What Others Have Done with

Dolly Hug & Bear Hugs

 

This fall our quilting group, the Lavender Ladies who meet once a month in Wallingford, CT enjoyed making dolls for the Oglala Lakota children living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. With an unemployment rate of 80-85 percent, this is the poorest area in the U.S. ... and many children have never had a doll to hug and hold. We used your charity doll pattern, and we marveled at the many different costumes created. The dolls were sent out in early December so that they could be distributed on the reservation which is about the size of the state of Connecticut.

 

 

"Thought you might like to know  that, from one of your patterns I made up some cloth dolls and they are now in an AIDS orphanage in Africa, throughly enjoyed by the kids."
Affectionatly
Claire

"Antonette,
Thank you so much for the dolly hugs pattern. I'm an American living in Berlin, Germany and I have a 3-year-old son and a 9-month-old daughter. I had never made a doll before until I stumbled upon your site on the net. I thought it would be a great idea to make my daughter a dolly hugs and it ended up to be a lot of fun. I embroidered the face and I think she came out quite well. I love the idea of her praying when her arms go together. If you have any other pictures of dolls that have been made I would love to see them, I've attatched a picture of our dolly hugs so you can see what our newest family member looks like. I also love the sock underwear idea! What other ideas did people have for clothes for this doll? If you would like, I could send the pattern for our dress to share with others. My next dolly hugs is in the planning and my son wants a teddy, so I have a bit of work ahead of me.
Thanks again,
Kimberly, Alexander and Alida"

I want to thank you so very much for providing this little doll pattern for free on your website. This pattern was exactly what I was looking for! I particularly had it in my heart to make and send dolls that would have an inspirational message to them and send them to Africa Renewal Ministries, a ministry near and dear to my heart, in Gaba, Uganda, where Pastor Peter Kasirivu pastors not only a church, but heads up a school and an orphanage, medical clinic and feeding programs. Due to the AIDS epidemic, and the country being war-torn, there are more and more children who are left orphans, and it is my hope to make more dolls and send them to these children, in hopes that the dolls will touch their little hearts in a big way for Jesus.
Attached is a picture of the doll that I sent to my little girl who I support there. I painted a heart on the chest of my doll and painted the name of Jesus and tied a card to it with a message to my little girl to keep Jesus in her heart and to remind her that Jesus loves her dearly. I made the dress reversible, and put in extra hair ties.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this ministry, their website is www.africarenewal.org
Thank you so very much and God bless richly,
Teresa

 

Ms. Cely,
 Here is a picture of my first ever dolls, most made with your Dolly Hugs and Bear Hugs patterns,  and I had not touched a sewing machine in over thirty years! I have plugged your web site in my current Lair Log entry on my web site
http://www.lair-wildscape.com/lairlog.htm
so others can download and make the patterns. These dolls will go to our temporary shelter for abused children  this week. Thank you for making the patterns available and for having that wonderful idea. The two primitive dolls were designed by EJ Taylor and the patterns are in his 1989 book, Dollmaking. 

 

More Letters...

Dear Ms. Cely:
I first visited your site for the dolly hugs pattern.  I am so impressed that you would create such a cute little doll for the purpose of being given away.  I am sure you have made more children happy than you could possibly know.  My mother's church group is going to make dolly hugs to send to little girls in Africa.  My Mom told me the story about a little girl who had wrapped a stick in a piece of cloth to make a doll.  As soon as I heard that my thoughts went to dolly hugs, and her church group is running with the idea.
Thank you for your time,
Heather Haskett, 23
Salt Lake City, USA

Dear Noni,
       I am meeting an instructor at Everett Community College where I took her class on Anthropology.  She has her class do 8 to 10 hours of community service.  I will give her the information from your website and see if she might be interested in offering this as a way to earn the community service hours or maybe take it on as a project that also could be used by other instructors.
    I am 63 and in school after being laid off from Boeing and was approved to go to school and learn a new skill.  My major is Education Paraprofessional (teacher's aide with a diploma).  I have had a marvelous time learning all kinds of new things.  I am also a doll maker and have made a few dolls for craft shows.
    I will keep in touch with you and let you know what I find out.  What with the studying I have had to do, I have had to put my sewing on the back burner for a while but after June, 2005 when I graduate, I hope to get back to sewing again, not only for my grandchildren, but some dolls for you.
        Talk to you later.          Joyce I. Carlson

Hello Noni,

Just a little note to say thank you for re-introducing me to Dolly Hugs via your newsletter. I had come across it a long time ago but, having senior moments, I forgot about it.

For many years, I have been making cloth dolls for the Children's Hospital and Shelters.  Sadly, life interferes in my hobbies and I do not have as much  time to dedicate to this project as I would like.  So, I was thrilled to re-discover Dolly Hugs and Bear Hugs.......I always felt bad for not making anything for the boys...and now !!!! wow !!!!

Having been a bit of a fabriholic, I remembered that among my stashes, there is a large amount of flannelette material......one for girls and one for boys.....sooooo, I am thinking that I will use the fabric to make their bodies (sort of like pyjamas) and appropriate material for their heads........

Thought I would share this with you as you have inspired this latest bout of creativity which hopefully will bring much joy and comfort to many children. 

- Carmela Baratta

Our school is trying to pay for a new playground and are doing all sorts of fund raisers to help us reach our goal.  One of our fundraisers is Santa's Workshop.  Faculty and other staff members make items or donate items so the students may buy gifts for their families.    Our community is not a very rich one so we keep the prices low and we put the profits into the playground fund.  We found your web site with the patterns for doll hugs and bear hugs and really like them. They would be easy for us to make up and sell to the children.  We understand they are not to be sold but we are wondering if under these circumstances if would be possible.

Francis Nichols

REPLY - You can always make the dolls to give away, but please never make them for sale, even for a charitable cause. - Noni

I was just looking online for a teddy bear pattern when I came across your site. My friend is making teddy bears for her daughters special needs class and I was searching for a good pattern with out joints.
 
I just wanted to tell you that I was very moved by your little bear hugs story. I think you are very wonderful with what you do and wanted to thank you for sharing it with others in hopes that they may do what you ask.
 
Keep up the good work.
 
AnnaMarie VanLuven

Thanks for Dolly hugs,
I am starting to print your pattern.
I wanted to tell you that she will be for my foster child, the daughter of drug addicts. She is 17 months old now, she was taken from her mom at at 6 weeks old and given to us to care for. I am sure she is who you had the pattern in mind for!

Love to you, and Inisa will love her new doll!

Linda Chavez

I am a 65 year old women that has been making lap quilts for the folks in homes, also knit for premmies, booties, hats and sweaters.  I ran accross your Dolly, can I have your permission to enlarge the pattern to make for women in the homes.  The elderly also like to hug things much as a child.  Maybe we go back to being a child. Would like to try this idea to see if it will cheer up some sad people.

THANK YOU
Adele

Dear Madame
I am writing from Florence, Italy.
I would like to thank you for offering a free cloth doll pattern. My daughter,12, will use it at school to make dolls to be sold for needy children.
So it is as you said on your web site!
Have a nice Christmas
Cristina

REPLY - Again, please do not make these dolls for sale. They should be given away. Noni

Hi,
My name is Andrea and I live on the coast of Queensland Australia. I was browsing the net in search of simple, quick and easy bear and doll patterns and I came across your dolly hugs and bear hugs patterns and I can't wait to try them out.  This time of year is very busy for me as I do a lot of sewing for charities.  Every year I make over 500 Christmas stockings for "The Smith Family" which go into the hampers they donate to families in need.  I make dolls and bears to put under the K-Mart wishing tree which are then delivered to numerous charities to be given out,  which is why I was looking for quick patterns.  I also make quilts and picnic rugs for different organisations so they can raffle them to raise much needed funding to keep their doors open, beds for the aminal shelter and bears for children who have leukaemia and childrens clothing for a local shelter.   I believe that one person can make a difference and it doesn't take much to light up the lives of others. 
Thankyou for putting this pattern on the net, now I will be able to make a lot more toys.
 
Merry Christmas to you and all your family and friends and may 2004 be all you want it to be.
 
Yours Sincerely
Andrea

I was sent this doll information. Could you please send me a copy of the pattern via snail mail.  Does your pattern come in a full size, I don't drive due to MS. So I cannot get to a copier.  Any clothes patterns for dolls would be appreciated too. Little kids like to change their clothes too. I am looking for a pillow case doll pattern, or any kinds of dolls that I can make. I have a lot of muslin scraps from quilt making. I have recemtly become disabled, and live on a very fixed low income, so if there is a charge for your patterns please let me know in advance. I normally make a lot of toys for tots but this year I didn't have enough patterns. I had lost most of my patterns in a move. 
Thank you,

Mary Osorio

Hello there! I just wanted to say what a wonderful thing it was that I found your website.
I think that is very sweet of you to share your patterns for these loveable dolls.
My question for you is do you think this doll could be hand sewn? My 10 year old daughter is studding Colonial times, and has chosen to make a "rag" doll for her school project. 
 
Thank You,
 Christy
REPLY - Yes, I have seen her hand-sewn, made by children as young as 8 years old. They are charming! Noni

i think this is a great thing you are doing. the first time i saw this i thought great - the next day was sunday and i asked my sunday school class what they though about making the dolls - the girls are excited and even the 2 boys in my class.  personally, i think boys need to learn to sew - my 40 year old son does.  thank you for your special gift and sharing.

peggy

Could you send me the teddy bear pattern ?  I want to show these projects to my ministers wife as she just got a sewing group together for missions. I will also tell her about sending them to Iraq & those others you mentioned to not send them there.
Thank you,
Eileen  Ednie

I am an Activities Director for an Assisted Living Facility in Mexico Beach, Florida.  Our residents range from 82 to 97 years old, all whom have various limitations including Dementia, Alzheimer's and stroke related paralyzations.  Even though you have developed Dolly Hugs for children, I would like to make them for use in our facility.  Many of our residents have few visitors and I believe a daily "Dolly Hug" would be great for morale. 
Because they would not be used for charity purposes, I feel I should ask your permission before going any further.
Thank you for you time and kindness!
Patty Eckman

REPLY - The dolls will be given away, and that is what they are designed for. It doesn't matter if the recipient is a child or an adult, as long as they are a gift. Thank you all for writing. I love hearing what you are doing with the pattern! _ - - Noni

CHARITY DOLLS
C/O Antonette Cely
3592 Cherokee Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30340-2749

 © CELY Communications, Inc.

URL: http://www.cely.com/dollystories.html