OK I am working on another idea of something to sell and give as gifts. The new item is a Church Dolls aka prayer dolls aka baptism dolls aka plantation doll (I have found lots of names for these little dolls). They originally were made from men's handkerchiefs, then again, I have read they are made from "grandma's hanky", which make me suspicious of the true history of the doll.
Their purpose though is always the same. A simple doll for little girls to play with in church, 0r anywhere else, that you want to keep the child quietly occupied. Above are modern examples of the dolls, I have yet to find a picture of one from the colonial days when they supposedly originated. Another reason why I am suspicious of it's history.
Below is my prototype. Please disregard the wrinkles and unfinished edges, when making this I was more concerned about getting the design correct. Tell me if it looks too creepy. I wanted to use smaller black buttons for the eyes, but I didn't have any on hand. Also I am going to sew the bonnet higher on the head so there will not be such a gap. Thankfully my daughter recognized it as a doll.
I look forward to get every one's input.
6 comments:
It's funny but it wasn't until I saw the little knot hands that I realized I knew what you were talking about, heh!
The eyes are a bit off, yes, but I think it is a great first effort! Are you going to do all smiles, or some sleeping,that kind of thing?
I think I figured out why the eyes bug me - the little thread Xs from attaching the buttons are like the little "dead thing" Xs for eyes on cartoons. But that is probably just me.
You are right, the eyes do look like "dead" eyes :) In person it doesn't look AS obvious...another reason to go with black or even different colored buttons.
I was thinking all smiles, how would I do a sleeping mouth?
Nope, not just you. My first thought was that the eyes were creepy. Other than that, they are cute, though.
Have you considered using something other than buttons for eyes? Or is that an integral part of the design? Maybe you could even embroider the eyes somehow? Dunno..Just thinking while I type.
Maybe a little "o" mouth and embroidered eyelids for a sleepy one? That would also be good for kids too little to be trusted with button eyes...
I worked with some kits from a historic game and toy company to make these for a museum. The pattern just called for fabric, thread and cotton - no buttons at all (I guess the theory being buttons would make noise if the girl playing with one dropped it in church). The eyes were little eye-shaped-ish bits of embroidery.
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