Saturday, February 28, 2015

Hazel Erma Jane Butternut

 As I finished up this dolly, I decided to call her Hazel
 after a long time friend of my mother.  This doll
 reminds me of this good-natured, soft spoken lady. 
When I was a young girl Hazel's elderly 
parents were our neighbors.  Her daddy was
 a kind, easy goin' old fella.  He spent lots of time
 puttering around in his shed or working in the
 garden.  He always had a peppermint in his pocket
to pass through the fence.  Hazel is the spittin'
image of her daddy.

 On the other hand, her mother's personality
leaned a little toward the ill-tempered side.  I
recall being on my very best behavior when I
crossed her path.  Even as a child, it was
easy to see Hazel was partial to her daddy.
 I didn't know Hazel's middle name.
It was time for one of our little chats, so I
decided to call and ask.
 
  She could barely contain her giggling as she told me
the story of how she got 2 middle names.  When Hazel
was born, her mother wanted to name her Erma Jane, but
her daddy was dead set on the name Hazel.

 Apparently, this debate over her naming went on
for some time, with neither her mother nor her daddy
willing to budge.  Poor little newborn needed a name
for her birth certificate, so in the end, they agreed to call
her Hazel Erma Jane.

Hazel's parents have both "passed on"
as the old timers say.  When Hazel was going
through some of her daddy's papers she'd found
in their attic, she came upon an old class photo
she'd never seen before.

On the back written in her daddy's hand was this,
 "I am on the fourth row, second from the left,
sitting by my girlfriend, Hazel."
Hazel is a petite 15 1/2 inches tall.
She and her clothing are hand sewn.
Flannel cape, bonnet & vintage maple basket.
I lined the bonnet with sheer cotton.
Her cape is very plain & simple. I
used a black glass button.
This reproduction flannel is the same
front and back.  I just cut out a simple shape.
Basted the edge all the way around.
I used my peel and stick tape as a guide
to make even button hole stitches with  3
strands of embroidery thread.
Button hole loop closure.
Hazel Erma Jane Butternut,
named after her daddy's ole' girlfriend!
 Thank you Hazel for your delightful little story.
Happy Sewing!

9 comments:

  1. There's so much to love about this doll... Everything! Hazel is, in my opinion, the perfect size, and her hair is styled so smartly. Her cape is simply gorgeous and just perfect for the cold winter winds here in the Ozarks. I love dolls that have a story to tell. I would guess that you must have pulled your chair up close to the fire to sew the clothes for this wonderful doll.

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  2. What a precious doll and story! I've given some of my dolls the names of my mother's sisters. Current popular names just don't fit these types of dolls. The clothes are wonderful too!

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  3. This is a very fine doll. Her clothes are just wonderful. Very elegant cape and bonnet. She sure won't get cold in that. I enjoyed her story so much. Hazel was my grandmothers name.

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  4. What a delightful story about Hazel. Your doll is precious....the hair, the clothing, the bonnet, everything.

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  5. Love the story. I do wonder how many of us are named for someone from our parents past! What marvelous clothing you have made for Hazel Erma Jane! The cape is fantastic - warm and soft. Isn't it amazing what we get our inspiration from. I love hearing other peoples stories.

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  6. I love the story and the detail with which you enrich your dolls...that detail is my favorite aspect of my Butternut family member. :~)

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  7. Hi Sherri, I have been on your site now for Hour and Half..It is just the best! You share with your heart.Your a amazing VERY talented seamstress to perfection. Your Dolls speak to ones heart. They are awesome! Your tutorials are in depth beyond words, I love them!! I feel like I am sitting with you and watching and listening, I such a visual person, I am going to blog about your today..I want you to know you are soo very appreciated! Hugs Sherrie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you kindly Sherrie. I'm glad you enjoy the tutorials. It's sure nice to be appreciated!

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  8. Just found you. Love your work

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