Aunt Emily

Emily Bowyer Hammel was my father's older sister. She was the dearest person I've ever known. Over several adolescent summers, she patiently taught me how to sew and how to cook. I loved her. Sadly, she has been gone these few years and I miss her very much. However, I am carrying on her legacy of sewing and trying to carry on her legacy of caring.

Thursday, January 3

Little Orphan Annie - Doll Clothes

My mum had her 80th birthday in September. As we were growing up, she frequently mentioned that she listened to Little Orphan Annie's adventures on the radio, etc. So as I was trying to think of something different for her birthday, I happened to run across this LOA doll on Ebay. Once I got it, I made several outfits for her. My husband said the clothes were too nice, "after all she is an orphan"! I had fun doing it. I got the suitcase item at JoAnnes on clearance - it was a bit beaten up, which was appropriate! I took these photos when I was home for Christmas. Above is her original red dress and white tights. Then the "party dress" I made for her.
I used the 14 inch Betsy McCall pattern to make the jacket, top and pants. I used the Venus Dodget book to make the school dress and pinafore on the right. I could not find a real SANDY dog, so this little guy is standing in for Sandy.
The white dress is a summer dress. The white baby doll pj's are from a Betsy McCall pattern.


The Little Orphan Annie by
James Whitcomb Riley

Little Orphan Annie's come to my house to stay.
To wash the cups and saucers up
and brush the crumbs away.
To shoo the chickens from the porch
and dust the hearth and sweep, and make
the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep.
While all us other children, when the supper things is done,
we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun,
a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about and
the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!

Once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers,
and when he went to bed at night away up stairs,
his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl,
and when they turned the covers down, he wasn't there at all!
They searched him in the attic room and cubby hole and
press and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess,
but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts and
the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinned
and made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin,
and once when there was company and old folks was there,
she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn't care.
And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide,
there was two great big black things a standing by her side.
They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about, and
the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

When the night is dark and scary, and the moon is full and
creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about, or
the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!!









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