I Love My Raggedy collection

My true passion for Raggedy Ann and Andy began in the early 1990's. While browsing through an aged store, I came across a McCall's dress pattern for the dolls and their clothes. The pattern was from the 1940's and had never been used. The pictures on the front of the envelope depicting the fulfilled, dolls were entirely separate from today's Ann and Andy. Their look was surely antique. It intrigued me to see how they started and how they evolved over the years. I decided then and there I would make Raggedy Ann and Andy for my new granddaughter.

After choosing fabrics suitable for the aged pattern, I began my project. As I progressed through the sewing, stuffing and dressmaking, it was time to begin the stitching of the faces and adding the yarn hair. Slowly, but surely, each doll took on a life of its own. Their faces seemed to look back at me in appreciation for bringing them to life. I was so proud of the fulfilled, product I entered them in a local doll show. Much to my surprise, they won 2nd place ribbons over all. I was delighted with my newly acquired talent. My intent to give the dolls to my granddaughter was quelled when an avid accumulator insisted I sell them to her for her collection. This was quite an honor, so I relinquished my prized pair to the delight of the collector. After all, I could make more dolls for my granddaughter.

Baby Girls Clothing Sets

I had unwittingly created a new work when I bought the aged pattern. My life and home became consumed with Raggedys. I was cutting, sewing, stuffing and stitching every waking moment. My variety of Ann and Andy dolls became known as "My Raggedy Collection". I entered them in every show that took place. With each new show came heartwarming stories from people as they shared their Raggedy Ann and Andy life experiences with me. Some of the stories were heart wrenching as well as heartwarming.

I Love My Raggedy collection

One day a woman came to me as I was setting up my display booth for a show, carrying a tattered Raggedy Ann with no clothes. Most of her hair was missing. It seems Ann had been her daughter's favorite companion throughout a concluding illness. The daughter had died and the doll was now all the woman had left to remember her by. She asked if I could make clothes for her and maybe fix her hair. She offered to pay me and said all she wanted was to have Ann fixed up so she could remember the joy she had brought to her daughter during her long illness. It never crossed my mind that I would be asked to rebuild a memory for someone. I appropriate her invite praying I would be able to make Ann whole again. A few weeks later the woman came to pick up her daughter's costly Ann. I had dressed her in sharp new clothes and sewn on her missing hair. The woman was so excited to see her all in one piece and told me she would never forget me for helping to keep her daughter's memory alive.

Another day an impeccably dressed gentleman, who was carrying an unclothed Raggedy Ann with the stuffing bulging out of her torn body, approached my booth. I could see he was very timid as he stood staring at the dolls on display. When I asked if I could help him, he held out the torn Raggedy Ann and told me it had been given to his daughter when she was born. She had kept it and loved it so much it was roughly too far gone to save. He shared with me how his daughter would soon be having her first baby, a girl, and he dearly wanted to be able to give this Raggedy Ann to his first grandchild. He asked if there was any hope in restoring the doll. As he held out his wallet, he told me he would pay me any number if I could only fix her. I knew from her condition, it would be a difficult challenge, but I told him I would do my best.

I searched and found the exquisite fabric to make Ann's dress, panties and apron. I was able to stuff her with new insides and stitch her so she looked good as new. When I called the gentleman 3 weeks later, he of course cried when he saw her. He said he had given up before bringing her to me thinking there was no hope. As I handed her to him he smiled and said he couldn't wait to give her to his new granddaughter.

These and many more heartwarming stories became an important part of my life as I continued to sew and show My Raggedy Collection. I never imagined what an impact a easy rag doll could have on my life. My personal variety has grown over the years so I need a isolate room in my house to display it. It makes me feel good when I am surrounded by something so loving as these two rag doll characters. Their story and the love they have brought to so many will of course outlast all of us.

Recently I read an record in the newspaper by Joni Gruelle Wannamaker, granddaughter of Raggedy Ann and Andy originator Johnny Gruelle. In it she shared how Raggedy Ann was included in the National Toy Hall of Fame 5 years ago. But her brother Andy was left out. There is now a plan in operation that will help reunite them.

I Love My Raggedy collection

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