Handkerchief Fairy Doll by Nancy Porras (1985)

The pattern for this 16" cloth fairy doll, designed by Nancy Porras, was published in the April 1985 issue of National Doll World magazine. She is a separated pancake style doll, with each body part being sewn from an identical front and back, or right and left, piece.

Instructions for the Handkerchief Fairy doll call for her to be made from peach broadcloth, though you could of course use any color. She has small mitten hands with a long thumb, and her legs are shaped slightly bent, with her toes pointed, like a ballerina. She has pointed ears which are part of her head, rather than separately applied. Her face is painted with acrylic paints, but could easily be embroidered or drawn with markers instead. Her hair is made from two skeins of embroidery floss.

Handkerchief Fairy's only clothing is a dress made from a floral hankie. The one used for the pictured doll was 14" square. Satin ribbon forms the belt. She has no shoes or underwear. One unusual feature is the beaded tiara and necklace.

This is a fairy simple pattern, but her long thin arms and legs might be a challenge for a beginner to stuff smoothly. The instructions say "the doll and dress can easily be made in an afternoon," but that estimate would be for an experienced sewer, as the steps are not illustrated, and not explained in great detail. Those who enjoy dollmaking more than costuming will appreciate the dress that requires no hemming or closures. The beadwork is an interesting addition to this simple but unusual doll.

Chelsea, The Wood Nymph by Jeanette Amick

 

Chelsea, The Wood Nymph was designed by Jeanette Amick of Hayward, CA. The pattern was published in the June 1992 issue of Doll Life magazine. 

Chelsea is a separated pancake style doll. No size is given, but it looks like she would make up to be about 8" tall. She is to be made of unbleached or ecru colored muslin, with a painted face and Spanish moss for hair. Her face could easily be embroidered or drawn in place as well, and embroidery floss could be used for hair if you wish her to have a more conventional look.

Because she is such a small doll, the instructions call for the stitching lines of the body pieces to be transferred to the fabric and then stitched before cutting out the pieces.

Chelsea's fully-lined outfit includes a simple shirt and a skirt made of alternating small and large petals sewn to a waistband. She has boots with turned-up toes as well. Chelsea is meant to be displayed on a piece of driftwood with peacock feathers, as in the photo.

This pattern is suitable for a sewer with some dollmaking experience. Step-by-step instructions are given, but the steps are not illustrated, and a few steps seem to have been left out. For example, nowhere does it say to stuff the head, but obviously that needs to be done.

Her small size will appeal to those who like to make little dolls, and simple changes or embellishments to her face, hair and outfit could create a forest of different fairies. If you have made this doll, please leave a comment to tell us about your experience.

Laura Ingalls Doll by Alison Bushell (1985)

 

Laura Ingalls doll is 10 1/2" tall (27 cm) and was designed by Alison Bushell. The pattern was published in the Summer 1985 edition of National Doll World Omnibook magazine. Although the television series about Laura's life, Little House on the Prairie, was no longer being produced by the time this pattern appeared, the show was still being shown in syndication, and the books the series was based on were as popular as ever.

Laura is a baseball head style doll. The instructions call for her to be made from cotton fabric. The back of her neck is longer than the front for a slightly more natural appearance. She has mitten hands with stitched lines to suggest fingers. Her arms are sewn on with hand stitches at the shoulder. Her legs are sewn to the front of her torso, enabling her to sit.

Her facial features are very simple. The maker is instructed to sketch them on freehand and then stitch with embroidery floss. For her hair, the instructions call for the head to be covered with machine-knitting yarn in broad stitches, then a hank of yarn is sewn at the center part and braided. A few extra strands sewn to either side of the head give a more realistic look.

This pattern includes a wardrobe of old fashioned clothing including two dresses, an apron, petticoat and drawers, black stockings and side button boots, a sunbonnet, straw hat, fur cape, wool hood  and knitted mittens. Laura also has her own doll, a pancake style girl with floss hair who wears a dress and pantaloons.

This pattern looks like it would make a nice doll. Unfortunately the photos accompanying it are poor quality and black-and-white, making it difficult to see what she actually looks like. She has fairly complex construction for such a small size doll. The diagrams do help, but the details of the costume, coupled with the somewhat vague instructions mean this pattern would be best for an experienced, or at least confident, sewer. 

Baby Belinda by Linda Nanette Kelley (1984)

Baby Belinda is a baby doll about 12" tall. This pattern was designed by Linda Nanette Kelley, and published in the Summer 1985 issue of National Doll World Omnibook magazine. She is designed to be made from polyester double knit fabric with moderate stretch. The instructions specifically say not to use a very stretchy fabric. The maker is instructed to stuff her head and body section "VERY firmly."

Baby Belinda is a baseball-head style doll with head and torso in one piece, and separate arms and legs. A chin dart adds further shape to her head. She has mitten style hands. Her limbs are attached with large snaps, which is a very unusual way to join them. She has an applied nose and applied ears. Her facial features are drawn with a quilting pen and fine tipped markers. She has a few loops of yarn for hair.

Her outfit consists of a dress with eyelet trim and short puffed sleeves, matching bonnet, panties, and booties made of ribbing. She comes with instructions to make a simple patchwork quilt.

Although the steps to sew Belinda and her outfit are not illustrated, the instructions are easy to understand . Anyone with some sewing experience should be able to make her with no difficulty. Her very simple hair and drawn-on features make for a quick project.

Elegant African Woman Cloth Doll by Marcella Welch (1993)

This very simple pattern makes a lady doll dressed in a traditional costume of West Africa. No finished size is given, but it looks like she would make up to be about 15" tall. The pattern was designed by Marcella Welch and appeared in the April 1993 issue of Doll World magazine.

She is a stump doll, meaning she has no legs, and her body is made from African print fabric to resemble a dress. The body is almost cylindrical, wider at the bottom with a circular base, and rounded at the top. Plastic pellets are used along with the fiberfill stuffing to give her some weight. She has slightly curved arms with only a suggestion of hands. Her head is spoon-shaped and has a wooden craft stick inserted to keep it erect. She has no hair or facial features.

This simple doll is beautifully accessorized with a lappa (wrapper) around her shoulders, and a gele (traditional headwrap). Gold cord forms her bracelets, neck rings and earrings. She has a beaded necklace as well, and carries a straw basket of fruit.

The step-by-step instructions are detailed, and the steps to wrap the gele correctly are illustrated. This would be an excellent project for a beginning sewer. The directions call for the accessories to be hot-glued in place, but they could be stitched instead if you prefer.

Candy by Adelle Alexander (1985)

This pattern, published in the December 1985 issue of National Doll World magazine, makes a large baby doll with bent legs, meant to sit. No finished size is given, but she appears to be life-size, or nearly so.

Candy is a baseball-head doll, with curved seams to shape her head, but she has a few differences. The seams are widely spread apart and sharply curved, making her face more square than round. She also has a small round applied nose and applied ears. Her hands have individual fingers, rather than the usual mitten hands. Candy is pictured with embroidered features, and yarn hair.

She wears a very cute dress with a yoke and pleated skirt, short puffed sleeves and a sailor collar. The pattern also includes pieces for panties, shoes and socks.

The doll pattern is full size, while the outfit pattern is printed on a grid to be enlarged.

There appear to be some issues with this pattern. The instructions are very brief. There is no mention of how the arms and legs are to be attached to the torso. The very large head would almost certainly need some internal support to keep upright, but this is not addressed. The instructions for the facial features read only "Embroider face or cut features from felt and glue in place." The instructions for the hair describe curls, while the photo clearly shows straight hair. Candy might make a nice doll, but only in the hands of a very experienced dollmaker. Her outfit made as shown in red, white and blue, would make a cute summer time display.

Pocket Pals Doll Pattern by Kathleen Taylor

This pattern to make Meg, a Pocket Pals doll, was designed by Kathleen Taylor and published in the May/June 1982 issue of National Doll World magazine. Meg is a miniature pancake doll, just 4" doll, wearing a dress, socks and mary jane shoes. Patterns to make a nightgown and coat for her were also included.

The construction of the Pocket Pals couldn't be simpler. The only fabrics required are a 10" x 8" piece of muslin and a small piece of fusible interfacing. The doll and her clothing are traced onto the muslin using a fine tip permanent marker, and colored with embroidery paints. The fusible interfacing, applied to the clothing pieces, eliminates the need for hemming. Once colored and cut out, the doll pieces are stitched together, clipped at the appropriate points, turned and stuffed. The nightgown and coat are stitched at the side seams, and finished with snaps.

This doll would make a wonderful little friend for a child, and replacing the tiny snaps with Velcro would make her even easier to dress. Her hair, eye color and clothing can be customized in any colors, and by using darker fabrics rather than plain muslin, she can reflect any race.

Design 7382 - Vintage Little Girl Sock Doll

Design #7382 makes a little girl doll from men's size 11 1/2 or 12 tan, white or flesh-color cotton socks. No publisher's name is on the pattern, but it appears to be a publication of Reader Mail, Inc., the company responsible for Laura Wheeler, Marian Martin and Alice Brooks patterns, among others. The name on the envelope this one came in is Household Needlecraft Service. The pattern and instructions are printed on one side of a 19.5" x 15" sheet of paper. The reverse side has general instructions for a variety of needlecrafts.

This pattern is nearly identical to Design #736, with a few small differences. That pattern makes both a boy and girl doll, with different faces, and the body has two darts for shaping, which this one doesn't. The girl doll in that pattern wore a nightie, while this one is dressed in two piece pajamas.

No finished size is given for the doll, but it appears she would be about 12" tall.  Detailed illustrations are shown for making her hair, of "straw yarn" or wool. She has embroidered features and applied ears.

Her pajamas, which are to be made of percale, flannel, gingham or muslin, have a simple pant but a somewhat confusing top with a yoke, which would have benefited from an illustration of construction.

Like all vintage sock doll patterns, the hardest thing about making this doll might be finding an appropriate sock to use. Have you made this pattern, or another vintage sock doll? If so, please leave a comment and tell me about your experience.

McCall's #4780 / UK60 - Wombles Doll Pattern (1974)

The Wombles are furry fictional characters from a series of children's books written by Elisabeth Beresford and originally published from 1968 to 1976. They live in underground burrows and recycle discarded objects in creative ways - what would be referred to today as upcycling. The stories were adapted into a BBC television series in the 1970s, and the Wombles also occasionally appeared in the US on the Captain Kangaroo TV show.

McCall's pattern #4780 (issued in the United Kingdom as UK60), makes a 12" doll with clothing and accessories to make up five different Wombles characters.

Construction
The instructions call for the Wombles body to be made of long pile faux fur with jersey knit face, ears, hands and feet. Buttons are to be used for the eyes and nose, with circles of felt for the whites of the eyes. The seaming is unusual and fairly complex, but there are no joints to worry about. The hands have stitched lines to indicate fingers.

Clothing
The clothing pieces are to be made primarily of felt, except for Uncle Bulgaria's tartan costume. Knitting instructions are given to make mufflers and a scarf. Spectacles and walking stick are made from pipe cleaners wrapped in felt.

Notes
The Wombles are cute and their story line makes them even more interesting. I question the recommendation to use jersey for parts of the dolls, as it seems too lightweight and stretchy unless you are stuffing very loosely. I would go for a heavier, more stable knit. The pattern calls for the doll to be stuffed with kapok, but that's expensive and not easily available these days, so fiberfill (recycled, of course!) might be a better option.

Find Wombles patterns on eBay!

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.

Cloth Doll Patterns in 1950s Alice Brooks Designs Catalog

These patterns were offered in an Alice Brooks Designs catalog. It is not dated, but appears to be from the 1950s. Alice Brooks was one of the many names used by Reader Mail, Inc., a company that advertised all types of craft and sewing patterns in newspapers throughout the U.S. The patterns are priced at 25 cents each. Some of the dolls are baseball head style, and some are sock dolls.

Cloth Doll Patterns in 1940s Laura Wheeler Catalog

These pages are from an undated Laura Wheeler catalog. Judging by the hair and clothing styles, it is from the 1940s. Laura Wheeler was one of the names used by Reader Mail, Inc., which advertised patterns in newspapers throughout the U.S. The patterns are priced at 15 cents each. The cloth dolls are all baseball head style.

Free Vintage Cuddle Toys Pattern - Bunny & Bear Stuffed Animals

These sweet animals are from a Laura Wheeler Designs catalog from the 1950s. They have very simple pancake construction with embroidered details. Click on the images below to bring up a full size version, then right click to save to your computer.

Simplicity 6006 - Holly Hobbie Rag Doll and Wardrobe (1973)

Simplicity pattern 6006 makes a Holly Hobbie doll with her wardrobe. Several patterns have been issued over the years to make Holly, but this was the first one. It is dated 1973.

There is no size given on the pattern, but the doll makes up to be about 20" tall. She has an unusual construction in that her head is to be made from a sock, while the rest of her is regular woven fabric. Darts add some shape to her torso. She has mitten hands with stitching to indicate fingers, and flat soled feet. The maker is instructed to put two rows of running stitches around the doll's head at the level of her eyes. This is meant to give the head some shape. She has embroidered features. Buttons can be used for her eyes; or her eyes can be embroidered onto scraps of fabric that are then used to cover buttons, which are then attached for eyes. Holly has yarn hair steamed into curls.

Holly's wardrobe consists of a long slip and pinafore (made from the same pattern pieces), a long sleeved dress, bloomers, poke bonnet, and felt Mary Jane style shoes. The underwear has ribbon inserted into eyelet lace for trim.

I have seen several of these dolls made up, and in my opinion they are some of the ugliest vintage cloth dolls I've ever encountered. The shaping of the head, the embroidered covered button eyes and the French knot nostrils are just plain weird. But then again, some people like weird! For a pattern collector, this is certainly an unusual design.

Copyright 2015 by Zendelle Bouchard