A Vintage-look Andy!

Sunday, January 11, 2015





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!)


28 comments:

  1. So cute! I love things that can be passed down from generation to generation!

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    1. I know, I agree! It just makes them all at the more special, doesn't it? - Dori -

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  2. Oh that happy little boy :) I love your hand sewn details.

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    1. Barbara, it's kind of sad that the newer patterns took out the hand sewing and replaced it with either felt pieces zigzag stitched on, or painting. I love the hand work details the best. - Dori -

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  3. Oh my goodness, those are so cute!! What a great job you did! My mom made some for my girls a few years ago and we treasure them. My dad's family knows the Gruelle family as they 'summered" where we live after moving to Florida in the 1920s I think, and one of the granddaughters is still here. I'm sure they never imagined how popular these dolls would be. Those are adorable!!

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    1. Anita, I'm glad you treasure the ones your Mom made for your girls. I'm sure it makes her very happy. I wish I could collect some of those original books by Johnny Gruelle. Aren't they just the most amazing illustrations? One of my readers commented on this post that this year is the 100th Anniversary. I think it deserves a celebration... I'm planning one in my mind! :-) - Dori -

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  4. Omgoodness! This past week my daughter and I went through her baby/little girl boxes and there were 3 sizes of Raggedy Ann's. Large one my mom made for Caitlin, regular one my Grandma made for me and the small one, my sister made for Caitlin. We love them so, especially the I Love You hearts. The picture of Grant with his Raggedy Andy is so precious! Honestly Dori, I just laughed in surprised with this post. And yes, the hair drove my sister nuts. Looking forward to this years posts, Kathleen in Az

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    1. Hi Kathleen! Aren't coincidences like this one funny? They happen a lot in the blogging world, I've discovered. I'll have a post all ready, saved in drafts, ready to publish and someone else will write almost the exact same thing! So I delete it because I'm afraid they will think I copied them! I'm happy that you were thinking Raggedy Ann and Andy when I was thinking it! :-) I love those hearts too. They really are special little dolls, aren't they? And I think it is awesome that you and your sister have yours. It's very special. Happy Monday to you, friend. - Dori -

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  5. What a wonderful creator of these iconic dolls. I had a set once upon a time.

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    1. Hi Vee, they are such special dolls. Maybe you'll come across your set somewhere! - Dori -

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  6. Raggedy Ann & Andy "officially" turn 100 this year! The first copyright on them was in 1915! :)

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    1. Thanks for letting me know that! I didn't realize it. I think I'm going to plan a party for grand-girls... maybe a full out Ann and Andy party. :-) - Dori -

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  7. i love the picture of the little boy and his andy....I think he was happy!!!!...lol....I love the dolls and the handwork that you did

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    1. I know... he was so happy with it! I also love that his Grammie wanted him to have one. It made my day. - Dori -

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  8. Oh do post of a few of them (pictures included) and a small paragrapg about owner and what age they received their doll, as they are released from your hospital!! I still have my 36" Raggedy Andy my husband bought me while we were dating 4o years ago! :)

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    1. I had that thought when I was writing my blog post.... maybe I better get motivated and get those dolls repaired and write about each one! I'm quite certain that their Momma's have pictures of them with their dolls when they were little kiddos. It would make a very fun blog post. Thanks for the idea! And I LOVE that your husband bought you one and you still have it. That is so special. - Dori -

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  9. Dori, what a wonderful gift to Grant!. He is adorable with his little Raggity Andy. Love your posts with all the handmade things. They give me ideas for my family and others for whom I want to make gifts. I always look forward to hearing what you are doing on your farm.

    Take care,
    Emily

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    1. Hi Emily, thank you for always commenting on my blog. I've been meaning to email you and see how things are on your farm? Happy Monday to you, friend. - Dori -

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  10. How precious! It is especially wonderful that you have and use the same pattern that your mother used for you! My grandmother made my sister and I rag dolls that I loved and treasured. My sister is deceased but I was able to pass our dolls to my daughters and they are packed away now with the baby clothes that my grandmother made for me and that I used for them. Some day I hope to have a little granddaughter or two who I can pass these treasures, made by their great grandmother, down to. Handmade is always so special! I am sure your dolls are family treasures too!

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    1. Hi Kathy, I love that I have my Mom's pattern. I think she loves it too. When I was there in November, I had taken the pattern and the Andy so we could work on his hair together and it made my Mom so happy. It brought back memories of when she made our dolls for us. I'm so happy you were able to pass yours and your sisters dolls down to your girls... I hope you have a little granddaughter to make one for someday (or grandson!). Happy Monday to you! - Dori -

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  11. What an adorable homemade Andy. The sweet little boy loving him just makes your heart smile. Love your blog.

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    1. Tracy - he really does make my heart smile! Thanks for commenting! - Dori -

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  12. Your dolls are especially charming. I also like the embroidery work you do on the faces. What a sweet dumpling that Grant is! (melt)

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    1. He is such a sweet little dumpling.

      I was looking on your blog at the baby quilt - the one in the building blocks pattern. I love it. I'm thinking of making it for a cousin that is having a baby in May. It is a really pretty pattern and yours came out beautiful. I've always hand-quilted. Wondering if I should try my hand at machine quilting???

      - Dori -

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  13. Dori, what an adorable doll. I also wanted to let you know that I like your new blog design.

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    1. Hi Lori. Thanks for letting me know you noticed my new blog design. I was so ready for a change and not sure if I'm totally in love with it yet. Hopefully it will grow on me! :-) - Dori -

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  14. Hello Dori, As soon as I saw the flowers surrounding your photo I thought that fits you.
    I love the new blog design. Adorable doll, I love handmade dolls. My daughter made an handmade Chinese doll for my first little girl from China. That was ten years ago and she still loves it. Have a wonderful week.

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  15. Wow, this is a blast from the past! I have a set of the large ones given to me when I was a child. I still have them and I'm 51! They have all their clothes, Andy never had a hat that I can remember. Thanks for the memories :)

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