Christmas Doll

The most thrilling Christmas present I ever received was a beautiful doll, given to me at age 5, made by hand by my mother. This doll was sewed with cloth, with yarn hair and button eyes. But best of all, she came with numerous dresses, each with ribbon and lace trim, tiny buttons and snaps all made with beautiful patterned fabrics. Not only this, but she came with petticoats to go under the dresses, and pinafores to go over the dresses, which created a very satisfying fatness to her clothes. And even these items were trimmed with lace, ribbons and tiny snaps. AND she had a nightgown with red polka dots, pantaloons, bonnets and little felt shoes.

Somehow I lost her at some point (after adoring her for many years) and I can't remember where she went! This began to really bother me, so I searched until I found a pattern for the doll. It turns out it was made from a Holly Hobby doll pattern. I followed the pattern, except that I added some details such as embroidering her face and stitching fingers on her hands. The first outfit I made for her followed the pattern, a dress, petticoat and pantaloon set with felt shoes with buttons. The second outfit I made up myself, a red sweater with pocket, an orange skirt with bead embroidery, socks, and a tiny bead knitted bag.

I named her Hatty, after one of my favourite children's-stories heroines from Tom's Midnight Garden. Merry Christmas to everyone, and I wish you a warm and wonderful New Year!