Pity & Prudence Butternut

My little hands have been
 very busy sewing a couple of
"Butternut" dolls that are
 reminiscent of the earlier
 American cloth dolls. 

 

Pity is a simple Prairie or Pioneer doll.
  One look at her and she brings to
mind the covered wagon, the sod home on
the prairie, the log cabin in the woods &
 the adventurous American pioneer.
In my opinion this style doll is
truly the all Americn cloth doll.

 

Here she is next to a doll body that has not

been aged. Pity & Prudence were tea dyed
 and then over dyed with a solution made
 from crushed walnut shells.  This dye can
 be sprayed from a bottle or daubed on
with a cloth to achieve the desired effect.
Their clothing & bonnets were aged this same
way.  It is a natural dye, acid free & non toxic.

Poor "pitiful" dolly, her head is too big, her hands
are too fat, her legs too short & her body
is a bit stumpy.......hence her name!   However,
 those are the features that give the "make do"
 Pioneer doll such charm!

 Pity may be a simple style

Prairie doll but she needs a full
wardrobe!

Her underpinnings are sewn from muslin.

Her petticoat is lace edged and has a

hook & eye closure.

The pantalettes & short chemise have

tie closures.

 He dress is a wonderful deep blue and

rusty brown reproduction cotton fabric. 

The collar is lace edged; a lone

antique wooden 2 hole button with a
beautiful patina is sewn on the
front.  Hook & eye closures.

 Her brown calico Poke bonnet has button

 hole stitching around the brim.  Her apron is

linen.

 Pity and all her clothing are hand sewn
and aged for that well loved look.

I am fascinated by the early American

 cloth doll that is home made.

 It seems to me the earlier the doll the

 more highly detailed they are made.  Doll

 hair is painted, made from wool, fur and even

human hair is used.  Faces can be finely

 painted, drawn or embroidered. 

 Bodies are made from cotton, leather, linen

and stuffed with a variety of things.  The

clothing is detailed and reflects the

style of the day.  The majority of dolls are

 dressed to represent adults not

children or babies. 

Each is unique, made from no pattern,

and one of a kind....

Prudence is fashioned after that

type of early cloth doll.

 

  Her body is more proportionate.  Her arms
are slightly curved, her legs have stockings
 and shoes.  She has a simple embroidered face,
but detailed hair.  All elements I have
seen in early dolls.

Prudence wardrobe includes

a dress, petticoat, pantalettes,
and a straw Spoon bonnet.

Her underpinnings are sewn from cotton &

are edged with lace. 

 

 Her reproduction cotton plum print dress has a
 tiny lace edged collar & hook and eye closures.

 

 Her wool hair is plaited, and fashioned

into a small high bun.

 

I have hand stitched Prudence a spoon

 bonnet from fine Milan straw embellished

 with a vintage milliners ribbon.

 (1930's old store stock)

Prudence comes with a primitive

buttocks basket, handmade

by my good friend Teresa especially

for my dolls.

Prudence, her clothing & bonnet

are stitched by hand and aged for

that well loved look.

 Pity and Prudence will be available at

Early Work Mercantile May 1st.

Please stop by and see all the wonderful

early American offerings!