Hey there....well I'm going out on a limb here. I'm going to step away from quilting and attempt to make a doll. *YIKES*

My friends just got the call yesterday that they are parents!! After being on the list to adopt for 2 years there are picking up their baby girl today.

Anyway I already have the quilt going, but thought I would make a Raggedy Ann doll to go with it.

So here's the thing, I wanted a CUTE Raggedy to go with it....I know I know...there are TONS of patterns, but some of them are just down right SCARY looking. :) While I realize I will not be able to make one like THIS ( http://www.rjohnwright.com/raggedy.html ) I would like something along those lines, sweet and cute looking.

I realize it's a toy and won't stay this way....however I at lease want to present it all cute looking.

Now this brings me to a NEW question. The new baby is African-American / Hispanic. So do you think I should make a doll that is similar to her - or keep it a straight Raggedy? I really don't think my friends would care either way. And it makes no difference to me really...but thought I would put it out there.

I guess if I gifted a Raggedy book WITH the doll I would just make a regular Raggedy - because then I'm making the story book character....perhaps I will go that route.

Let me know if you know of a good pattern, etc. And again I can never say this enough....THANKS to everyone for their comments. You guys & gals are the BEST when it comes to bouncing ideas and getting advice!! :)

I do not know a pattern,, however,, I have 3 children,, my ex husband is from pakistan,, and my girls are starting to want to know why all the babies are blonde with blue eys,, as they are brown eyes with brown hair,and brown skin,, so,, for my opinion,,, I would go with her coloring,, I hope this helps,,, and maybe as a cute side gift,,make an extra outfit,,, :-D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-48197-1.htm#1118333 my children,,, as uc an see,, not like the normal baby dolls,,, lol....

That's why I like Cabbage Patch dolls - they actually make more than black and white - we have a Korean grand-daughter and actually found Asian Cabbage Patch dolls - needless to say, we bought several (and haven't seen anymore around here either). We also found another Asian doll in some obscure toy store - don't even remember where) Our grandson is Latino but he wouldn't want a doll of any kind LOL (yes, these two are both adopted)
My brother married a woman from Taiwan and they had two children - and the only dolls around were black and white - I don't know if Cara ever did get an Asian doll.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is - yes, it IS a good idea to make one with darker skin...
Even little tiny kids recognize the dolls as 'being like them'..

beautiful kids but they don't look all that different to me - maybe it's because YOU have blue eyes LOL

I think definitly one that represents her African American/Hispanic heritage. At Christmas when we give toys for tots, we alway try to include ethnic dolls. So little children get dolls that represent who they are.

Why do most dolls have to be white. The mfgs are getting better thank goodness.

Michael, have you done a search on the board. Their have been quite a few dolls on the board.

they are starting to see alot of the toys are mostly white with blonde hair and blue eyes,, and my oldest wanted to knwo why there was not any like her,, I said because hs eis different,, and I explained the supply n demand theroy to her,, she said,, okie dokie,,

you might look for some Cabbage Patch dolls if they aren't already past that stage.

http://www.kattisdolls.net/faces/bethnic.htm

even Barbie dolls..

I just used a basic doll pattern that I found on a bag of polly stuffing and did the whole yarn hair thing. I did the clothing out of fleece because you don't have to hem it or any thing, and you can just make little slits for the button holes. I did adjust the clothing pattern to make it look less sack like.

Also, as a mom of two daughters, their dolls always looked like them. Good luck. I'm sure that whatever you come up with will be loved. :D

I am looking up patterns and found this site .. http://cynthiasprimitives.com/ Show ethnic dolls of raggedy country dolls .. etc