African American Baby Dolls for Charity Quilts

[Eileen K.]

I have been doing a series of charity quilts for little girls, and especially at Christmas time I like to include a small doll with the quilts. I have found reasonably priced (under $10) 10" Caucasian dolls at Wal-Mart. However, I would like to find similar dolls for little African American youngsters, as well.

I have had absolutely no luck at our local Wal-Marts or at any of the local toy shops. The only African American doll I could find was about 24" -- way too large for my project. I have also tried to search online, with no success.

Does anyone know of a source for an African American Baby Doll about 10" for somewhere under $10? I know that some little girl and I would be grateful.

[Eileen K.]

I might suggest making the dolls. My mother, age 90, has made little stuffed dolls for years. She makes them in all colors with lots of different outfits, boy dolls and girl dolls. I asked her to make one for my best friend's mother. It's the cutest little "African American" doll ever! She made several little "Asian American" for three of her grandsons whose mother is Filipina.

Draw out a pattern for a little doll, kind of like a stick figure. Hers are about 12" tall and about eight inches wide at the end of the arms. She uses yarn for the hair and draws cute little happy faces. They are stuffed and so cute! She's sold many over the years for her ladies' charity. They're much loved.

If you contact me, I can send you a photo of the dolls. Click on my user name.

JoAnne

[Eileen K.]

try kmart/target. they usually have limited quantities

Lissette

[Eileen K.]

Rorimer -- Thanks for the suggestion. I have thought about making one, but I'd rather spend the time sewing quilts. If all else fails, however, I'll definitely go that route. I remember somewhere in the dim past seeing doll parts on a piece of fabric that you could cut out and sew together. I wonder if something like that is still available? With my artistic skills, any doll I would draw from scratch would probably give some little girl nightmares!

Lisette -- Thanks. I have checked Wal-Mart, but I will add Target to my list. Wish me luck...

[Eileen K.]

Wish I could help, but all I can do is add a story... when my sister's oldest daughter was about 2 another little sis came along, so DS wanted a baby doll for DD#1, but was living at the time in a small town in Australia & didn't have many shopping choices, so she asked me to get one for Christmas... I thought it would be fun to get her a doll that looked like her, and while shopping, realized that she more closely resembled the African-heritage dolls than any others! Her father has Italian lineage and my DS somehow got ALL the melanin in our family, plus the Australian sun just browned that little girl right up! So I got her the dark baby-doll, and she was as happy as could be!
Florence

[Eileen K.]

do you have a Dollar General or Family Dollar store? These are very reasonably priced stores almost like a five and dime store...I miss those...

[Eileen K.]

You are more likely to find black dolls in a store in or near a predominately black neighborhood. I'd suggest you also check "Big Lots". If you are looking for cheap, try garage sales, the Salvation Army and thrift stores. Let your friends who enjoy "junking" know that you are looking for them (in good condition only) and you will probably end up with more that you need.