I’m asking a question today and I’ll start… there is no right or wrong answer and certainly NO judgements from anyone of MY readers… so speak from your heart and let’s see what we end up with…
In no particular order, this is why I love dolls….
* I love to sew and sewing for dolls gives me great pleasure. It’s what I love to do… I used to make little girls dresses and sell them and that was fun, but I never got to see the little girls in them, so my heart never got that extra throb… but dolls dressed in something I created is fun to see on my dolls AND on the dolls of the ladies who buy them…
* I LOVE fabric and what better way to showcase it than by making a pretty doll outfit… the love of fabric might be an obsession of mine, but I’m trying harder not to buy much… I already have plenty…It’s fun to go into a fabric store and see a fabric and think of a particular doll that you have and know in your head how pretty she would look in it… (that’s when I get into trouble!) :o)
* I have always LOVED crafts and dolls give me a chance to make extra things to go with their outfits… like shoes, and slips, and purses, and hats and necklaces and lots more…
* It’s fun to see them standing on my dolly shelf and trying to decide who will get to wear the next outfit… sometimes it’s truly hard to decide who will be next…
* There are SO many pretty dolls being made now…and it’s hard to resist all of them, so I have to be very much in love with the ones I do buy. When they get here and they have that WOW factor, it’s all I could ever hope for.
* My dolls work for their stay here. If they don’t make me much money from the sales of their outfits, I’m sorry, but they usually end up on the chopping block.
* Staying at home and sewing and selling my doll outfits lets me be more free to do the family things I love so much… and I never feel guilty if I can’t make it into my sewing room for a day or two. Sewing to me is the best job I could possibly have at this time in my life. I can sew in my pj’s or at midnight, whichever I want, or both! :o)
* Dolls connect me to other doll lovers and I’ve made some of the best friends from this blog about sewing for dolls. Thank you everyone!
Okay…who’s next?
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yesss, me too. (from France)
Why I love dolls….
Well, I have Always loved dolls, from early childhood on. There’s a picture of me sitting in my highchair, and in my hand…is a doll! My dolls were my “children” when I was a little girl, and I wanted to grow up and be a mommy. Well, I did, of just one, but I sewed for him, and HE had some dolls, too! Baby Brother Tender Love when he was little (I made a wardrobe for “George-baby”) because Daniel didn’t know how babies should be taken care of, so that’s how I taught him. (He was 3 years old when we got him; had been abused and neglected to the point he almost died a year or so earlier…) He also wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid (and ended up with 3 or 4, I think–but *I* have More!!).
But….with one son, and then four nephews, and no little girls in the family, I started buying dolls for myself! One thing led to another, and I ended up a “doll collector”!
So….I love dolls because then I can have all the little girls I never had as a mom, and make clothes for them, etc. (and Usually they don’t complain, although Molly wasn’t very fond of the first dress I made her–it was lavender, and Her favorite color is RED! LOL). I do have a few boy dolls, but mostly girls. And I finally did get a granddaughter (plus four grandsons), and she loves dolls, too! She’s not so little any more (almost 14) so I’m not sewing for her as I once did (and, oh, did I have fun!). So…back to my “little girls” that will stay little!
And I love making cloth dolls, too, although I haven’t done much in that line in recent years. But I do have a number of them that I’ve made, just for fun. (I’ve also made some for gifts.)
Oh gee, Jeanne, you’re making us think today!! It’s way too early in the morning for me!!
🙂
Dolls,…well, I have had a relationship with dolls, ever since I had my Susie doll, which was some sort of baby doll way back as a toddler. That doll went everywhere with me, and especially when I went to sleep. One day Susie was gone! My mother said she was falling apart and that was that. I was heartbroken, but many other dolls came after her, and I love being a “mother” to them. That’s what I wanted to be,… a mother! Not a secretary, not a teacher (which I was), not a nurse, artist, or even a ballerina, Just a mother! I could do all those things being a mother, and I learned how to braid hair too (!), with my dolls.
There is just something about being responsible for other creatures, taking care of them, clothing them, etc. and I could get that with dolls way before I had my children. There was just that magical “something” I had with my dolls that is hard to explain.
As far as abeing an adult collector, I really don’t consider myself a collector at all. I have these sweet little characters that I dress, and put them in situations that I did as a little girl. It’s not how many or how much. I have learned a lot about history through my American Girl dolls. I must say that each doll has her own personality, she is not just a plastic toy on a shelf, and so I am more emotionally attached to each of my dolls. I guess, too, that I am re-living my own childhood, although not exactly with the more historical dolls, but knowing that little girls everywhere share the same thoughts and feelings through the ages, no matter what times they are living in, and what they wear. I guess I humanize my dolls! I could go on and on, but this is YOUR blog, Jeanne, not mine!
I do want to thank all of you for your lovely words about Kirsten and Betsy from yesterday, and the advice you gave me for fixing Kirsten’s ribbons and braids. Practice makes perfect, so I will do my best to get it done the right way!
I really like sewing dolls, I also sewed children, but they have already grown, now I will only sew something for my daughter. The doll is a grateful customer: it does not whine and you can measure clothes upside down. 🙂 I have to admit that I didn’t know the AG dolls in Poland and thanks to this blog I got to know a lot and bought some more. Jeanne’s blog is awesome. I joined the sisters on the couch. Greetings.
I love to sew, and I love dolls. What a great combination. I also love fabric like you, Jeanne. As a matter of fact, I think I’m a fabric hoarder. I am trying not to buy fabric and use some of what I have. My sewing/doll room is my quiet place. My mind wanders and I love to pull out different fabric and create something new for one of my dolls. I do sell my doll clothes, but I don’t make a lot of them. If something sells, it just goes back into my hobby to buy a new wig or pair of shoes or even a new doll when I save up. It’s just a wonderful hobby to have…sewing and dolls.
Why I love dolls! I was a only kid and didn’t live in town. So dolls were my playmates. My Dad built me a doll house that we still have here at the farm. It will be 80 years old this year as it was built for me when I was 6. I have also always loved designing and sewing. I went to Traphagen School of Design in NYC. After getting married and having 3 daughters and 1 son. I did a lot of sewing for them. Prom dresses. etc We are on a farm so the girls rather be riding a horse or other outside activities than playing with dolls. They had Chatty Cathy, Skipper and Madame Alexander I tried! I would not buy Barbie, My excuse was I did not want a doll around that had boobs bigger than me. As granddaughters got of age to have American Girl dolls. I loved the size of them to sew dresses for. So of coarse I had to get a doll for a model. Kirsten was the first one I bought. I now have 8 but Kirsten is one of my favorites. I sewed so many outfits for the girl’s dolls, they had more clothes than the girls did. I just kept sewing. My husband would come up to the sewing room at night and say what are you going to do with all these clothes. I joined a Craftworkers group and sold outfits at their 4 Fairs they had a year. I was on hiatus for about 10 years, I thought I had better pass on my stash but packing it up I couldn’t do that so I am back sewing again. Getting pretty old for this but Oh well!
Sylvia, I just had to laugh at your not buying Barbie because you didn’t want “a doll around that had boobs bigger than me”!!
Years ago, my girlfriend Liz and I were discussing Barbie dolls, and she said that someone with a figure like that was “blessed”, while the rest of us were merely “recognized”!!
I do have a few Barbies–my first one was Christmas 1960, I was almost 15, and we had just moved to Seattle from Upper Michigan. There were only two things I wanted that year, to move back to Michigan (which of course didn’t happen) and a Barbie doll. Mom figured since Barbie was a teenager, it would be okay for me to have one! It took some doing (back then they were Very hard to find!) but I got my Barbie, and did enjoy sewing for her. I still have her, and the patterns and the clothes I made!
I loved history first, and for as long as I can remember, I have loved knowing what people around the world and through the years have worn. Think how thrilling it was to first see paintings of Egyptians or pictures of medieval ladies. When I first saw Samantha, I thought she was the doll I needed when I was 8 or 10. I finally got a blond version (#21) and now I have several AGs (including Samantha) and way too many clothes, but what a nice time I’ve had collecting them.
Hi Marilyn, Where are you from in Colorado? I live in the Springs. There are 3 of us from Colorado now on this forum. I wished Colorado had more doll shops and places to make dolls don’t you? We are not like Florida and the South East were loads of retired woman live and there are loads of studios for making porcelain dolls and places to teach dressing and sewing. We only have one Fabric store out here now. It is JoAnn’s. It use to be called Clothworld long time ago. We also had Hancock Fabrics. I loved that place and they closed up 2 years ago and it broke my heart. I miss my fabric shops. I miss all the sales and the stores only focusing on sewing and crafting not home improvement and clothes and other things. JoAnn’s has changed a lot over the years as well. It is so hard to find anything near by anymore due to the internet and online shopping. I miss seeing things in person. Monitors on our computers don’t always have the true colors of things. I like to feel, see, and handle things before I buy and see how they are made. We have gotten away from the Customer Service face to face kind of life style. We need to get back to the small town way of life where we all help out our Small Businesses in our towns. I love the concept of garden to table for eating in restaurants as well, don’t you? It helps everyone from the farmers on down to the patrons who come to eat at the small restaurants. Hope to get to know you as well as everyone on this forum better over time. Elaine
I just saw this Elaine, and I say “Amen” to it all.
Well now, Why I love dolls… I don’t think there was a time I didn’t. I remember sitting on the front lawn with scissors, scraps of fabric and a cigar box with a tiny little doll. I cut circles and put a hole in the middle, put this over the dolls head then made a belt and tied it around her waist. My first doll dresses. I think the fascination I had with making clothes was watching my mom make a little dress in about the size of a Barbie and it was from fabric my mom had made a dress for, for me. As I grew older my love for dolls never abated. I loved them all. My favorite that never made if from the move from California to Virginia was a Dollikin. I bought myself one about 10 years ago. I now own over 100 dolls. Many are American Girl dolls. I like to dress them and test for others. I have designed patterns to sell but that isn’t a big hit. I am a fabriholic and trim hoarder. I also hoard patterns for dolls. Through the times of sadness in my life I turn to my sewing and my dolls for solace. I can forget my worries when I am in my “cave” sewing and dreaming. The dolls do not judge me or complain they don’t like it. I used to sew for other people and stopped. Too much complaining from ones who didn’t know what they were talking about. You put your time and sweat into doing the best you can and get nothing but gripes. So my daughters when they were little, my only grand daughter and my dolls were my recipients. My mother would have me make things for her house. I miss her not being there to talk sewing with. Now I AM the grandmother and mother my girls ask for advice from on sewing. Our of 4 two of them sew. Till the Lord calls me home I will play in my own little world where they appreciate me.
Dear April, I can appreciate you saying that you are a fabricholic and a pattern and trim hoarder. I too am like that and I have stuff stuffed everywhere in my little house. I get so tired sometimes and when I just think about cleaning up it makes me even more tired. I also like to retreat to my own little world of dolls and what makes me very happy. I love all the new and fascinating patterns that these wonderful designers have come up with, don’t you? I even dream about them at night like a little girl. What fabric am I going to make this dress out of? What kind of fabric can I make or use for this pattern? It occupies my time quite a lot. Currently I am fascinated with the Pemberley Threads sewing patterns for the 1830’s dress and the Colonial dresses for Felicity and the Victorian and Dirndls for Kirsten. I love the historically accurate fashions and the fact that anyone of us can get the PDF’s for these and sew them ourselves as well. I too get tired of others not appreciating what I make for them. Remember you are you and you are made that way, a generous, loving person and God knows your heart and you should not let anyone make you feel bad about making something from Love. I told another woman on this forum: No Act of Love, However small, is ever wasted! Just remember that. You are loved and you are a wonder to others, no matter what their problems are. We all love you and understand you as well. That is why we are all here together, right? God Bless You April and remember keep your chin up and don’t let anyone destroy your love of making beautiful things, ever.
What wonderful stories so far. I’ve never really thought about it.
Being another only child, I had lots of dolls of which I played with regularly when under the age of eight or nine. I do believe that all of them are still with me. After that, there was a dearth in doll playing until our two daughters were born. They had lots of dolls from Cabbage Patch Kids to Barbie. I sewed some for their dolls as did my mother and grandmother. I somehow got back into dolls after retiring from teaching and discovering on the internet that there were other doll people out there. I started picking up AG dolls that we could not afford for our girls at the time when they first came out and then branched out to others I liked. The dolls connected with my sewing hobby, and then I discovered that making props and scenes with the dolls and then photographing them fit in with my photography hobby. So, meeting people from all over, enjoying dolls, sewing, and posting photos has been the end event. Now, if I can just get my dolls and sewing organized, all would be copasetic.
My list include everything you say about the use of fabric, crafting the accessories and the pleasure of seeing what I make. I would add one thing: dolls don’t complain. If I accidently poke them with a pin, I feel it more than they do. If the outfit isn’t quite right, they never complain about the problem and I get tired of the fittings before they do.
I’m grateful you still enjoy sewing for dolls as much as you do. I enjoy sharing your thought process as you work on each outfit. And I enjoy the pictures very much.
Thanks for asking and sharing your thoughts.
I really never got into dolls much when I was little. We just never had the money to spend on them and I’ve never been one for “flogging dead horses” as they say. So I turned to paper dolls which we could afford, were quicker to dress and undress and I could design clothes for them to my hearts content and they didn’t take up much room. I had a beautiful ballerina doll, a Tiny Tears and a Ginny doll and that was about it. I actually had no clue of all the dolls that were out there when I was growing up. Ginny was the doll most of my friends had so I asked for one for Christmas one year, but getting clothes for her was difficult. That money issue again. I didn’t even know Betsy McCall had been made into a doll. I only knew of her as a paper doll because my grandmother got McCall’s magazine and saved the Betsy McCall paper doll for me.
I always loved to sew and made a lot of my clothes growing up and then sewed for my daughter and son, my two stepdaughters and stepson. That’s five children. Each year I made Easter outfits for the whole tribe and myself. Usually it was just a shirt for the boys. They wore suits to church back then and I wasn’t much into that kind of sewing, but I wanted them to have something I made so they wouldn’t feel left out.
As the kids grew up it was just blue jeans and t-shirts so, while I still kept sewing dresses for my daughter, my days of sewing kids clothes were pretty much over. I tried sewing for my three granddaughters but my efforts never seemed to be appreciated by their mothers and the daughters adopted the same attitude, mostly because they had to listen to the criticism every time they wore something I made, so I figured why bother. I had a friend who sewed for her granddaughters and the mothers were over to moon. I figured anyone would be. I couldn’t believe anyone would reject the efforts of someone who was making things out of love, but somehow my efforts were taken to mean the mothers were lacking in something, even my one stepdaughter who sews and made her own wedding gown seemed to feel this way. There seems to be some genetic tendency in this family to being territorial. That’s my space even if I’m not using it, seems to be the mindset. In some ways it always reminds me of kids with toys. A child may not be playing with a toy, but if another child tries to play with it that toy becomes the most valued possession of the first child and it’s hands off.
It seems my lament is shared by others who have commented today. When you really love creating and want to share it and there are no recipients or you have to listen to mounds of grief (which is why I would never sew for anyone else if they paid me), you either abandon the idea altogether or locate a new outlet for that creative energy. Enter my interest in doll collecting. Someone I could sew for who would love whatever I make them and never complain. Although my young ladies do have their personalities and preferences, when we agree on a pattern and fabric, they are always content with the outcome.
My first acquisition was my 18″ Madam Alexander, Gracie. I bought her rather than an AG doll because she was cheaper but I could still use her as a model for clothes for the AG dolls. I made tons of cute clothes (often with hats and/or purses) to sell at our church fundraiser. That’s when I had to listen to mothers complain that for $12 to $20 dollars they could outfit their daughter. They weren’t about to spend that much on a “doll” outfit, especially if it didn’t come with shoes. Anything more than $5 or $6 was a no-go with them. Okay, where do I go from here? Hubby David suggested I just sew for the love of it with no expectations other than the sheer enjoyment of doing it rather than give it up. So that’s what I’ve been doing now for the past several years.
My next acquisitions were my 12″ and 16″ rescue dolls. I found patterns to fit them (one fits the LD patterns and one the AGAT patterns with a slight alteration in the bodice) and I found I liked sewing for the smaller dolls better. So then came the start of my H4H collection, my first LD followed by two more, my Wellie Camille, Betsy McCall and many more. I also found a Ginny like the one I had in the 1950s and a Tiny Betsy McCall, but when I tried to sew for them I found I was better at sewing for the bigger dolls so I started looking for clothes for those dolls and ran across Jo’s Doll Shoppe. I fell in love with the clothes she made for the small dolls and her doll company Heartstring dolls. I have three of them and that collection would have expanded if Jo would have been able to continue, but I’m sure glad I have the ones I do.
While I still intend to make children’s clothes out of the mountains of fabric I purchased to make clothes for my grandkids and eventually put them in my Etsy shop, I know I will continue sewing for my many dolls. There are tons of patterns out there of all styles that I’m anxious to make and know many of those styles would probably never sell in the “people” market. That’s what I love about sewing for dolls. Nothing is off limits and they all look so cute in whatever I make them. And they never ever complain.
Dear Barbara, I was almost crying when I read about your experiences sewing for your own family that did not appreciate who you did for them. Believe me, you are not the only one that got treated that way. I too believe it is a lack of something deep inside that these people and their children do not have. Just remember, No Act of Love, However Small is ever wasted. I did a cross stitch sampler of this and I never have forgotten it. I have to keep reminding myself on this. God knows who you are and how much you love these people even if they don’t appreciate it. I know deep down inside it hurts, I have gone through this as well. Isn’t it so wonderful that we creative women can get together like this and share everything with each other? I have 3 pen pals now due to dolls. On in TX from Pinterest that admired my boards, one from Ukraine and one from UK. All in love with Dolls. I am so blessed. I am so blessed to know you better too. Just know that you have a gift of love and you can never go wrong with this from your heart. It’s their loss not yours. You did the right thing. I wished I had a mother or grandmother who would of done things like that for me. The only person that made anything for my sister and I when we were little girls, was our Great Grandmother from Maine. She knitted mittens, crocheted those Palmolive dish soap dolls around the bottle. I wish I still had that. It was so pretty. She sent me a knitted Raggedy Ann hat that I loved as a little girl. I still have the bean bag that she made for my sister and I from red corduroy and embroidered a butterfly on it. I don’t know what happened to the others we had. I think there were at least 3 of them, can’t remember. I keep it with me. I even had a knitted squirrel holder for a hot pot that she made. She loved Squirrels like I do. She made the best warm Sugar Cookies and I loved to visit her because everything in her house was hand crafted by her. A grannie square black and bright colors afghan on her couch, hand crotched edges for the chairs and the couch. I love a home like this. I love you too for all you do for others. You are love and appreciated. Just remember that okay? Be your best no matter what. I am a giver too. Even if no one cares or likes it or does not give back. It is a wonderful trait and gift you have from the Lord. I am proud to know you. Love, Elaine Hoffman
Thanks so much Elaine. It is late this evening when I’m writing this and hope you get to see it. You made my day.
I’ve always loved dolls since I was a little girl. My first was a big baby doll and I must say I didn’t like the fact she had painted hair. Then, my Ideal Julie doll, who I ruined during my young age by adding more lipstick, kind of not entirely on her lips! She had a wig, which back in the day, wigs were not the greatest in my opinion and I didn’t like her hair.
Later, my best friend and I loved our Barbies dearly. In our twenties, she and started collecting Madame Alexander 8” dolls. How we loved our dolls. I also collected several other dolls, but my real love of dolls came with AMG dolls. I liked the age they represented and the way they were made and most of all, I loved their hair and their fabulous accessories. However, I didn’t get one for myself until 2004.
By then, my friend and a few others who collected dolls, went to other collections 🙁 – but I remained with the dolls. So, with no other doll collectors or doll lovers around, I was thrilled to find Jeanne’s blog and her magnificent clothes and all the doll like- minded sofa sisters!!
I love everything about dolls. My Mom and Aunt and Grandma always gave me dolls for Birthdays and Christmas. My favorite was a big Mama doll named Angela. I can still remember my Mom holding Angela and telling me I was too old for her and she was putting her in the Goodwill pile. Broke my heart..I still feel bad thinking about it. But… as a 40+ year old I was always looking for another “Angela”…and that was when dolls were sooooo pricey. I found one that was reasonable and then began to “fix” her, she was a mess. It was delightful….I could use my fabric stash, my hubby would help with the tools or anything hard to do and I could paint. All my favorite things. I learned by books, u tube, classes and have kept busy ever since repairing dolls. It really is fun to see the expression on a customers face when their old dirty, broken doll is all fixed.
I have always loved dolls because they bring the best joy for me in the whole world. I feel so very happy when I just look at a beautiful doll even if I don’t own it. I have always loved dolls my whole life. I believe inside that if you remain a precious child inside you can live young forever, no matter what you have to endure. I had to quit working in the world at age 48 due to being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and doing things with dolls and fabric and making their clothes has always been fun for me. I was told early on in my dx from my Neurologist not to let others make things for me too much because it is therapeutic for my brain to keep active and make things myself. If I get frustrated and don’t do it right, my husband just tells me to walk away and come back to it and not to get too upset. Give my brain a rest. Best advice. I started making my own porcelain dolls, but when my hand goes off on it’s own, I get discouraged with not having a steady hand to make them to the accuracy that I wish. Eyebrows and eyes and lashes are probably the hardest things to do. With this pandemic, I have been very isolated in my home with my soon to be 17 year old Westie Lilly Pup. If I did not have all the doll pictures and friends on the Internet to read about or look at their fashions for dolls I think I might go mad. So I am very grateful to all of you for posting your photos or stories for me to read about on dolls. It is very fun to me to be in a doll forum. There are not many places where I live that someone like me can get with others on dolls and for The Love of Dolls. I live in Colorado Springs, CO and it is a very transient city due to Military coming and going every few years. Not many places stay open here over the course of many years. I do not have a daughter, I have two nieces that loved dolls to play with me, but they are grown now. I miss sewing for their dolls and playing with them. So I want to thank each and every one of you and say Thank You for all you do on this forum for me. God Bless Each and Every one of you. You are loved!
Dear Elaine,
I’m so sorry about your health issues. If you want two additional places to read and talk about dolls, please consider joining the two doll boards I am on. They are AGDollhouse and AGPlaythings. The main board is dedicated to Pleasant Company/American Girl dolls, but there are sub-boards to talk about other brands of dolls and an off topic board to talk about anything you would like. Please let me know if you decide to join as I can then PM the moderator and it usually speeds up your membership if you “know” a member on there already. AGDollhouse has a few members that regularly set up doll scenes and one lady does incredible crafting for the mini AG dolls and makes other tiny dolls as well.
Dear Laura, Thank you for your invite. I was on this website loads of time, I just went back on it and tried to join with my email and it remembered me but it is saying pending approval. Maybe you could put in a good word for me. Is the AGDollhouse part of this website? I saw a Dollhouse portion and was not sure? I remember a long time ago when this site first started, copying all the free AG patterns on my printer. I never had the ones for Felicity or Addy. I do have the Kirsten, Molly and Samantha original ones in their pretty envelopes with the burgundy ribbon. Remember how special those were? Everything back then was so special. I miss the catalogs as well. Now I see greedy people trying to sell the free catalogs for $65 each. Crazy. I have the original three dolls from Pleasant Company sign that use to hang on the ceiling from an old toy store that was closing in Manitou Springs, CO back in the early 90’s. I asked the owner for it and he was going to throw it out. Glad I asked for it. It has Kirsten, Samantha and Molly in their lifesize meet outfits with a curvy banner over them. Thank you Laura for helping me. You are so sweet and I hope to know more about you one day soon. I was brought up in the 60s. I am 61 years young now.
Dear Laura, I don’t know your last name and I was trying to use it to register for the AGDollhouse proboards. My username is Lainie7777 and email is pth3@juno.com. If you need anymore information please ask and write to my email. Thank you so much Laura. You are so sweet. Love, Elaine
I love dolls because:
-I loved playing with my mom’s Nancy Ann’s in my grandmother’s attic.
-My mom must have loved dolls because she indulged me with every doll made in the 50’s and 60’s from little Ginny’s to life size Patti Playpal. The only ones that survived my younger sisters were Ken and Tammy.
-When I became a history teacher in my 30’s I discovered that the English teacher had the same childhood dolls and still collected. Hunting the dolls of our childhood became a frequent pastime and we became best friends.
-The year my daughter was 7 my best friend handed me a Pleasant Company catalog in the parking lot one morning. By lunch time I was in love with the dolls, their stories, and authentic outfits. That evening I filled out the order form for my daughter’s Kirsten doll. I still have the receipt (and the doll). January 7, 1991.
-Besides the fact that dolls tell the story of the culture and time period when they were made I also love their fashions and never tire of looking at a pretty doll in a beautiful, historical, or whimsical ensemble.
Thank you Jeanne for sharing your love of dolls and your inspiring outfits!
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Linda, I had a Susie too! She is the first doll I remember and there is a picture of me holding her and sitting on my mother’s lap. The 3 of us are wearing matching skirts Mom made. She was rubber and eventually fell apart. The rubber degraded and one day she fell on the floor but her arm was still in my hand! You were spared that trauma. Some fixing attempts were made but then she fell off her other arm! I think she may have “disappeared”. Doll heaven or something.
I love making doll dresses! I made lots of cute things for my son. All too soon he would only wear jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. I may have said a prayer asking for a granddaughter one day.
Julia, for the life of me, I cannot remember what Susie looked like! I was really small when I had her, but I do know she was a baby doll. Maybe she was like yours! That would be terrible for a doll to fall apart when you were holding her! Well, we have survived, and our Susie’s will always be a part of our childhood!
Add me to the list of only children. I had a couple of MA dolls at home and my grandmother would sew for my special doll when I would visit. Tiny doll accessories didn’t exist or at least I didn’t know of them. I would make my own things out of paper or things I found (acorns, rocks etc>) I had a vibrant imagination as a child and probably still fo. I’ve always enjoyed history in the sense of stories of times past. Reading Little House and Anne of Green Gables as a young child made me enjoy those eras. When I first saw the PC catalog I was fascinated with the wonderful period accurate clothing and accessories. I wouldn’t get Samantha until 2007 though. Now I find my dolls, like my pets, a way to relax and have fun. I love the creative outlet the dolls give when I do have time to dress them and make something small for them. I also enjoy making up my own characters. My two dolls as a child played multiple roles. I love miniatures and feminine clothes. My dolls never complain what I chose for them just like my pets always enjoy the toys chosen for them and they never outgrow them.
Dear Jeanne, what a great question and what a difficult one. Hmmm. I have always had dolls in my life. I cannot imagine my life without dolls.
I echo Charlotte. My dolls are my daughters. I have only two male dolls.
Although I don’t sew (or craft or cook – laugh), I do like to purchase pretty dresses for my dolls to wear.
I started out with only my childhood dolls and then a dastardly thing happened: I joined a doll club (chuckle). The next thing I knew, I had become the dreaded “C” word, a (gasp) collector!
I have about 110 dolls, which is a small collection compared my dolly friends who have thousands.
Here is a question for you and the Sofa Sisters: Is anyone planning to attend the Madame Alexander Doll Club convention in Michigan in June or the United Federation of Doll Clubs convention in Baltimore in July?
I would love to connect with a Sofa Sister if she is.
There are UFDC doll clubs all over the country. Some are meeting via Zoom now. If anyone needs help finding one where she lives, just let me know.
Oh, I really would like to (esp. the one in Mich.; I am all about Michigan!), but Ron is in pretty frail health, so I really don’t wish to leave him alone, especially traveling 2000 miles from home to do it.
Maybe next year… I really hope to meet you in person some day!!
Dear Charlotte, yes, we do need to meet. Charlotte Noelle would love that!
I don’t know where the convention will be next year. It rotates around the country.
I am also looking forward to attending UFDC in Baltimore.
Hi, Dorothy in PA,
You are so thoughtful to offer to help several of us to connect with our local UFDC chapters. I googled it and found mine. I’m holding off for a bit but will keep looking for their latest newsletter. Thank you for your kind offer.
Looks like the two of us have in common not sewing! Just buying pretty clothes and relishing each one. Even though I don’t sew, I enjoy watching Jeanne show her construction processes and how she asks for and is open to input from her blog team.
So happy to be learning more about everyone. This blog is really lighting up my life!
❤️
I am not sure of all the reasons I like dolls, but I can name some. My eldest sister gave me a Pleasant Company Josefina, because she knew I loved her. I think she is one of the most prettiest American Girl dolls there are. I love learning about Hispanic culture and I love the Catholic Faith, and she combines them together. She is so peaceful just to look at and to hold. She reminds me of my sister’s love and generosity toward me. Dolls also help to connect me to my daughters. I am not anxious at all for them to grow up. They are so sweet. And I am really enjoying this time that we have together. It is going too quickly…
Hello, Karen,
This was just beautiful and made my heart sing.
Sally
Thank you, Sally 🙂
What a huge question Jeanne.
Why do I love dolls? I have always loved dolls and always had one growing up in UK. As far as I know they never had names I certainly had a lot from Woolworths! I grew up with rationing which didn’t stop completely till 1955 when I was 10 so I am guessing that a lot of the ones you girls are talking about weren’t available to me. My mum was a knitter more than a sewer so clothes for my dolls were either knitted or she would cut out a dress and I would sew it myself. I don’t remember many of the ones I made but I do remember one, mum cut out the dress from white fabric and I backstitched the seams (not very well I imagine) I think I added lace to the sleeves and hem and a blue ribbon for a sash. I remember a friend being very impressed when I said I made it myself.
I have always preferred sewing to knitting and many of the crafts I did over the years involved a needle. After two sons I finally had a daughter to sew for, she probably had the best wardrobe around for a while, I always wanted to produce something different. I remember giving a bag of dresses that Sam had grown out of to a missionary family who spoke at church. She didn’t look at it at the time, not until she got back to where she was staying but rang me in the afternoon absolutely over the moon because the dresses (she thought) were so pretty. She was used to being given cast offs that she wouldn’t give to the Sallies! As Sam grew up she discovered the UK Sindy doll which I loved and thought she was so much prettier and had a better figure than Barbie, unfortunately they eventually sold out to Mattel and she became just another Barbie. My second son also discovered Action Man and I made clothes for ever for both of them.
I played around a bit with bigger dolls but my granddaughters weren’t terribly interested in dolls and when I was working I didn’t really have time to make stuff. By this time I had discovered I was good at cake decorating and that took up a great deal of my time.
It really wasn’t until I discovered this blog that I realised there were adults out there who not only collect dolls but play with them and make things for them. Then my grandaughter decided she wanted a doll and bought one with her Christmas/birthday money last year. It was hard to make things for her doll without the doll so I realised I needed one of my own. Then I needed another, and another! Unfortunately only Our Generation, the other dolls are only available from overseas and any cost to you girls has to be more than doubled for me with postage, but one day…..!
The OG dolls don’t have the stories or historical data that the AG dolls have and I think there are very few collectors of dolls in NZ, if there are I haven’t found any, so making historical outfits are only going to be for my pleasure.
So that is me. I really have to go now to get ready for church but thanks ladies I love the friendship we share.
Thanks everyone!! I just took some time to sit down and read all the comments on here and in my email…
What fun stories you all have shared…some funny, some tearjerkers… I think we ALL love dolls differently and for different reasons, but we all can sit on my sofa and share stories that every other sister can relate to…
Thanks for asking this a great post!!
Blessings, Jeanne
A super question, indeed, and throughout today I have read the heartwarming responses as I went about my day. First, I think you are all incredible and I certainly feel the pain many of you have expressed and wondered how I would write my reply to the question. Most of you probably won’t see this , but that’s fine.
Dolls have always been a highlight of my life. Although my mother and I had a lot of difficulty throughout our time, I am eternally grateful for the efforts she made to try to make my doll dreams come true. She also made the most wonderful doll clothes for some of my dolls that I still have today…both the dolls and the clothes. Mom was a really good sewer and always had a sense of style. She taught me to sew and if nothing else, I learned the qualities of good structure, and finish work. So even though I do not sew, I go out of my way searching for doll clothes that are exquisitely made.
For several years, I collected limited edition dolls from doll artists. (Boy, how I miss Doll Reader magazine and Contemporary Doll Artist magazine.) All of those dolls are now out in the back garage and I spent insane money on them. Pretty sad.
When my husband and I visited Colonial Williamsburg in 2010, I saw so many young girls there with their AG dolls dressed in colonial outfits and so engrossed with these dolls. Our oldest granddaughter was then 5 and I knew then that I wanted her to get involved with these dolls to help promote a love of dolls, history and create a doll bond with her. One of the best days of my life was taking her to AG in Boston for her 8th birthday. We had a major blowout as well as a pretty decent lunch there. She went home with many bags, happy as a clam.
Then I started buying AG dolls for myself and searched Ebay and Etsy for clothes. From AG I went to Tonner, to Kish, to Little Darlings, and now to RRFF’s (thanks to Jeanne’s blog here!)
They all have boatloads of fabulous clothes and shoes (except for the RRFF’s). Looking at my dolls just makes my heart burst with love. Just pulling out outfits to admire the workmanship is a true kick. Everything is carefully packed between wearing, so they will be crisp for the next time.
Over the years, I have expanded my collection of R. John Wright felt dolls. The little children series and the nursery rhyme dolls really speak to me. They are so beautiful. My husband and I got our first one directly from John when he was first starting out in Vermont. He certainly has come a long, long way.
Bottom line? Dolls make me happy and always have. Doll clothes put me into ecstasy. Dolls have always given me comfort, solace and cheer. I love, love, love playing with them, and love this blog. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I could hug all of you.
Dear Sally, Where do you live in Colorado? I live in the Springs and I brought my son up in Manitou Springs from 1986=2002. His father and I moved to Old Colorado City and bought an 1898 home and fixed it up a bit inside and now my son lives with his new bride in this house, her brother and 3 children . He just had Id twin boys last June and now they will be one on 3 June this year. While I was being a real mother to a real baby boy doll, I had no idea that the doll artists were at their highest point in USA. I started to get into porcelain doll making in 2011-13 and I had a lousy teacher that could care less about me and my excitement. She had a group of women, much older than I and had been teaching them at this Senior Center for over 20 years. I stuck it out for one year then quit. I would either cry at class, or cry at home and I did not want this woman to keep teaching me and make me hate dollmaking so I quit. Then last year I found a woman in the Springs, whom I always admired in the past, but could not get to as of yet. I was not driving by myself or at all at that time. My husband went over driving skills with me due to him having a Colonostopy exam and I would have to pick him up . At least he scheduled it one month or so before I would have to drive myself. So he knew how scared I was at driving and went real slow with me and taught me how to be confident and I am very grateful to him for my Independence. So when I finally started to do doll making again I only had done it for a few months and we had Covid lockdowns. I was so bummed out. I am currently working on 2 mermaids and one Little Darling and a Daisy Elmira doll in a brunette wig with brown eyes. I love my teacher now and can’t wait to see her again.
Sally, I truly believe in my heart and soul that dollmaking is going to have a come back and that prices will go down as well. I believe that our Society and culture is going to have a Spiritual Revival as well and Come back to God like we did as a founding Nation long ago. I have real good feelings about all of our futures and dolls. I have a lot of Dollmaker, Dollreaders, DollPro magazines. All from sales from other people. I did not subscribe to them. I love the patterns inside all of them. I miss Dollartwork and I miss all those wonderful doll artists that had to give up their dreams of making it in that business. I love Malena by Vera Schotz the best and I even have a Malena made by Linda Plaskett whom is a professional doll artist. She has light brown hair like I do and brown eyes. Beautiful doll. I really miss Pleasant Rowland, the originator and creator of Pleasant Company which was sold to Mattel and then Called American Girl Company in 2000 much better than when Mattel owned it. The dolls back then were made in W. Germany and not Japan and China. I think good things are going to happen as well with our country relying on China as well. Not to be trusted anymore. We need to do things here in the USA.
Dear Elaine,
Bless you for being such a gentle soul. I just loved how you responded to Barbara, and obviously she sure appreciated your kindness and encouragement.
How terrible to have such an awful first experience at porcelain doll making. Clearly, that woman was not meant to be a teacher. Good for you to quit. Who likes being miserable? On the other hand, it seems that you will be able to resume classes with your new teacher again? That is exciting, and I just love that your hubby helped to get you feeling confident about driving. Three cheers for both of you! I hope to see pictures of your creations and your beautiful Malena!
I agree. Once Pleasant sold to Mattel, it has been so disappointing. I feel the same way about Madame Alexander. Boy, Cissy used to be one special fashion plate and so classically gorgeous. I still have mine from later childhood and cherish her.
Thank you again for your comments. I live in Salida which is a little over two hours from you. We don’t go to the Springs often, but the Old Town is a really neat section.
Sending a hug, and yes, “Made in the USA” is great!
Sally, I did see this and I loved it. My love of history drew me to the American Girls and I was able to share this with my young daughter. Two years ago I stopped waiting for grandchildren and started collecting them for myself. I also love the colonial era and Felicity has always been a favorite. You doll collection contains all of my favorites although the Ruby Reds are the only that I own from the list – thanks to Jeanne for introducing them to me. I miss Doll Reader and Contemporary Doll too. I read them cover to cover every month.
Debbie
Hi, Debbie,
Thank you. I see we are both former teachers, or are you still teaching? I taught a little US history but mainly English. It’s not that surprising that our backgrounds seem like a pretty logical connection with love of dolls.
We also definitely share our getting into RRFF dolls through dear Jeanne. With the exceptions of Luca and Daisy who have the same pouty mouths, I just feel these dolls exude so much warmth. Don’t you agree?
Hasn’t this been a most interesting blog for the weekend? Thank you so much for all you have written, Debbie, and I hope you have had a fine weekend.
Just thought I’d add an extra note, after having read all of yours.
When I was a girl (mid-50s–I was born 1/28/46) in upper Michigan, our dime store carried doll accessories, so, although I didn’t have very many Dolls, my allowance was often spent getting some little thing for one of the ones I did have. I remember getting plastic pants for my drink and wet baby, and several things–glasses, shoes, even Real bobby-sox!–for my 13″ walking doll (Princess Mary by Ideal–similar to a Toni doll).
Then back in the 1990s, we had quite a few doll shops in our area (three within a 40-minute drive of my house!) and I even worked in one–and they had Lots of shoes and other doll accessories! I was in my element!! I even occasionally sold an outfit at the store where I worked–my boss encouraged me to do so, and it was one of the “perks” of working there. I, too, heard the incredulous statement, “that much for a dress for a DOLL???” (to which I added, there are as many pieces in a doll dress as their are in a woman’s dress, but the pieces are smaller and it is more difficult to put them together), but I did have one lady who actually Looked for things I had made, because she loved my work and knew my things were well constructed. Nice to hear!
Sally, I love the R. John Wright dolls, too, but have never owned one. At this point in my life, I probably won’t, and that’s okay; I love my vinyl dolls!
Hi, Charlotte the Night Owl!
Both you and Barbara noted how folks don’t want to pay a fair price for handmade doll clothes. It’s a sad commentary on our society that we have come to undervaluing goods made from home, by hand, with love.
As for RJW dolls, the good news is that there are bargains to be found on eBay from time to time. Nobody is getting even close to what they originally paid. I just keep on lookout as there is only one other I crave. You might do a “save search” on his dolls, and maybe one might hop along into your home some day!
Thank you for the advice, Sally!! I hadn’t thought about that.
It seems like a lot of the dolls that were so highly sought 20-some years ago have gone down in value in recent years. One wonders if/when they will go back up!
I’m really late to the blog. I finally decided it was time to set up another scene, this one inspired by Linda received her Kirsten doll. I became interested in dolls when my granddaughter Riya was five years old and received her first American Girl doll. I hadn’t heard of them before as I had no girls. I did sew clothes for my boys but not for their GI Joe’s.
I was born as WWII started, so everything was scarce. The first doll I remember receiving was when I was about eight, the Mary Hoyer doll that Kathie reassembled at her doll hospital. She appeared on the blog one time after her rehab. I couldn’t resist ordering Molly when she was brought back as 1941 was the year I was born. It went from there when I found Jeanne’s blog and met friends who have contributed to the delinquency of an adult by encouraging me on in my collecting. I wouldn’t know things existed but for the blog. I also started sewing again after 40 years, figuring I could make the clothes too. Jeanne has been such an inspiration. I now have eight AG dolls, a newly acquired Kish Wren, several RRFF, Ellowyne and tons of doll clothes from eBay. Thanks to all for the encouragement of this obsession later in life.
Susette I like to come back the next day and read the posts after mine so I have seen and enjoyed yours. I nearly added a couple of years to your age as the beginning of WW!! was 1939 for us Brits lol.
I agree Jeanne is an inspiration I have learned a great deal from her. Take care
Dear Jeanne,
Wow…thanks for your question, our “food for thought “ for the weekend. We really got into it and learned so much about each other. Thank you SO much. Hope you have had a super weekend with your guests. “Nighty-noodle!l
❤️
One more late reader….. I have always loved my dolls. First one was “Susie,” who’s skin got leprosy back in the early 50’s….. I see some connections here!!! I collected International dolls that my grandparents brought back from their travels, and that inspired a life long interest in clothing around the world. At six years of age I was allowed to choose my own special doll at the wonderful Doll Department in the local store. I could spend hours looking at their displays. She was a Sweet Sue doll that had an extensive wardrobe that my mother and aunt sewed. As an only child, she often accompanied me to my parents friends homes that had no children to play with. She was always dressed for the occasion! Ginny dolls were also fun, and by that time, I found a friend that also enjoyed them. I “put away” dolls as a teen, except for the baby doll that had a place of honor on my bed. When we were empty nesters, the American Girls dolls came out and I was fascinated by the quality, historic element and the soft body. Kirsten, with my same Swedish heritage, was the last gift I received from my mother. I have enjoyed sewing for her (and my old Sweet Sue from the 1950’s!) and also setting up scenes and taking photos. Thankfully, my granddaughters also got involved in their dolls (from G’ma) and we had many fun hours spent imagining stories for them in different time periods. Already planning on how to incorporate my dolls when we have to “Downsize!”
Thank you all for your stories, and Jeanne for the question.
One very late to reader to the post. It will have to be short as I am suppose to be resting my eye as Friday I had a partial retina tear which has also left me to 6 gel like floaters.
I don’t collect dolls but I have a nice selection some which were my childhood dolls as well as my sisters. The typical ’50/60’s dolls and my favorites are my Patty Play Pals. I have 4 AG dolls are used except for one I one.
I love dolls. I love fabric. They are my therapy. Cheapest than s shrink or drugs.
After this issue with my eye if fixed I will go back and read everybodies post.
Jeanne the RRF outfit is just so sweat. I am sure it will sell quick.