Friday, March 25, 2011

Little 40's Rag Doll

My friend, Barb, brought in this little wool rag doll to share with me.
Her question was about replacing the clothing because being old and being wool there were some moth holes in it. 
I have seen this pattern before, it was a well used pattern of the 40's...in fact I have a doll that is a larger version of this one but made of cotton fabric. The design of the pattern was quite popular and many makers design their dolls with this basic body-type.

My take on vintage or antique pieces is to keep them as original as possible. Once you replace or even mend it, the value lessens. Sometimes, the value is not the issue and restoring it to stabilize it may take precedence for it to remain a precious keepsake.

For this little doll I thought it was in excellent condition and the moth holes, I believe, just added to the charm of the doll.
close up of face
notice the eyes and mouth 
+ stitching is all intact
 Little Flower embroidered on dress
 Little purse- 
notice the precious hand-sewn stitches

 Boot-nice detail with different colored sole!
Who ever Edith and Priscilla were, 
they had good design and nice color sense 

These dolls mostly made by home sewers are still available  and I find, charming. The style and quality varies depending of the skill of the maker...but isn't that what dollmaking is all about?

If interested you can search for vintage cloth doll on ebay or other search engines, you will probably find another doll that drags you away and into another search...it is all interesting!

The 40's rag doll patterns are also still available and come in many different sizes. One company that keeps popping up in my search is Laura Wheeler and here again...much to find and pull you in another direction!

 If you are adventurous and would like to make your own here are some links for patterns:

Free pattern and directions from: HawkCrossing



More vintage patterns from sewfunpatterns.com
 
If you decide to find a pattern and make - let us know!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

John C Campbell

You know something really touches you when it stays with you even after you have been home for awhile...as always this is the case of the magical experience I have when I visit John C Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC...yes magical.

I find the trip there long but that drudgery of the hustle bustle of the airport and catching the shuttle in time fades as I stepped into my cozy room at the Farm House. Quiet and charming...peace at last.
My space where my class is held is in the quilting studio- talk about space, I bet I could fit 20 students in there comfortably, and large windows to overlook special views.

View from window overlooking the Barn
Fluffy cardinal branched during the rain

Morning comes and my walk down the wooded path to the Dining Hall is wondrous. It is one of my favorite things about the school- the paths. As I walk, this time if the year I find textures everywhere- very moist and very un-like my mile high dry climate.

Wooded path from Farm House to Dining Hall

Mossy tree
Mossy stream


I find the time my students and I have together very special, for the time. We have the time to talk, to create, to learn from start to finish- all those little tricks I can show them, time to enjoy the nature around us, time to eat- yes great food, and time for music and much laughter. 





Yes indeed ~Magical...


more photos to come to ROotie News first part of April!!




Friday, March 11, 2011

Away teaching this week

Hello Everyone-

I am away teaching this week at 
John C Campbell Folk School in NC!
It will be fabulous time, the woods, the food, 
and most importantly my students- 
it is a wonderful experience to spend a whole week with them 
and create this doll from start to finish!
Will return next week with my adventures from there!

The Doll I am teaching...
Santos Maria


Friday, March 4, 2011

Strawberry Shortcake

No...not the actual cake but the doll- Strawberry Shortcake!
ok yes, you all know that I love sweet- but not too sugary...
This sweet doll group was a little after my time of actually "playing" with dolls. But they still speak to me in their darling way...

I believe my collecting started when I happened upon a Strawberry Shortcake at an antique mall while looking for something else...there she was in the case no hat no shoes no pet...so lonely...and yes, I did get her....and then the hat, shoes, and finally her pet...
Strawberry Shortcake w/ Custard the Cat
...and then you know how that goes...ebay...other antique malls...searching...searching...and now I love my little collection that sits on my top shelf above my computer desk area...all sweetly smiling down at me spreading their sunshine with their happy little faces...just nice.



My dolls in my little collection (to date):
Orange Blossom w/Marmalade Butterfly
Blueberry Muffin w/ Cheesecake Mouse
Raspberry Tart w/ Rhubarb Monkey
Lemon Meringue w/ Frappe Frog
Crepe Suzette w/ Eclair Poodle
Lime Chiffon w/ Parfait Parrot
Almond Tea w/ Marza Panda
Lem and Aida w/ Sugarwoffer


I had to pull out my collectibles book to reference the names of these precious little ones...and came across my list of the ones I wanted to collect...and believe it or not- there where still names on my list! Hummm....ebay here I come- 
we need more friends!!

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