Friday, 18 January 2013

Sophie The Dutch Doll


Sophie is a Dutch Doll. She belonged to my sister when we were children. Jealousy is not a very nice emotion, and I am ashamed to say that as a child I was incredibly jealous of my sister.  She is two years older than me, and to me she was cleverer, prettier, more confident, better at art, and worst of all she owned Sophie.

And perhaps she is also kinder than me, because ten years ago when I had my daughter (she has two boys), she presented us with a box containing Sophie, and her complete wardrobe.


I have photographed Sophie in what I would call her work-a-day clothes. She also has some grander clothes for going out, which I am going to put in a second post.



Nearly all her clothes and accessories were designed and handstitched by my sister when we were children. Only the yellow woollen dress above was bought, I think from a jumble sale. Her lovely knitted bloomers were made by my mum. Sorry Sophie, I know this photo is a bit undignified for a Victorian lady, but I thought people might like to see how you are constructed.

 
Sophie is not an antique, but a reproduction and was bought from a toy shop in Bath. But she is now over 50 years old, so probably would be classed as a collectable. She is made completely from wood, and even her jointed limbs have small wooden pins.


These two hats were made for her by my sister (the one on the left) and me (the one on the right). We plaited the rafia, and then sewed the plaits together. Can you see my rough green stitches on the bonnet (I have no idea why I picked green), compared to her neat work? Can you understand my frustration? Nothing I did ever seemed as good.


 I think Sophie is going off now to do some shopping.


I have been saving Sophie for what I call a rainy day post, although in fact today is a snowy day. Outside it is snowing really heavily. Sorry about the darkness of some of these photos. There is not much natural light today, but I really hate using flash. This post is also a bit of a homage to Trudy on Playing in the Attic, and her much more enigmatic She.


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28 comments:

  1. Melissa18 January 2013 at 06:47

    What a beautiful gift and what awesome memories, even the admission of your jealousy toward your sister.

    I used to have a doll studio and taught porcelain doll making and I swear every woman who came into the shop would lift up the doll dresses to check out their underware. It was too funny.

    Thanks for sharing Sophie...I still have a special place in my heart for dolls.

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  2. Kathryn Ray18 January 2013 at 07:10

    What a fabulous doll and great story. I rather like the bonnet with the green stitching.

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  3. sarah in the woods18 January 2013 at 09:22

    What a darling doll, and I love her wardrobe!

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  4. Unknown18 January 2013 at 10:13

    very sweet doll, and as the others said, what a great story!

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  5. Michelle18 January 2013 at 10:55

    So, did you give Sophie to your daughter, or are you stashing her in your room for safe keeping. :-D Very cute.

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    1. Ginx Craft19 January 2013 at 01:47

      No Sophie is my daughter's now, although I didn't let her play with her much when she was very young. I am hoping she might add to her wardrobe some day. Sophie has gone on several annual tripa to school, as one of the topics we did was toys - now and in the past.

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  6. Cynthia18 January 2013 at 11:00

    Oh she is so sweet, and I love the outfits your sister created. How very special indeed!

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  7. Miriam19 January 2013 at 00:52

    what a great post - so fascinating so special

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  8. Laurel-Rain Snow19 January 2013 at 04:27

    Oh, I can see why you envied your sister for possessing Sophie. She is adorable...and now I want her, too! lol

    I'm glad you got her eventually. Enjoy!

    Tell Sophie thanks for "modeling" for us. (I'm kind of a doll freak...and love them all!).

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  9. Susan Lindquist19 January 2013 at 05:53

    What an interesting little doll! I always adored having my dolls when I was young and still have several of them tucked away. Your sister is a dear to part with Sophie, but she has come to a good home!

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  10. Eugenia O'Neal19 January 2013 at 06:05

    How lovely of her to have passed it on to your daughter! It's wonderful that Sophie is giving joy to another generation!

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  11. Staci19 January 2013 at 06:40

    Sophie is amazing!!! I love the clothes made by your sister!!

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  12. Unknown19 January 2013 at 07:40

    I Love Sophie!!

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  13. Christine Harding19 January 2013 at 08:54

    She is beautiful. I have an antique miniature Dutch doll, with cloth body and china arms, legs and head. My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/xnBo7

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  14. Elizabeth19 January 2013 at 10:04

    I love this doll..so cute. THANKS for sharing her.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Saturday Snapshot

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  15. Alyce19 January 2013 at 11:36

    All of those handmade items are so detailed! I have two older sisters, so I completely understand the jealousy thing. :) In our family it was a metal model sailing ship. There was so much arguing about it that my mom said no one could have it. Years later when we were all grown and out of the house it somehow made it's way to my home, and I honestly don't remember how. But thankfully no one seems to care that much about it anymore.

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  16. Esme19 January 2013 at 12:50

    I love these old dolls. It seems that your sister is gracious and understands childhood sibling rivalry. I think all siblings have it.

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  17. WonderWhyGal19 January 2013 at 13:19

    oooh, what a wonderful story. I love that she passed it on to your daughter.

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  18. Lmkazmierczak20 January 2013 at 06:53

    A much loved doll♫ Love your posting about it♥

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  19. MadBirdDesignsUK21 January 2013 at 13:24

    Oh what a wonderful doll. Thanks for commenting on my blog x Joan

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  20. Trudy21 January 2013 at 15:13

    Ginny, what a lovely doll Sophie is! I absolutely adored reading her life history, the clothes, the envy and desire you had as a child, your joy of having her now for your own daughter. And then a little surprise at the end, when you mentioned "She"!!

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  21. AgueroSandra22 January 2013 at 11:42

    Maravillada de tu muñeca, con historia bellisima y me trae muchos recuerdos de mi niñez muy hermoso besos.

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  22. stitchin' girl22 January 2013 at 13:33

    What a great history this doll has. I'm sure your daughter loves her as much as you and your sister did and do. I love the clothes and hats that you made for her!

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  23. AllyB23 January 2013 at 17:36

    A beautiful story. She's certainly a special doll. Thank you for sharing her background. Makes her even more interesting.

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  24. Carrie24 January 2013 at 16:04

    What a wonderful doll and wonderful memories. And how nice that your sister is sharing her with your daughter to also have great memories. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

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  25. Ruth Taylor2 February 2013 at 07:11

    How lovely to see Sophie in this blog post! I adored her, and she gave me hours of pleasure making things for her, and playing with her. I'm sure Ginny will agree we had a pretty sheltered childhood which probably explains our fascination with making and crafting for our own amusement.
    I also remember doing a school project when I was about 11 years old on "Underwear Through The Ages".

    Maybe you have guessed? I am the 'big' sister.

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  26. EleanorLucy Millinery26 February 2013 at 03:11

    What a wonderful thing to still have, I love her! Predictably her hats are my favourite, thanks for sharing - it's made me remember my own and my sister's fashion adventures on our long suffering dolls! I think painted hair would have saved ours from a lot of trauma! ;)

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  27. Ruth Taylor8 April 2018 at 14:19

    As the 'sister' I would like to say that I purchased Sophie with my birthday money. I feel she cost 10 shillings and 6 pence in February 1968. From one of the original Tridias toy stores.

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