Ruth Gibbs Doll

A few months back I heard about a

china head doll made by Ruth Gibbs

in the 1940s, during WWII.

They were called, 

"Godey Little Lady Dolls".

But, what was Ruth Gibb's motivation?

Ruth Gibbs had a love of China Head dolls

and collected dolls herself. Ruth 

wished there was a china doll that girls

could play with, without breaking

quite so easily.

(Clara, my repaired 1890 China Head doll)

Antique China head dolls were fragile and

many were broken by their little

girl mommies who then had 

broken hearts themselves.

My grandmother mourned her broken 

china doll as long as she lived. 

I wonder if Ruth had a similar memory?

Grandma's broken doll must have been 

similar to my Clara.

(My grandmother's 1920 China doll, 7" tall)

Ruth must have noticed the smaller China dolls

seemed a bit more durable. Due to their more

compact head and limb size.

(Ruth Gibbs "Little Women")

In the early 1940s, Ruth began designing 

a China Doll that could be played with.

They came in 7" and 12" sizes.

Some of Ruth's little 7" dolls came with a box

that opened up and had a dress pattern.

Notice her little gold painted shoes.

All the Ruth Gibbs dolls have these 

sweet hand painted faces.

OH! This is my Ruth Gibbs, "Lily".

This is Lily as she arrived. The dress 

she is wearing did not truly fit her.

Here is Lily patiently waiting for a dress.

The Ruth Gibbs dolls have wires

inside their bodies for posing.

Lily is looking much happier in her new dress.

But she needs pantalettes!

I found a small pant pattern and 

widened the legs for pantalettes.  

I sewed lace to the leg bottoms, then 

sewed the front seam together.

Then I zig-zag 1/8th inch elastic along the pant top.

Then I close the back seam and finish

by sewing the inseam.

I used a hanky to create Lily's apron.

I decided to try making a bonnet with the 

remaining hanky.  I cut along one whole side

then gathered the fabric.

Next I sewed ribbon along the bonnet, 

gathering as I went.  

The back is sewn together to create 

the bonnet shape. This was a very 

finagling project and I wound up 

hand sewing a LOT of it. 

Here is Lily in her new outfit.

Bonnet back.

And Pantalettes!

Looking very sweet!

If I do say so myself.

AND her little gold shoes!

BONUS!!

I've traced and drawn on my computer 

the original Ruth Gibbs Pattern.

Original Pattern

I have added my pantalette 

pattern as well.

Save both these images in a

Picture Folder on your computer.

Print out full size on 

8 1/2 x 11" paper.

The one inch square is so that you can 

verify the print is the correct size.

I did try out the blouse pattern

to be certain it worked

Pretty simple.  Hem the sleeves.  Press down neckline and 

stitch. Fold with right sides together and sew side seams.

Pinned inside out to Lily

for sizing.

It was slighly large, so I adjusted 

my pattern accordingly.

Here are some more

Ruth Gibb's dolls

for your enjoyment!

12" Ruth Gibb Lady Doll

12" Lady dolls had a gold 

painted necklace.

7" Jo from Little Women.

7" Meg from Little Women.

7" Godey Flower Girls.

Ruth Gibbs with wigs.

(Notice the large felt bonnet)

Keep your dollies safe!