Meet Arabella a Victorian rag doll that I actually made many years ago! This one was made for my Mum and I have just rescued her back. I made rather a lot of these in the 1980's. One for each of Fluff's friends on their Birthdays. Quite a few Grandma's when they saw them wanted one too! Each little girl was allowed to choose their dolls name( which I then embroidered onto the pinny) and tell me their favourite colour to make the clothes in and hair colour.
Fluff's doll was called Anna and you can see the posting for her here.
The pattern was in a magazine of the time called "Woman's Weekly "which I still have. The name of the original maker is not mentioned which is a shame. I adapted mine with a different hat pattern and hair styles. Arabella has ringlets.
Linking up to:
Handmade Harbour: Handmade Monday.
Gotta love Arabella, she's perfect and such a relief you have rescued her...she's a family heirloom now :) Donna ♥ x
ReplyDeleteArabella is such a sweetie Mrs A ! Good job you rescued her ! Hugs, blessings and love from Catherine
ReplyDeleteYour Arrabella is gorgeous, Mrs. A....just as Faye's Anna (I already told you in 2010...wow)...so sorry I was not one of Faye's friends for that birthday!
ReplyDeletexxx Margreet
What a fab Mummy you are! Wish I'd been one of Faye's friends back then! Having just paid a late visit to Fayeworld, I see that you celebrated a birthday recently. I hope it was delightful! Hugs, Lesley
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful rag doll.Thank you for sharing. Ah womans weekly, what a mag that was!!
ReplyDeleteOh they do not make them lie they used to! She is just fab.
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs A, Your talent really does shine through all your creations and this is just absolutely gorgeous they must of kept you busy in your day truly stunning work:)xx
ReplyDeleteShe is lovely and holds her age well. lol. I have a couple too, one has purple hair so we called her Purple Patty. You are invoking memories now.
ReplyDeleteI knew that was Arabella when I saw the pic in dashboard. xxx
ReplyDeleteArabella is gorgeous! such a pretty and hugable dolly :)
ReplyDeleteOh she is so sweet...thank you for letting me know that you posted about her:)
ReplyDeleteShe is lovely - love the expression she has too. (I remember the Woman's Weekly!) Mich x
ReplyDeleteRag dolls are so sweet and sadly forgotten over time, not sure why. Arabelle is so sweet
ReplyDeleteShe's a very cute rag doll. I remember my mum making one for me when i was little - your blog post brought all the memories back!
ReplyDeleteArabella is lovely and I wish that 30 years on, I looked as good. Certainly brings lovely reminders of when I was growing up. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteArabella is brilliant - you are so talented. thank you so much for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteluv
irene
xxxx
She's lovely and has certainly stood the test of time - love the button eyes! x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant that she has stood the test of time! You will have to do a tutorial on how to make our own Arabella! X
ReplyDeleteArabella is gorgeous, Mrs. A! I've tried doll making in another life but their faces would give children nightmares. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Arabella looks lovely. It's good to see that she is still in great condition even after all this time.
ReplyDeleteOh wow she is absolutely gorgeous, I would have loved one of these and to make it personal as well is just the cherry on top. Hugs, Amanda x
ReplyDeleteYou ceratinly have a great talent there. She is stunning. Clever you!
ReplyDeletexxx
Hugs to you and Arabella, who is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're back together again!
The 'Womans Weekly' was a regular magazine delivered by the paper boy every week. Your doll is lovely, well done on the rescue. :o)
ReplyDeleteJan x