My Love Of Black Dollies

I have loved black dollies since I was a child.

Growing up as a child I had an Aunt Jemima doll.

I did not think of myself as being racist...

I loved my black doll...so much that it ended up in rags,

just like my stuffed pink and yellow bunny.

I was a tomboy as a child, 

so my black dollie was the only doll I played with. 

Today I still love black dolls and bunnies!

Now let me tell you a bit of history of these dolls.

Black dolls are considered the first true handmade

dolls in America as they were all hand sewn,

one a kind dolls made from no longer used clothing.

I hate to use this word slave, 

but it was the slaves who created these

W O N D E R F U L

dolls that I consider works of art!

It was the only toy their own children could have.

So sad...so very sad.

The first black dolls were Topsy Turvy.

One side was a white doll, the other a black doll.

They were made by mammies for the white children

who they took care of as slaves.

White children were mostly cared for by their mammies,

therefore they wanted a doll to represent them.

In order to please their masters, they made the 

Topsy Turvy doll.

Ever since the one time I saw an antique

Black Dollie at the Greenfield Village museum,

I have wanted one.

But alas a true antique black doll is worth

thousands of dollars...something even this

antique dealer wishes she could get her hands on.

I was once again perusing these dollies on Pinterest,

and decided to make another one for myself.

I tried to be as primitive as I could with my stitches.

Made her dress a plain grungy brown check.

Her scarf a red grungy print.

However I keep looking at her every night after work,

and I think her dress needs a little more OOMPF.

So please if you have any suggestion, please let me know.

Well today will be a mix of freezing rain to rain.

Have to leave early for work now.

But it soon will be the weekend!

WOOHOO!

Any plans for your weekend?

Black Dollie Blessings To All!

Janice