My first Raggedy Ann Doll

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General Chit-Chat (non-knitting talk)

My first Raggedy Ann Doll

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Mar 19, 2013 08:22:37 #

Dusti

She is my first ever sewn doll. At first I was working from McCall's pattern but boy that pattern is definitely NOT for a newbie. Then I switched to the Simplicity pattern which was easier but I see that you STILL have to know some things when you tackle a pattern. I don't think these types of patterns are meant for everybody, certainly not someone who has never sewed before. Anyway, I worked thru it and so here she is. She is 26" tall.
Dusty

Mar 19, 2013 08:24:20 #

weisense

VERY well done!

Mar 19, 2013 08:26:50 #

EllenCrafts

Nice job! Her face looks really good! That's my criteria for a doll. Her face.

Mar 19, 2013 08:28:34 #

Dakota Sun

You did a wonderful job on Raggedy Ann.

Mar 19, 2013 08:31:29 #

NRoberts (a regular here)

I am so impressed that this was your FIRST sewing project. Your doll came out well done and so huggable. Long ago when I sewed I thought Vogue had the most difficult patterns. You are right. You have to bring a lot of knowledge with you to tackle a sewing pattern.

Your wonderful Raggedy Ann doll shows you mastered quite a lot. Now she needs her friend, Raggedy Andy.

Mar 19, 2013 08:40:20 #

susanmos2000

Perfect! I'm envious, I can't even run a sewing machine.

Mar 19, 2013 08:44:07 #

Grannie maggie (a regular here)

She is gorgeous, just love her.

Mar 19, 2013 08:58:40 #

farfa-c

she is beautiful. you did a very goed work !

Mar 19, 2013 09:07:05 #

Dusti

Thank you all! I made her as a kind of test doll to see if I could get her done and fast. I made her because I now do flea market shows (well only did one so far but am planning to step it up) and need to come up with more dolls since all my dolls sold out at the last show I did. I don't want to make knitted dolls (at least NOT for flea market events -doesn't pay)since all I got for my big dolls was 35 dollars each(ouch!!)and they took a looong time to make! That's when I decided I better learn to sew because sewn dolls can be worked up way faster. This first doll took me 3 days to make which is very slow but I had to do a lot of research practically on every step of the way as I worked thru the pattern. THAT was a trip in itself. Almost gave up too, but decided to walk away from it for a bit then went back to it. Thank goodness THAT'S over! Now I can make the doll in a day since I got it all down now. I plan on having about 25 dolls (Raggedy Ann) made in time for the next flea market in July. I am also going to throw in some other dolls as well, just haven't decided which ones yet, But they too will be sewn.
The name of my little flea market shop is TOY SHOP DOLLS. I made the banner for the table too. See pic of that first flea market show.

Mar 19, 2013 09:15:09 #

Deb-Babbles

Great work. Yes, learning to sew is sometimes a pain in the pins. I made Raggedy dolls for my children but added some buttons, zippers, ties and snaps that they could do for them selves. Like a dressy Bessy or Dapper Dan doll. You may want to think about this type of doll too. Kind of old school but great for new parents that want a toy that is a teacher too..

Mar 19, 2013 09:19:04 #

Grammax8 (a regular here)

Your doll is beautiful..congrats on pushing through and completing the project. Glad you sold out at your first show...well done. Hope your future shows will be successful also.

Mar 19, 2013 09:19:58 #

Dusti

Yes, it IS old school but I plan on doing a lot of old school stuff. A lot of seniors come to the flea markets I do and they are the ones doing the buying. We old timers tend to buy what we liked as kids. I am going to make Kewpie dolls and Betty Boop, Sun Bonnet Sue etc. Also I don't want to put anything on Raggedy Ann's pinafore. I want to keep it more to the original design, not the one introduced after Johnny Gruelle's version. He didn't have anything on his doll. See pic below:

Deb-Babbles wrote:

Johnny Gruelle's version - no frills - love it!!

Mar 19, 2013 09:24:46 #

Deb-Babbles

Dusti wrote:

Yes, it IS old school but I plan on doing a lot of... (show quote)

That is great too. I see you have a lot of plans on dolls to make. I agree that the older style was perfect. I love my Raggedy Ann, I still have her. She must be about 50 now. Mine was made by my Nana, she is extra simple and has little hair left. Still she smells of when I was young and I do love to give her a hug now and then.
Good luck at the Markets, I hope you get more for these than your knitted ones. I loved each of the ones you made and was sad to hear you got so little for them.

Mar 19, 2013 09:40:39 #

Dusti

Honestly, I have other things I would rather do. Sewing is not my bag and in fact hurts my back with all that bending over. I enjoy knitting more. I also do a lot of other things. But the economy is forcing me to use up my time fighting to keep craft money (for supplies) in my pockets, otherwise I would be spending more time working on my own designer dolls and also designing my own patterns. But no time for that now!! I will have to be spending most of my time chasing flea markets! Wondering if maybe I should do craft shows instead, people who attend those things are better prepared to pay more.

Mar 19, 2013 09:49:55 #

Sewbizgirl

Great Raggedy Ann! Who wouldn't love her? I hope you do well with your sales. You big Jean Greenhowes should have brought at least $100. Maybe you could put a few in an Etsy shop where they can wait for the right buyer who is willing to pay what they are worth.

I know what you mean about the economy. I am sewing for the least amount of money I have ever earned right now, after all my years of experience! :roll:

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General Chit-Chat (non-knitting talk)