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.

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.

Simplicity 9193 - 16" Witch doll for Halloween

This pattern, designed by Mitzi Bibens and Donna Towe, makes a witch doll and her simple outfit. The pattern is dated 1994.

The witch doll is made in a separated pancake style with lobster-claw hands. She has a center-seam face and some very simple needle sculpting to give her eyes and mouth added definition. Her lower legs are shaped like pointy-toed boots. A dowel inside her torso and head keeps her head from flopping. Her facial features can be painted or drawn with marker and colored pencil. The instructions call for her boots to be painted black - but it would seem to be simpler just to make her legs from black fabric. Her hair is purchased wool.

Her outfit is constructed very simply. The bloomers and two piece dress are sewn to her, but with a few simple alterations they could be made removable. The sleeves and hem of the dress are cut in long points with no finished hem. Her hair is glued to her head and the hat is then glued to the hair.

This is a fairly simple pattern which could produce good results for a beginning sewer. It is meant to be a decoration, not a child's plaything.

Butterick 16" Holly Hobbie Doll and Wardrobe patterns (1990)

In 1990, Butterick issued a pattern to make a 16" cloth Holly Hobbie doll wearing an old fashioned dress and floppy hat, and a separate pattern to make a wardrobe of clothes for her.

The doll looks fairly simple to make, but has some unusual construction elements. Her head is shaped with darts, and her yarn bangs are sewn to the top of the face piece before the doll is put together. The rest of her hair is applied after she is stuffed. Each arm is made with one piece of fabric; the back seam of the arm is more like a dart. Her shoes are sewn to the bottom of her legs to form her feet. She has a rear end shaped so she can sit. Her facial features are meant to be painted on, but you could embroider or draw them with markers as well.

The clothing pattern that comes with the doll pattern makes a dress with lots of gathers, and a floppy hat with bow. No underwear pattern is included.

The separate clothing pattern makes a jumper with blouse, bloomers and hat; a dress with bloomers, a coat and hat, and a nightgown with night cap. Everything is trimmed with eyelet ruffling. The sleeves, bloomers and night cap are all gathered with elastic. The buttons on the front of the coat are decorative only; it closes with snaps, as do the blouse and dress. The nightgown has a velcro closure.

The patterns both include iron-on transfers of the Holly Hobbie logo. It would have made much more sense to have the transfer for her facial features, or the design on her dress, rather than having to trace them from the pattern piece or paint them freehand.

Butterick 3668 - Simple 11.5" Doll with Clothes & Carrying Case (1994)

Butterick pattern #3668 makes an 11.5" girl doll with a complete wardrobe of clothes, and a carrying case to take it all with you. It is dated 1994.

The doll is made in a separated pancake style, with simple facial features to be drawn on with markers, with a little powdered blush for her cheeks. Her braided hairstyle is made from worsted weight yarn. Her shoes and socks are part of her body. She has mitten hands.

She has a complete wardrobe including camisole and shorts; dress trimmed with lace; nightgown; top and jumper; overalls and vest; and coat. Her straw hat is to be purchased. The carrying case includes a bed for her with blanket and pillow, and two pockets to hold all her clothes.

The pattern is fairly simple, but with detailed instructions, and the doll is sturdy enough for play. A nice beginner pattern, or for a parent and child to make together.

McCall's Crafts 5515 - American Heirloom Dolls (1991)

McCall's Crafts pattern #5515 titled "American Heirloom Dolls" makes a very simple cloth doll with no facial features or hair. Her outfit is designed to be made using vintage linens such as pillowcases, napkins, dresser scarves, etc; but any fabric can be used.

The doll is a very simple separated pancake style with stump hands, jointed at the hips and stitched across the shoulders. While she is not intended to have facial features or hair, the maker can add these as desired.

The gown has eight variations, including a button band down the bodice, optional slip and apron, yoke and vest treatments on the bodice. Some hints are given on how to take advantage of embroidery or lace edging on a piece of linen. The doll also wears sunbonnet. This pattern has quite a bit of gathering, but is otherwise fairly simple.

This doll would be a great way to display not only your vintage linens, but also a favorite piece of clothing that belonged to you or a loved one, or even a piece of a wedding gown. With a project like this, a piece of your family history could be shared and enjoyed, instead of hidden away in a box in the attic.

McCall's 6831 - One and Only Creations Recycled Soda Bottle Dolls

This has got to be one of the strangest patterns I've ever seen. Dated 1993, the 27" doll has a torso made from an empty two liter soda bottle. Now, I'm all for recycling, but this is taking it a bit far. Cloth dolls are supposed to be cuddly!

The facial features can be either painted or embroidered. The maker is instructed to transfer the features using a "sharp pencil or "dressmaker's carbon and pencil" or Fantastic Face iron-on transfer. There are some cursory instructions for embroidering the face.

The hair is packaged synthetic doll hair, which may be hand-sewn or glued to the head. No instructions are given.

The dolls' hands are mitten style, with stitches to indicate separate fingers. The limbs are attached to the bottle by means of a button at the end of each limb, inserted into a slit cut in the bottle. You then glue over the slit to "secure" it.

Although four dolls are shown on the front of the envelope, they are all identical except for hairstyle.

The outfit consists of a dress with gathered sleeves and a button front; pantaloons and hat. There are three different styles of hats. Purchased shoes and socks complete the outfit.

While this is a pretty doll than any little girl could fall in love with, the construction seems flimsy and is unlikely to hold up to being played with.

Have you made this pattern?

McCalls 7116 - Heritage Dolls

McCall's pattern #7116, dated 1994, makes three different pairs of 15" dolls. On the front of the envelope, they are called Native American, African and Country Folk dolls. On the instruction sheet, they are called American Indian, African American and Pennsylvania Dutch.

The dolls have shaped heads with flat faces. The instructions say to "Transfer facial features," however, there is no iron-on transfer included; the design of the features is printed on tissue paper. The maker is instructed to "fill in facial features using fabric paints and following manufacturer's directions." No other help is given.

The dolls' arms and legs are sewn and stuffed separately, then attached to the body. The hands are mitten shaped. The maker is instructed to use "wool doll hair" for the Native American and Country Folk dolls and "yarn" for the African dolls. The instructions for applying it are very brief. The hair is glued to the dolls' heads.

The Country Folk/Pennsylvania Dutch dolls have a quilt as an accessory. This is to be made from pre-quilted fabric or a piece of a cutter quilt.

Although it doesn't look like a difficult pattern, due to the lack of detail in the instructions, it would likely be suitable for experienced doll makers only. The dolls as pictured on the front of the envelope are charming and have faces reminiscent of the antique hand painted Babyland Rag dolls made by Horsman.

I haven't seen any of these dolls made up. If you have made this pattern, please share your experience.