I went through my boxes of magazine articles with toy patterns that I have saved since 1962 Most are designed by Joan Russell. Year after year this woman came up with new designs for Women's Day issues that were published before Christmas. Some of the patterns were published in the Women's Day Book of Soft Dolls and Toys. Google searches for Joan Russell seldom show more than this book which is out of publication.
When the book came out I couldn't justify the expense since I had the miniature patterns from the magazines. I finally bought it recently. There are many sets of dolls and toys that I never saw and missed. Also the book doesn't include everything. I wish it had more color photos. I was very surprised that it did not include the Annie doll. I've shown photos of it below.
Two of the dolls shown in the photos came from Better Homes and Gardens. They are the ones on a bed and with Santa. I have copies of some vintage doll patterns that may be used.
I have to wonder if Women's Day ever or wrote about Joan Russell. I was surprised when I looked at all these patterns to see how many I had made! When my oldest daughter was 3 years old I made an Amy doll for her with T shirt, panties that matched the ones I made for her, socks, suede shoes and calico dress. I've made her stuffed animal patterns for gifts through the years. I once taught a mother and daughter doll making class for Hmong women. They embroidered the faces with chain stitches, like they use in their embroidered murals.
This time around, I would have to figure out if I could make a doll that would sell for enough money to make it worthwhile for me. I need to figure out some quicker methods of doing faces and hair. I will be experimenting with the Lumiere paint for painting on the face, to see how washable it is. I found directions for it's use right on the bottle. I would also like to make a few dolls for charity.
I found the leftover dyed muslin I used in the mid 90's for dolls. I guess I didn't need to buy so much at Joann Fabrics! I found the fancy eyelash type yarn I wanted right in my stash of craft supplies. I found left over legs , arms and parts of simple dresses. I thought you might get a chuckle out of them.
I did a search on ebay and etsy for handmade dolls. I found that the attractive ones sold for quite a bit. Other dolls were just plain ugly! The faces were not attractive and the features were overdone. I did like the looks of the Waldorf doll, I think it was called, that was done with knit fabric. A web site showed the knit fabric costing $30 some dollars a wide yard and being out of at least some of it.
Cheers to Joan Russell toy and doll designer! We shall see what I come up with and finish!
When the book came out I couldn't justify the expense since I had the miniature patterns from the magazines. I finally bought it recently. There are many sets of dolls and toys that I never saw and missed. Also the book doesn't include everything. I wish it had more color photos. I was very surprised that it did not include the Annie doll. I've shown photos of it below.
Two of the dolls shown in the photos came from Better Homes and Gardens. They are the ones on a bed and with Santa. I have copies of some vintage doll patterns that may be used.
I have to wonder if Women's Day ever or wrote about Joan Russell. I was surprised when I looked at all these patterns to see how many I had made! When my oldest daughter was 3 years old I made an Amy doll for her with T shirt, panties that matched the ones I made for her, socks, suede shoes and calico dress. I've made her stuffed animal patterns for gifts through the years. I once taught a mother and daughter doll making class for Hmong women. They embroidered the faces with chain stitches, like they use in their embroidered murals.
This time around, I would have to figure out if I could make a doll that would sell for enough money to make it worthwhile for me. I need to figure out some quicker methods of doing faces and hair. I will be experimenting with the Lumiere paint for painting on the face, to see how washable it is. I found directions for it's use right on the bottle. I would also like to make a few dolls for charity.
I found the leftover dyed muslin I used in the mid 90's for dolls. I guess I didn't need to buy so much at Joann Fabrics! I found the fancy eyelash type yarn I wanted right in my stash of craft supplies. I found left over legs , arms and parts of simple dresses. I thought you might get a chuckle out of them.
Cheers to Joan Russell toy and doll designer! We shall see what I come up with and finish!
I was only 10 years old when some of those patterns were published. Like you I've tried to collect them as I could find them but there are so few available. Yes, I have the book, but I want more. Like you I've always wondered about Joan Russell, who she was, what she did besides designing dolls, and just how many dolls she designed. Considering that so many people collect her patterns, it's a wonder no one did a write up on her. kyttenfish51@aol.com
ReplyDeleteGee, I was just doing a little search for Joan Russell, as I occassionally do, and turned this up. I'm her youngest child, Amy, and I must say that it is a bit odd to know there are little stuffed dopplegangers of me out there! :)
DeleteI am so glad that her work lives on and is so appreciated. She did more work designing dolls and toys, particularly of a very cute gnome series, after the publication of the book. She spent much of the rest of her time as a Brownie scout leader and crafts teacher, and also was a great presence and influence in our suburban New Jersey neighborhood.
She rode a bicycle, frequently with a kid perched on the back. She practiced organic gardening way before it was popular, and worked to enhance and preserve wild spaces and the environment. She was a pretty awesome mother, though I am a bit biased about that. However I think my siblings, neighbors and others who knew her would agree. Unfortunately, she herself died of breast cancer in 1984.
Gee, I was just doing a little search for Joan Russell, as I occassionally do, and turned this up. I'm her youngest child, Amy, and I must say that it is a bit odd to know there are little stuffed dopplegangers of me out there! :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that her work lives on and is so appreciated. She did more work designing dolls and toys, particularly of a very cute gnome series, after the publication of the book. She spent much of the rest of her time as a Brownie scout leader and crafts teacher, and also was a great presence and influence in our suburban New Jersey neighborhood.
She rode a bicycle, frequently with a kid perched on the back. She practiced organic gardening way before it was popular, and worked to enhance and preserve wild spaces and the environment. She was a pretty awesome mother, though I am a bit biased about that. However I think my siblings, neighbors and others who knew her would agree. Unfortunately, she herself died of breast cancer in 1984.
THE REAL AMY!!! I can't believe it! I'm 50, and my mom made Amy for me. I LOVED her, saved her, and now my 6 year old plays with her. I take the old patterns and make her new clothes from time to time. It's so nice to know that they were created by such a lovely woman. Her work and your likeness lives on in the lives of so many mothers and daughters. ��
ReplyDelete