A Vintage-look Andy!

Ever since my kids were little toddlers, which is about 28 years ago, I've made Raggedy Ann and Andy's for them and for all the special little kids in my life.  

I've made them for nieces and nephews, my best girlfriends children, my grand-daughter and a few on commission.  

(I actually have a box that says "Raggedy Ann and Andy Hospital" and it, unfortunately, is full of numerous dolls in need of repair.  They have the owners names pinned to them:  Matt, Andrew, Emily, Carol Kay, David .... etc!  Dolls that are about 20 years old that I need to repair and send back to their original owners, now some of them parents themselves!)

The pattern I use was my mothers, McCalls 6941.  It is the pattern she made dolls for each of us four kids when we were little.  I think my mother has our dolls in her cedar chest.    

Although my pattern isn't in as good of condition as the picture I pulled off of internet!  Mine is tattered and torn and written on by my daughter, Andrea, when was five years old and wrote on  everything!  

It is a very sweet little pattern full of wonderful details.

I was commissioned to make this little Andy for the grandson of my dear friend.  

(Remember Grant?)

The hair is the trickiest detail.  I've never been very good at it.  But the key is to make it really full and thick.  When I was in New Mexico in November, my Mom worked on his hair for me and then I finished it up by adding a lot of thickness!  I was happy how this one came out, with his cute little Sailor cap.

I do love the handwork required in this pattern.  I did a little looking at all the newer Ann and Andy patterns.  First of all they are hard to find and I noticed that nothing is hand sewn.  Most of them are painted.  I just love the hand sewing.  I even love the button eyes.  I think a lot of people worry about children pulling the eyes off and swallowing them.  I guess that is the world we live in.  Incidentally, all of the Ann and Andy dolls in my "hospital" still have their eyes!  It is the hair and clothes that is missing!

He's just a darling little vintage look doll.

I loved wrapping him up all pretty for Christmas and  sending him to Grant.

And from the picture his Mommy texted me, I think Grant loved getting him!

I'm excited for this new year - I've got some fun projects planned and a few changes coming to my blog.

 And later this week, I've got a really exciting give-away planned here on my blog!   Be sure to come back in a few days - you won't want to miss your chance to win!  

(And it's not a Raggedy Ann or Andy, sorry!)