Raggedy Ann/ Andy hair

Try # 4 After mumbleity mumble years, I'm working on DD's RaggedyAnn/Andy dolls.

Thus my questions:

When you 'do' the hair, how close do you put it together (they only say 3 rows--but that looks sparse to me),

AND do you cut the yarn or leave it in loops?

Don't say "it's up to me" cause it's been AGES since I've seen one, let alone make one.....((DD's first pair literally fell apart--she's finally threw the rest away when she heard these are almost done :) ))

I'm wrapping the yarn around cardboard, sewing in the middle (where I left the space open), sliding it off, and sewing it onto the doll's head. Sure beats hand sewing the yarn onto the doll.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Butterfly

Yes, Butterfly - it is arriving! but number 4 came before number 3.

Reply to #3 & #4........nice to have you back aboard!

The "Raggedy" hair is cut, not left in loops, both for Ann and Andy. I just checked my patterns (it's been awhile since I made them). My dolls have three rows of yarn hair sewn about an inch apart. Once you cut the loops and then do a good scalp massage to fluff up that hair before you can trim it. However........now that I am typing this and thinking back to what I did, I seem to remember adding an extra row of yarn hair (rows closer together) on Ann because I thought it just looked better, but then I buy 'volumizing' shampoo so my perception of hair may be somewhat skewed *snort* Andy wears a hat so it doesn't seem to matter. I wrapped the yarn around cardboard and had cut an open ended slash down the center of the cardboard to run a row of machine stitching before sliding it off then stitching it down to the head. This was after trying to slide it (unstitched) off the cardboard and THEN stitching it down to the head. That first try looked as if I'd assigned hairdressing duty to the cat! Just remember a really good scalp massage after clipping loops and before the styling trim. That's the "secret".

Don't forget to embroider or draw the little "I love you" heart left of center on their chest! ;)

Val

I went over to ebay to see what sort of Raggedy items they had. There were more than 900; I saw skinny braids, limp locks and sturdy curls. I'm afraid there are no rules or standards. Could you ask DD her preference? Polly

Glad you made it Butterfly. Our electric has been out ALL day and finally we are back up and running. The old 50's pattern doesn't have the loop look. It sort of has hair laid out across the back (up and down) leaving loose bangs in front around the face and loose ends in back. This is all just stitched at seamline around face and back neck. I have one a friend make for me like this. I have a copy of the old McCall's (50's) pattern if you want me to hunt the formal directions for this style. I do my annie and andy hair with loops. It can be cut but I just like the look of loops better. I take a hairpin lace hook and wrap with the hair yarn. I machine sew down the center 2 times. This I just stitch on. Makes for a long lasting hairdo. I like the hair thick and do sort of a 'D' shape (flat side of the d to the bottom) and then keep working the back from there. Probably around 3/4" rows apart. You end up with just horse shoe shapes as they get larger. I like a row at the seam line and a row of two in front of that. If you want me to trace off the pattern from what I have or the old instructions I can pop them in the mail. Hope that was clearer than mud. Taria

Butterflyw> Try # 4

I was just following what my pattern, bought in the 50s for THIRTY FIVE CENTS! said. Those days are gone *sigh* I also did a Google after reading your post and I see there's a multitude of hair dos out there. Now, I'm wondering what that Bedazzled gator would look like with a loopy yarn Raggedy wig? hmmmmmm?.......you DO have a digital camera now, don't you Polly? boowahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Val ;)

I am using cardboard cut down the middle-looping the yarn and stitching, sliding the yarn wrapping and stitching. (Loops stand at 2" high) Quickly discovered that one length of stitching slid off easily and start a new swatch is soo much easier. I will add more than the recommended rows---one on seam line then 2 short ones across the back. Think I will do one in front of the seam as it looks pretty sparse. Good idea on sewing a second time as it will be more secure. Thanks for the pattern hunt offer but I'll just keep adding until it looks like hair. I'll pin the rest of the rows on, now that the first seamline one is done, before sewing them to see how close I need to get

After reading ALL the comments that I've seen so far, the loops are outweighing all the rest, so loops it will be.

The hearts were embroidery floss HAND STITCHED on years ago, as were the nose and mouth. The eyes are big black glossy buttons (No worries on lil ones at this point in time).

She doesn't know it, but both 'kidlets' have a Christmas set of clothes, including a Christmas hat for Andy, besides the everyday ones. I put a row of fancy dancy stitching on the bottom seamline of the apron. It adds a nice touch. Won't she be surprised.

Can you tell I'm enjoying this?

Butterfly (It's good to be back home......and to have been missed. Anyone want a Tootsie Roll? )

I was 'offering' I haven't had any........yet. Since I just got back, I thought I'd bring something to share.

Now what's this about a cape? I haven't heard about that at all. Dolls are 36".

Buttelfy (quite interested, in fact.)

I made my DD a doll similar to RA a few years back and all I can really say is that if you think the doll will get LOTS of lovin' to not cut the yarn if you can help it. Maybe I bought funny yarn, but after two years of being "loved" the cut yarn ends went frizzy and pill-y.

For her 'do, I cut long lengths of yarn, folded the bulk in half to determine the center and then stitched it to her head by hand, using IIRC, a backstitch/running stitch (I went over my stitches a zillion times to make sure it wouldn't fall out later!). Then I trimmed the ends even and set my girly to work braiding her hair. Finally, after she braided it, I sewed a bow to the ends so the braids wouldn't come undone.

It actually looked really cute - my girly had the same hairstyle back then and they looked like twins! Even down to the "hair color!"

Wow! talk about a flashback - that was nearly 10 years ago! Now my girly plays with Bratz ... *sigh* ... I sure wish she'd go back to regular dolls.

The doll I made her still sits on her bed, though and STILL gets regular lovin's! :)

>

Here is a Raggedy Ann, dancing with her friend!

NAYY.You can click on 'close view' and REALLY see how Ann usually styles her hair. NAYY. MY little Raggedy Ann is about 12" tall. Her hair is MOSTLY cut straight, except for her cowlick! She has one area where the strands are a straight but longer, with some uncut loops! We will keep it like this ... no extreme make-over for this family. Grins,

PAT and Ann > Try # 4

Interesting notation: the majority of Ann's dresses have a neckline ruffle. My pattern didn't call for it as it has rick rack.

Butterfly (I'm not a rick rack person)

When I made these Raggedy Ann and Andy...I left Ann's hair in loops and cut the hair. Pics are here....

Good luck Jennifer Edmonton, Alberta

Oops....I meant to say I cut Andy's hair and left Ann's hair in loops.