It was February 2020 when I found this very cute 1997 Dolly Dingle Garnet doll by Karen Kennedy for Goebel on Etsy. I didn't realise it then, but she would become one of my very favourite dolly makeovers.
My little foundling arrived wearing her original dress, undies, socks, shoes, hair bow, but I wasn't at all interested in keeping them . . . I had other plans for her.
Dolly Dingle was in wonderful condition and had great eyes which really spoke to me. She makes me smile and has the funniest face I've ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it!
Though if you look below at the original 1922, 1923, 1924 versions of Grace Drayton's Dolly Dingle paper doll illustrations which were published in the Pictorial Review, I think it's probably the closest representation of Grace's idea of rosie cheeks the manufacturers could muster.
It's these illustrations which I based my Dolly Dingle on, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.
I had to remove her wig, wash and completely restyle it. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, now we can all see her eyebrows.
Finally my Dolly Dingle, or as I prefer to call her, Dee Dee, as she is now. Do you think I did Grace's illustrations justice?
NOTE: Born Grace Gebbie on 14th October, 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grace was considered to be one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, she was also an illustrator of children's books, postcards, fashion pages and magazine covers. You will also find her work (1904-1911) signed Grace Wiederseim or G G Wiederseim.
