Cloth Doll Patterns in 1960s Needlecraft Catalog

These cloth doll patterns were offered in an undated catalog named Needlecraft Patterns. This appears to be another incarnation of Reader Mail, Inc., a company that advertised all types of craft patterns in newspapers across the U.S. Because the catalog also offers knitting patterns for Barbie dolls, with photos of dolls from the early 1960s, that helps to date it. The 9" doll with wardrobe of clothes, the laundry bag doll and topsy turvy doll are both baseball head style. The Sleepytime Gal, 12" clown and Santa are sock dolls. The floppy cowboy doll is 44" tall.

Beanie the Clown Doll - Idaho Bean Commission -1960s?

Beanie the Clown pattern was given away free by the Idaho Bean Commission. There is no date on the pattern, but it looks to be from the 1960s.

It doesn't say what size Beanie is, but based on similar dolls I have had, he's probably about 6" tall. His torso/legs are gathered at the top to attach to his head. He has no arms, just felt mittens sewn in to the side seams of his body. His feet are felt also. An illustration of his facial features is included, but it is left to the maker to decide how to apply them. Beanie has no hair. He is stuffed with beans (of course!)

Since his body is his costume, the only other clothing pieces are his hat and the ruffle around his neck, which are sewn in place.

There were other cloth and character dolls similar to Beanie made in the mid-20th century. Their simple construction made them popular bazaar items. The exhortations to eat beans ("Let a pot of Beans be cooking while you're sewing.") make this a fun advertising collectible as well as a cute pattern.