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

This does not have anything to do with hand made dolls- But for those who are interested, you should check out American Girl dolls. They are pricy, but very well made, and you can get them in any color/feature combination. You pick features, skin shade, eye color, hair, etc. We just bought a baby doll for our granddaughter who will turn 5 this year. But my daughter still has her American Girl doll from 15 years ago.

Someone on here was making dolls in several nationalaties. I believe it might have been Jerri.

How about a simple one like this? I hope the link works ok!



http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5492376_ma...gedy-doll.html

Karen xx

Make the Camel with Wrinkled Knees. I collect all things Raggedy and he is precious. Also, you have to buy the licensed patterns, they are very strict.

I have granddaughters of several different colors. They are pretty much color blind. They have white dolls, brown dolls and black dolls. Their favorite depends on the day but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what color they are.

Check out the MAPLEA Dolls... they are from Canada but one (Alexi) has an East Indian Background. They are beautiful dolls that embrace the cultural or regional heritages. Check them out at http://www.maplelea.com/meet_girls_home.php

Just to Clarify this is for a little girl who was just born on the 1st. :)

So she is only 3 days old. Just looking at getting something soft and cuddly. ;)

But the other dolls are great ideas for when she gets older.

Can you draw or know someone who can? All you need to do is draw a pretty raggedy ann face like your link shows and make the rest of the body from a regular raggedy ann pattern. It's easy! I think I have some old raggedy ann (and I mean old!) patterns. The face can be painted on with fabric paints or embroidered on.

Hijack here ~ SCARY Raggedy Ann.........cracked me UP! I always thought she was creepy looking :)

wow, have fun and please post a picture of what you create!

how old is the baby?

Since the baby is that little, it wont care now, but I think the parents would probaly save it as a keepsake...I think one that is "like" her in the coloring would be so neat...maybe just more special! But, like I said, a regular one will probaly be just as loved!

I just picked up Simplicity 2387 which is a really cute raggedy. For the ethnic look, you could always choose a darker body fabric.

I have raggedies of varied colors. I have a set of black raggedies, and several with different colored hair (yellow, brown, pink, black) Variety is the spice of life and what I love about these dolls is the non-traditional way that they are traditional. Does that make sense?

What is your first thought about the doll? Sometimes going with your gut feeling is best.

simplicity pattern#9447

Since she is a "traditional" doll, always thought of as being "white", I would make her like the story book character. When the baby is older and notices the difference, make another doll that looks more like her. My grandkids have dolls of all ethnic backgrounds, they are all of mixed heritage.

I honestly think Raggedy Ann dolls are creepy looking! I would make anything soft and cuddly- but not Ann :D
And I don't think color matters but that's just me.
I'm so happy for the new parents- that must be so exciting after such a long wait!!

You might also if you have the time that is to make her doll a quilt to match hers. Just a through to add to your work. LOL

I make dolls. Just give me a little time and I will find the right cute raggety for you. Also, You might want to purchase some doll fabric for the body in a tan color...those look real nice..a light tan...

ok...

http://dollmakersjourney.com/opatterns.html

Maureen Mills make nice raggety and she is on the front page..

They are so cute Rosy....I loved the 'We R Family' ones!

Karem xx

Don't make one like mine!!!!!


http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...53272053pXCySi

Oooooh....Scary! lol x

Karen xx

Lol Karen...it was an attempt to give her a prim look but it went a different direction so I just went with it! My sister loves her so she's in a happy home at least!

As long as she's loved...thats all that matters! My kids had lop eared teddy bears and cross eyed lambs...and loved them all!

Karen xx