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.