Love These Prim' Girls!

Have you seen these primitive dolls? I saw them on Pinterest (where else?) and I really wanted one. Or three. Here are some of the photos from Pinterest:

So cute! Of course, I set out to make a few. I had a pattern for making rag dolls, but not specifically primitive dolls.

This is the pattern I used. I have had this pattern a long, long time. So happy to finally use it!

I decided to sew the dolls on my machine, but make all of the clothes by hand. Good thing that these gals are "primitive", as that is my sewing style!

First step was to cut out the dolls from white muslin, and embroider the faces. Then, construct the dolls, and stuff them. I made one of the dolls with blue striped stockings, and the other two with white.

(If you wanted to, you could make these dolls using those ready - made cloth dolls at the craft stores.)

Next, stain the dolls to get that primitive look. To do this, I used about a half cup of water, and three tablespoons of instant coffee. This I dabbed onto the dolls with a foam brush. Messy work. You could actually stain the fabric before constructing the doll. I may try this next time.

Out into the Arizona sunshine to dry!

I cut out three pairs of drawers, making one out of red flannel. I cut out three dresses, and three aprons. I knew I wanted on patriotic gal, so she was all red, white and blue!

I sewed the clothing, trying it on the dolls as I went.

The drawers have a draw string waist. One of the dresses ties at the back of the neck, and the other two have a snap there. One thing I did not expect - each girl took on her own personality as we went along. That was such a surprise to me! I only gave one of them yarn hair, and it is tied in the back with a piece of green yarn.

All of the sewing is done, but something more is clearly needed. Well, for certain, one thing needed is buttons.

(You might notice the blue trim I used for a couple of the dresses. That was leftover piping from the wrapper I made, as shown in an earlier post.)

I also wanted to add some little bits, which would add to their personality.

Into the craft room, and there I found a collection of STUFF, which may be appropriate for these girls. I did not use it all. I sort of chose as I went, considering each girl, and her purpose. And the tags you see above were too big for the girls. So, I used smaller white tags, which I tea - dyed over night. To write on the tags I used a pen and ink - the kind of pen you dip into an ink well.

So, this one became The Cook. I was trying to give her a name, but it turns out that she shall just be The Cook. She needed spoons. And, when we did our photo shoot for the blog, she wanted to be either in the kitchen, or out among the herbs in the garden.

This next one is Flossie. She received her name from a family friend from my childhood. She wants to hold flowers, as her name is very like Flora, which is the name of the Roman goddess of flowers . She went outside looking for flowers, but it is still too early in the spring. She will have to wait a while.

And this is Susan. She is named after Susan B. Anthony, of course. She wants to make a statement. Her banner is a piece of tea dyed muslin. To make the letters, I used pen and ink. When I look at her, I call to mind the countless women who fought tirelessly long ago to give me the right to vote.

So here are all the girls. Friendly new faces in my home.