Pioneer Dolls

Happy Pioneer Day my friends! (A little late... 7/24). To celebrate with my Activity Day Girls we got together and I showed them how to make these simple Hankerchief Dolls. We talked about all that the Pioneers sacrificed as they left there homes to follow the prophet and find peace in a new land. I reminded the girls that the children were simply not able to bring there toys and favorite belongings with them most of the time. There just wasn't room. That is where the Hankerchief Doll comes into play. Here is a poem that tells a little about that.

Pioneer Dolls

Judie Fordham, “Pioneer Dolls,” Friend, Jul 1992, 27
When pioneer children were crossing the plains,They didn’t have cars, airplanes, or trains.They walked beside wagons loaded clear to the topWith food, bedding, and seeds for the next season’s crop.There just wasn’t room for a toy or a doll—The wagons were filled with all they could haul.So Papa’s handkerchief became a new toy,A cherished soft doll that brought lots of joy.This cute little doll loves to play or just sleep.She’ll brush away tears if ever you weep.So keep her close by—she’s easy to hold—And pretend you’re a pioneer child of old.

I had a good time figuring out how to make these dolls. I tweaked the instructions I found in the July 1992 FRIEND magazine and came up with these. A friend of mine is moving and donated a bag of lace for our cause. Each of the dolls my girls made has a different lace on her skirt. I prepared the fabric before the activity by hemming a 12 x12 square of beige muslin and added lace to one of the corners. At the activity each girl learned how to form their doll by tying the arms in knots, using ribbon to form the head and body. I was so proud of them when they eached sewed on their own bonnet. They loved picking out their own lace and were quick learners when it came to the hand sewing. I let them draw the eyes on their dolls because we only had one hour to work and it took me a good 20 minutes to figure out those darn French Knots! (I got it down though!) The girls did an excellent job!

The finished project! I also provided a list of Pioneer Girl names and let each girl name her doll. They loved that part and made sure that no one else used the same name. This was a great activity for the girls. We learned church history, practiced a new skill, worked together to help one another and had fun all along the way!

Way to go Sun Prairie Activity Day Girls!