A small satchel can change the way you look at an animal doll. Suddenly the fox or rabbit seems to be on its way somewhere, with an outfit chosen for the trip. We like paying attention to those details, alongside the more practical ones: how tall the doll is, what its body and clothes are made from, and which pieces come with it.
A bunny with company, or a dressed animal character
The fly little bird bunny is handmade and about 14 inches tall. It comes with a felt satchel and a small felt bird, so there is another little character in the package as well as the bunny.
Woolgrass Farm's dolls are approximately 16 inches tall. Florette Fox wears a Liberty floral top and coordinating bloomers, with a satchel. Ruthie the Rabbit combines a gingham top with floral bloomers and her own satchel. The fabrics give the two characters quite different looks.
Fern the Frog has a Liberty top and gingham bloomers. Agatha the Bear has a floral top, gingham bloomers and a satchel. We'd choose partly by the animal, certainly, but also by the little outfit someone will enjoy looking at.
Read the textiles one component at a time
Body fabric, filling and clothing are separate parts of the doll. A cotton outfit doesn't tell you what is inside the body. Fern and Agatha bring together Australian merino wool and wool filling from Pennsylvania. Those are two different parts of the dolls, with two different places behind them.
Handmade pieces can vary from the example photograph, as several descriptions explain. If a particular fabric placement or small detail is central to your choice, ask about the actual piece. Measure the shelf, bag or gift box too: a 16-inch character takes up a little more space than a 14-inch one.
Let the character suggest a story
For a child, confirm the age and use instructions for the whole item, including removable clothes and small accessories. Plush construction alone doesn't answer that question.
Once you've chosen an appropriate doll, a destination can begin the adventure. Where is the character going today? What might be in the satchel? The bag can stay empty while the story invents its contents.
Your Personal Penguin offers a different sort of company: a rhyming book about a penguin who wants to be a hippo's friend. Our affection and friendship book guide has more stories to consider alongside a doll gift.
Keep care as particular as the materials
Follow the maker's directions for the body, stuffing and removable clothes. A washing method for a cotton garment may not suit a wool-filled doll.
The lavender-filled cashmere bird and vintage-cotton ball are separate textile objects, with their own materials and intended uses to confirm before choosing them for handling or display. They shouldn't become infant-toy suggestions merely because they're small and soft.
For another way to build an imaginary character, our dress-up box guide considers suitable pieces to wear. With the dolls, we'd come back to the character itself: the animal, the fabric and that little satchel, ready for a story when its owner wants one.
Leave a comment