Friday 12 March 2010

Holly Hobby Nostalgia

When I was a little girl I did not play with dolls very much, I had a couple which I liked to try and make clothes for. However, there was one rag doll that I did love a lot and it went most places including bedtime and that was my Holly Hobbie Doll. Remember them?

I am pretty sure that I managed to get her friend Amy too who had a brown and creamy dress but the memory is not certain. I got on to subject of toys and dolls with Sophie and she asked me what my toys were like and I mentioned Holly Hobbie, so I tried to explain what she looked like. In the end I said, "she looked a bit like you!" Sophie has the same colour hair, roundish face and a cute sprinkling of freckles going over her nose.
This intrigued her even more so we went and googled Holly Hobbie and I was amazed at what was on there.
We then had a look on Ebay and Amazon to see what else we could find and then finally Etsy.

I did put a bid on a Doll from the USA but was unlucky. Then I found these patterns on Etsy. I thought about for a day or two and then decided to go for it. After I have finished an order of cards for a coffee shop and listed some Easter items, then I shall have a go at making my own Holly Hobbie Doll and quilt and re-live a little childhood nostalgia. I will need to do a little research and see if I can make her dress as close to the original style as I can. I am pretty sure it was a blue patchwork style, a bit like The little house on the Praire. By the way, do you also remember Strawberry Shortcake and Victoria Plum characters as well?

What was your favourite toy as a child?

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

xx

6 comments:

Twiggy said...

I remember holly hobbie, I think we are about the same age ??? I loved that stuff and was very jealous of my cousins bedroom which had holly hobbie wallpaper !!!
Twigets class is currently doing a project about toys from their parents generation, I made him a tiny Etch a Sketch as it was my favourite toy, sadly it didn't work but did look the part !!
Twiggy x

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

My mother made that doll for me when I was little. I loved her. I remember her face was so soft and her freckles were french knots I think.

jennyflowerblue said...

I had a Holly Hobbie, Mum even made me a dress up outfit. I think it was green check, white bloomers, button up boots, a white smock and a mop cap with blonde plaits. I do remember Strawberry Shortcake and Victoria Plum, I think Angela Rippon had something to do with her. Have fun reminiscing! xx

Louise said...

I think I must have been too old to appreciate Holly Hobbie. I remember the greetings cards you could buy, and she was very popular. x

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I still have that pattern and my daughter (I think she is about your age) still has the HollY Hobbie I made for her. I also made her a dress and bonnet to match the doll's. What wonderful memories! I doubt if I could still make the doll but I was a young mom back then with nimble fingers. It was a real labor of love. Thanks for your blog and for sharing Holly.
Sue

Chocolate Cat said...

Oh I loved Holly Hobbie! I was lucky enough to have a few things as a child, a doll and swap cards among other things! When my husbands grandmother died we were given baskets of her sewing things, most of it junk but in it was that exact same Holly Hobbie pattern (the simplicity one). I am really looking forward to making it.

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