History of Cloth Dolls

In more recent years, there has been a increase in the interest in cloth dolls by adults. Many mothers and grandmothers started doll making with a toy for their children and it has developed into a very dignified, elaborate art form. There were few famous cloth doll makers throughout history. In the 1840s, Izannah Walker, who made cloth dolls with a primitive or folk arts look, was one of the first ones to produce cloth dolls and patented her dolls in 1873. These dolls are very much in demand by collectors.

Freelance artist, Johnny Gruelle created a distinctive, whimsical design for a doll named "Raggedy Ann", which he patented and trademarked in 1915. He achieved fame in the arena of juvenile book illustrating and as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy eventually became known as "The Raggedy Ann Man." By the time of his death in 1938, Gruelle's Raggedy characters, dolls, and books were known throughout the world.

In Europe the cloth doll was being produced by the Lenci Doll company. In the early 1920's the dolls were marketed as "Scavini Dolls" after their creator, Elena Scavini. In Turin, Italy, a cloth producing center, she and her brother began making cloth dolls to supplement their income during the war. They found that wool felt could be molded under pressure and was readily available even during the war. In 1937 the Garella family succeeded the Scavinis in running the company and still control it today.

About the same time in Germany, doll maker Kathe Kruse began producing cloth dolls with a head made from papier mache and covered with stockinet cloth. Although Kathe Kruse dolls are no longer made this way, she is also known for creating what is known as the Waldorf Doll, a simple, soft, huggable play doll both manufactured and hand made from a similar pattern and adored by children around the world.

In the early 1970's another cloth doll phenomenon was born. Using the quilting talents learned from his mother, Eula, and information gleaned from a dog eared book from the library, 21 year old, Xavier Roberts began to experiment with a German folk art known as "needle modeling". He realized that this technique, later known as soft sculpture, was similar to the technique used in creating the beautiful quilts. He started out making wall hangings and animals, but eventually

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