Welcome to My Red Cape. Long ago in another time my husband Jack and I lived in a little old red house. It was the stuff of dreams to us for the few years that we were there. I live there still a number of hours every day in imagination, with old dolls and paintings and fabrics and feather trees. I draw inspiration and happiness from the memories of that space in time and share some of it here with friends who remember how to step with Alice through the looking glass and take delight in whimsies and antiquities. ~Edyth O’Neill

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Rachael's lovely hand sewing for my dolls

Here is the dear early girl I bought last week on line, in appalling condition but too interesting to pass up.  I have collected over 60 years and have only seen this head style four times I believe and one of  those may have been the same doll, so perhaps just three times. Her hand sewn cotton twill body appears original except one replaced arm.  I fashioned an under dress for her out of an old one thin as gauze and with shredded sleeves which I hemmed away.  I will find or make drawers by and by.
She is now in a Rachael Kinnison dress and has some of my beads draped over her shoulders until I can get some for her.



I have seen her with glass eyes as well as painted.  A glass eyed example was in the Merritt Museum.  Can anyone else add something about this head mold? 


I love all dolls with the simple covered wagon hairstyle.  I believe this one may date in the 1840's.

Another uncommon papier mache is this Motschmann type with a great snood hair style. I would date her about 1860.  There is no residue or sign she was ever waxed though many of this style were. This  doll also wears a dress made by Rachael.  Although she has a snubbed nose and other wear, I have chosen to leave her as she is.




Please comment, I read every one. e




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