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History
Dolls have been found in the ruins of ancient civilizations, and were constructed of wood or clay. Cloth dolls emerged as a popular children's toy in the mid 19th century in the U.S. and Europe. In the 1840s, American doll-maker Izannah Walker was one of the first to make cloth dolls with a folk arts style, and she patented her process in 1873. Perhaps the most famous cloth dolls are the Raggedy Ann dolls, created in 1910 by John Gruelle. Edith Flack Ackley rag dolls were all the rage in the 1930s, and her book, "Dolls to Make for Fun and Profit," which is full of cloth doll patterns, is still read today. In 1976, the Cabbage Patch doll was "born," a creation of Xavier Roberts of Cleveland, Georgia. The original dolls had nylon stocking faces, arms and legs. In mass production these were replaced with plastic, but both forms are sold today.
Construction
Cloth dolls are made of fabric, obviously, and are usually stuffed with wads of cotton or polyester fiberfill used for pillows. Their features can be sewn on, using buttons for eyes, yarn for mouths, eyebrows and eyelashes. A technique of Izannah Walker's involved gluing together several layers of fabric, which were then shaped by dies. This was followed by final layers of stockinette and paint. Some "baby" cloth dolls have almost no facial features at all.
The material for the body can be made of any washable fabric, because if a child is playing and sleeping with it, you'll want to be able to wash it once in awhile. A cloth doll's shoes, skirts, pants and belts can be sewn as separate pieces of removable clothing, or created as permanent structures on the doll's body.
Types
Sock monkeys are a traditional American stuffed toy made from Rockford Red Heel socks; these are also a type of cloth doll. Amish dolls are a traditional design that excludes facial features. Original design Cabbage Patch kids are still available, which are made completely of cloth, quite expensive and fully handmade. Cloth dolls of nearly every ethnicity are available among most popular brands on the market. Groovy Girls, the lanky cloth dolls with big feet, and bold colored, sassy outfits are one of the latest additions to America's long history of cloth-doll creating.
Go Green: Waldorf Cloth Dolls
Waldorf dolls are made of all-natural wool and cotton, and patterns for creating them are available online. Doll makers begin with wool stuffing, which they wrap around to create a ball-like shape. Cotton string is pulled tightly under the chin and across the eye area to create the shape of a head, followed by a stockinette; view the Silver Penny site (in "Additional Resources," below) to get an idea of how this works. Facial features are either painted on or embroidered. These dolls are known for their ability to generate warmth when hugged by a child, because of their solid woolen stuffing.
Cleaning Cloth Dolls
If you have a vintage cloth doll, consult with an expert on its care, as you will want to preserve as much of its original coloring and shape as you can. Most new dolls will come with care instructions, so follow the manufacturers' guidelines. If you create your own doll, pay close attention to the fabrics you choose. Some will be more sensitive to shrinking or fading than others. Anything other than polyester stuffing should be taken out of the doll before washing it. Use a seam ripper to remove the stuffing, If you're sure that your doll--with or without stuffing--can withstand a gentle washing, use warm water, Woolite or baby shampoo, and gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. Let it dry on a rack overnight.