The Many Faces Of Cloth Dolls

By Jaclyn Hurley


Mothers have always tried to provide their children with something to keep them occupied while important chores are being completed. Cloth dolls came into being when man started making his clothing out of woven fabrics. With the leftover pieces of material mothers would stitch together a doll and give it to her child as a companion.

As time passed the fabrics became softer and more expensive. Velvets and silks were used for faces as well as clothing for the dolls. Faces could be painted onto the fabric or embroidered into it. It did not take long before beads and buttons were added to the facial features to give them more human like features.

Because the demand became so high manufacturers began mass production of the rag doll in the 1800s. The patterns were simple and usually were rolled onto a bolt of fabric in ink. They were then cut out, assembled and stuffed. Most factories had crews that would then dress each doll and prepare them for market. Occasionally a doll would be made with real hair sewn to its head instead of simply printed onto the pattern. Hand painted faces were also an option for the completed doll.

Many companies were born because a mother created a doll for her child and friends and relatives pressured her to make the same doll for their children. Some of the creations became so popular they were taken to small studios or factories to be copied and reproduced on a much larger scale. Some of the more iconic models are still in production today.

A new version of doll was created in 1920 in Europe. It was a fabric doll made with a wire frame that allows it to be posed in different ways and used as a decorative piece for the home. These became very popular because of the wide variety of colors, fabrics and designs that were used in making them. They were made of the highest quality materials and advertised as being not for children to play with.

Smaller versions of this type of doll are gaining popularity in today's market. They are being produced by private parties as well as the larger companies and are viewed as images of real life in the extreme. They are dressed in bright colors using feathers and other props and posed in ways that garner instant attention from all who see them.

An antique doll can be a valuable possession and may bring a lot of joy to it's owner. Before embarking on this collection you need to study and gain intimate knowledge of the field. The market for these pieces is wide open and the only way to be sure you are getting a real piece of history is to know the subject matter as well as you can.

The original clothing is a value factor to be aware of. Whether or not a doll has had a makeover and been repainted or the costume has been recreated. And if it has been, were the proper fabrics and stitching used. The list goes on forever. Experts recommend that you take your time and study the subject before you spend your money.




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