trunk for Peggy Sue.

Peggy Sue is intrigued...

She opens it up.

Is this really for me she asks?

Look I can sit in it!

AND lie in it!  It is just the most perfect size for me.

We are hoping to probably line the trunk together...she has to choose the fabrics!

Look at my cup.  Do you think it is a good size?

I was given this by a kind lady in the shop at Godshill Model Village.  

(Photos of our holiday to the Isle of Wight will be on Henry's blog hopefully later this week.

My Cloth, Rag and knitted Dolls.

I started this blog post some time ago and things got in the way, so hoping to finish it today!

So introducing my cloth, rag and knitted dolls:

Looking through my 'stash' I found  this 'almost vintage' Rag Doll Cloth Kit' in my stash of fabric dating from 1981 'Reproduced to mark the Centenary of the Church of England Children's Society - 1981'

She is a reproduction of a Pauline Gilbert Rag Knock-About Doll 'Mignonne' produced by the Deans Rag Book Co., Ltd.

The printed fabric sheet makes one doll and contains instructions printed in five different languages, English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. 

Here she is finished - now need to find a home for her.

Violet and Sam have been with me since 2010 and were made by a friend of mine who can be found here...

They usually sit on either my bed or a chair in the bedroom.

May Flower, Alice and Patsy were all made by me.

May Flower I completed in May of this year...she had been a while in the making!

I think I made Alice in 2012 for Peggy Sue

I knitted Patsy in 2013.

I have three New Zealand made Gollies.

Gordon Golly on the left is by Brigitte Rive, Golly Malone and Celebration Golly are by Robin Rive.

Rosie, Ronald and Amy Lynn were made by the talented Sandra Wheeler of Mother Goose Dolls

This vintage girl of unknown make.  I just love her orange dress.  

This is my son's 'Waldolf' doll 'Brian' made in true Waldorf style with recycled fabrics (clothing) stuffed with natural wool. This doll was made about 24 years ago for my son by a friend of mine. We were very interested in the Steiner Philosophy and School of Thought and set up a playgroup in our area. My friend also helped to establish a new school as well... after I had left New Zealand. 

My son called him Brian and I guess at some stage when he was unhappy he drew an unhappy face and tears on him. (I think this was during the time when he was at his primary school where he was bullied - we ended up removing him from school and home educating him)

Raggedy Ann came all the way from the USA and is an early 1938 - 1940 Georgene.  She is a firm friend of Peggy Sue.

My two tiny little rag dolls made from an Ann Woods pattern.  These two girls were claimed by Hazel and Peggy Sue.

A third tiny rag doll has been made.

Here she is admiring the gourds and pumpkins at Audley End.

I want to make another couple of these dolls as well - hoping to do that later this week.

This 'Volland' style Raggedy Ann and her two little friends were sent as a gift to me by a friend who could no longer keep them. 

Raggedy Ann immediately made her feel welcome and they are discussing names...

All the Raggedy Ann dolls together.  One currently waiting on me to finish her and the two little ones on Raggedy Ann's lap were made by my friend Elaine who made Violet and Sam.  

Friendships & Knitting

New friendships are being made ...

Romeo declared his love for Raggedy Ann, and was thrilled to learn she had 'I love you' written on her heart...although of course she was too shy to show him, which of course she shouldn't.

Peggy Sue had lots to say while Raggedy Ann listened on with infinite patience.

Later on I think Peggy Sue had worn herself out and was seen reclining on her Chase Lounge

With the colder weather coming Peggy Sue was delighted with her newly knitted long cardigan.

She declared it just perfect and thought the colour suited her well.

Today Raggedy Ann and Peggy Sue continued their discussion, with Raggedy Ann taking the lead this time.  Peggy Sue listened on in fascination.

Not long later Peggy Sue was seen wandering in the garden...she looked like she was on a mission...

She stopped for a while and agreed to have her photo taken wearing her newly knitted 'hounds tooth' skirt.

Before long though...

She wanted to go back and listen to more of Raggedy Ann's tales.