black hard plastic

this English black pedigree doll (another Trademe find) is the latest to join my collection of vintage dolls. She's 16 inches tall and is still dressed in her original outfit and shoes. I am intrigued by her face and I wonder what her story is?

more 1950s hard plastic

Recently I posted here about how it was an enjoyable pastime in the 1950s  for home sewers and crafters to make doll clothes from the many knitting and sewing patterns available. This is very true of the 1950s NZ hard plastic doll that I blogged about here (she's the doll on the right in the photo above). I finally got her repaired (she had multiple seam splits to her head and body and a crack on her behind, no lashes, no lip paint and definitely bad hair). She's all fixed now thanks to the good folk at the Auckland Doll Hospital.

She came with her own wardrobe made up of her original bridal outfit (needs a napisan clean), an original Pedigree cotton dress and the four handmade dresses shown in both photos. My favourite is the blue floral dress in a knit fabric which is exquisitely sewn with real tiny pockets and ribbon ties - a lot of love in every stitch! 

The blonde doll on the left of the photo is a recent Trademe find. She had been abandoned at the first Auckland Doll Hospital in K Rd, then she went on to a new home where she mostly lived in storage for 35 years and now here where she's at home on Miss 5s bed.

vintage black plastic

Mandy Lou (England), Chatty Cathy (standing), Mandy Lou (NZ) 

Onsie - front view

 

Onsie - back view

During a recent sewing room tidy up, I rediscovered these 1950s vintage black plastic Pedigree dolls (pictured above with Chatty Cathy). Since they came to live with me (must be about 3-4 years) I haven't sewn them any new clothing.

In the Fifties, it would have been a favourite pastime for mothers, aunts and grandmothers to make doll clothes from the many knitting and sewing patterns available. This is very true of the 1950s NZ hard plastic doll that I bought a few years back. The doll was in a bad state with a ragged wig, cracks to her head and face whilst her body was in good shape. It was sold complete with some lovely handmade clothing ranging from dainty 1950s florals right through to 1960s retro brights. It was obvious that someone had put a lot of love, time and effort to making the clothes.

So in keeping with that tradition, first off the sewing machine is my version of the onesie (pictured above).  Then next up, I'm making them both a typical 1950s styled school dress with the peter pan collar and gathered skirt and some extra dresses in a bright yellow or red.