Design 7339 - 32" Baseball Head Boy doll pattern

This mail order pattern came in its original Alice Brooks envelope. There is no copyright date on the pattern, or postmark date on the envelope, but the zip code used in the address indicates it was mailed sometime after zip codes were introduced in the mid-sixties. This is a transfer pattern; unfortunately the ink from the transfer has bled through to other sections where the pattern was folded.

The pattern makes a baseball-head style boy doll, 32" tall, with embroidered features and "straw yarn" for hair and eyelashes. Because of the large size of the doll, two entire sheets are required for all of his body parts to fit. No clothing pattern is provided; instructions call for "discarded or outgrown" size 2 clothes for him to wear.

He is a cute boy with freckles and applied ears. His hands have separated fingers with the exception of the third and fourth fingers which are joined together. The eyelashes are another unusual touch. The maker is instructed to stiffen them with clear nail polish, if desired. Depending on the stuffing used, this doll may be very heavy. A large upholstery or mattress needle is recommended, with heavy string or rug cotton, to join his arms and legs to his body.

There are many patterns to make both a boy and girl doll, but very few that make just a boy by himself. Of course, a pattern for a girl in this size was also available.



Design 7083 - Doll Toaster Cover

I got this pattern in its original Alice Brooks envelope, ordered from the Hartford Courant, with a postmark date of 1961. It makes a doll toaster cover with the doll's head, torso and arms on a cardboard base that sits on the toaster, which is covered by her skirt.

The doll part of the pattern is a transfer; the pattern for her outfit is meant to be cut out and used as a tissue paper pattern. She has a very exotic-looking face with features that may be embroidered, painted or drawn with crayons(?). She will be about 7" from her waist to the top of her head. The instructions call for "straw yarn" for her hair. She is made with separated pancake construction and has mitten hands.

This pattern, with the same illustration, was also sold as #7073. I'm not sure if the pattern pieces are different at all; but the instructions are a little more detailed and the pattern is called a "Multi-Stamp Transfer Pattern."

I was amazed in researching this pattern to see how many different doll toaster cover patterns were produced. It must have been a fad at one time.






Made to be Loved - 6 dolls with outfits 1955




This pattern is copyright 1955 by the Educational Bureau of Coats and Clark, makers of thread and sewing notions. It consists of a 22" x 17" sheet, printed on both sides and folded in quarters, which has the instructions and clothing patterns; and an 11" x 17" sheet which has the body patterns.

This pattern was apparently made for school use - it indicates that a teacher's file copy is available free upon request, and the pattern leaflets are 5 cents each or 25 for a dollar. The description on the cover reads, "Take your choice from this most adorable of sextets and see what Mother's scrapbag will yield for his, her, or their outfits."

The dolls make up at 14" tall and are separated pancake style. The neck is sewn to the back of the head to give the doll a chin. They have mitten hands, embroidered features and yarn hair. All six dolls are made from the same pattern. The maker has a choice of three different faces to embroider, with three different girls' hairstyles, and one boys' hairstyle.

This pattern has very detailed instructions with lots of clear illustrations - excellent for a beginner. The clothing patterns include underwear, two hats, and shoes to be made from felt. Socks are to be purchased. All outfits are made to be removable.

Betty Ann, pictured below, was made by Caroline Snow of Warner, NH in 1966. She is one of my favorite dolls.