I think this variety of doll is called a "church" doll because it was designed for church and quiet play. With a soft, rather abstract "body" which is only stuffed head in a square of cloth (in this case satin backed with flannel--best of both worlds) it is nearly half blanket/half doll and can fit nicely into a pocket or pouch to be pulled out during the sermon.While I edged this one with lace scraps and used an extra piece to form a little bonnet you could make it from a handkerchief or any piece of fabric--I imagine a little girl would have fun stuffing the head with batting and decorating her own doll.
I embroidered eyes on the face and used a bit of blush for the cheeks but you could use fabric markers or puffy paint and let her design her own friend.
The head is stuffed with batting and then tied around the neck with quilting thread (as it's a bit stronger than all-purpose thread) and the hands are knotted off. That's all there is to it--a head and two hands and maybe a bonnet or a piece of lace around the neck to hide the thread. Easy and quick.
Lillian grabbed this one and immediately named her Margery. Yes, Margery. Wherever THAT came from.
9 comments:
Love! I think my girl could do some of this with me...we'll have to try it!
Very cute. This will tell my age but when I was a little girl my Mother would pull out her hanky during church and fashion it into a little doll for me to play with.
That's beautiful!
Our ladies group made these one year as Christmas decorations. The doll fits nicely over a plastic cup to stand on a shelf.
This is just so beautiful. It would make a great Baptism gift too.
I used to have one of these when I was a little girl. My grandmother gave it to me. I remember it having a different name but I can't remember what.
I really like the one you made, with the extra lace and embroidered eyes. I just might have to make one now.
My daughter is in a Margery phase too. She likes the name because of the House Called Awful End Series by Philip Ardagh--it's the name of the cow a character lives in. (Great series by the way, if you haven't checked it out with the kids you should, they're fast, fun and full of trivia tidbits, Lemony Snicket style).
The doll is pretty great.
I found your site through Cocoa's. Loved your post about in-laws. I wanted to let you know that these type of dolls are popular where I am from. The bonnet is often a lace edged hanky that the child can carry during her wedding (girl) or offer to his bridge (boy). A friend gave my newest daughter one with her initials monogrammed on the blanket part.
Oh, I love this idea! I'm going to make one or two for my little girl out of the leftover material from my wedding dress! Such a sweet heirloom gift!
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