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.

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.  

A Small Doll

Some of my Flickr friends have been making Ann Wood Dolls... at their encouragement I decided to download the pattern and make one as well.

Her arm is a little wonky!  I might undo it and and see if I can get it to match the other side.  I stitched a little heart on her chest and I might embroider a little flower on her bottom.  Her bloomers are made from a vintage handkerchief.

I fussed around with her hair a bit more until I was happier with it,  She has a little camisole also made with the same vintage handkerchief.

This is the back of her hair - I decided to leave a bit long.

Yes I think I am going to have to redo her arm!

She has a little smock dress

With an apron over the top.

She is enjoying the sunshine in the garden

I think I am going to call her Lucy... after Lucy Locket...as she fits in my pocket!

Edited to add:  Renamed Heather by Hazel Bleuette who claimed her.

Mignonne

I was given this cloth kit with some fabric a little while ago.  As it was so wet yesterday I thought I would make her up.  She is a reproduction of a Pauline Gilbert Rag Knock-About Doll Mignonne, produced by the Deans Rag Book Co. Ltd.  It was reproduced to mark the Centenary of the Church of England Children's Society - 1981.  The printed fabric has instructions on five different languages, English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

Now just got to decide where she is going to live.

Friday

I thought I would post a picture of my three handmade dolls.

May Flower, Alice and Patsy

Peggy Sue has been out in the garden today.

Peggy Sue is delighted about how well her flower wheelbarrow is growing!

How does YOUR garden grow? 

Flowers on Friday and a friend comes round to play.

Ruby explores the garden.  She is delighted to see the 'transplanted' forget-me-nots are thriving.

She is wearing a newly designed by myself sweater.

The rhododendrons are lovely and she is amazed at their beauty

May Flower also wanted her photo taken with the rhododendrons.

As did sweet Peggy Sue!

Peggy Sue had her friend Princess Addison round to play this afternoon.

She showed her the flowers

Princess Addison enjoyed the swing!

Look more forget-me-nots Peggy Sue! Princess Addison said.

The two girls enjoyed their time playing together.