“MOTHERS AROUND THE WORLD”
La Leche League Doll Collection
Introduction
A collection of professionally hand-made dolls, representing every country or area La Leche League (LLL) had a presence in at that time, was presented to La Leche League International by LLL Leader Nadine Bowlus in celebration of its 25th Anniversary, in July 1981. She designed and created each doll grouping. She named the collection “Mothers Around the World.”
The LLL Doll Collection of 49 dolls vignettes was displayed at the LLLI Conference that year in Chicago, IL USA. Later the dolls were on permanent display at the LLLI offices, first in Franklin Park, IL USA, and later in Schaumburg, IL USA.
Nadine Bowlus was a La Leche League Leader and a master seamstress. She said it took her nine months to make the 49 dolls. La Leche League is an organization that helps parents learn about breastfeeding; and childbirth, nutrition, and gentle parenting. Nadine Bowlus created the LLL Doll Collection to promote breastfeeding while incorporating the other topics. The Internet did not exist when Nadine Bowlus researched the traditional costumes worn by the dolls. She made numerous trips to the library with her youngest, her four year old son, to collect research information.
Nadine Bowlus explains what the Doll Collection means to her.
She writes:
The dolls are meant to be a synthesis of a mother’s experiences and insight. Many hours of research, plus a lot of time and love, went into the process of creating them. Each of the dolls took on her own personality somewhere between the time I cut the fabric and the time I added the final touches. All of them are my friends. We’ve laughed and cried and worked together. To me they represent the common experiences of mothers through the ages all over the world. Mothers, in my opinion, have a very close and special relationship with the Creator. I’m proud to be a mother. I hope you are too.
Now that you have met La Leche League’s “Mothers Around the World.” I hope they have become your friends as they became mine. For they really do represent your friends, your neighbors, your families, and all those who share with us the experience and adventures of motherhood.
LLLove,
Nadine C. Bowlus
Technical Specifications and Information
The Doll Collection of 49 doll vignettes, was made by La Leche League Leader Nadine Bowlus. The collection was made for, and displayed at, the 25th Anniversary of La Leche League for their International Conference in 1981. The 49 doll vignettes show every country or area LLL had a presence in at that time in history, thus the name of the collection “Mothers Around the World.”
Patterns for dolls, and some clothing items, came from The Doll Book, by Estelle Ansley Worrell. Nadine used some tricks she learned from other doll patterns to create more realistic buttocks and breasts. Other costume books by Ruth Turner Wilcox were also helpful. Drawings she found helped with cutting fabric and doll construction.
Because computers were not available in 1980, encyclopedias and National Geographic magazine were used frequently. Photographs helped with poses, colors, and atmosphere. Nadine said she and her 4 year-old son made many visits to the library to do research for ideas for the dolls vignettes.
The dolls were made of cotton and cotton-blend fabrics, and stuffed with polyester fiberfill. When the bodies were sewn darts were used to make the hands and feet. Faces were embroidered. Small beads were used to provide noses. If she intended the pose to show the baby/toddler nursing, she used the socket part of a small snap to make the baby or toddler’s mouth, and the other part of the snap to make the mother’s nipple.
Small wooden plaques from the craft shop were used for the bases, and wooden dowels drilled into the bases provided the “backbone” to support the dolls that are standing. Accessories for the settings also came from a craft shop. The particular shop she used stocked items for folks who had or made dollhouses, which was very useful.
She started work on the dolls in 1980 when she and her family were still living in Jackson, Mississippi USA. She worked on the dolls fairly steadily in spite of a move to Painesville, Ohio USA in 1981, about midway through the project.
Since it took about nine months to complete the set, she always said that the dolls were her baby for that year. At that time her older son was 8, and in the third grade. Her younger son was 4, and Nadine said he was very good about providing her with reasons to take breaks from sewing! Later, because Nadine was a master seamstress, she was commissioned to make other dolls. But she does not take orders any more. She once made a full crèche doll scene, and she said naturally Jesus was nursing! Later on Nadine went on to become a college biology teacher and a technical writer. She is now retired and tells us that she is loving every minute of being a grandmother.
As part of the formal presentation of the dolls at the 1981 La Leche League Conference, she also made a grouping of dolls representing the picnic where the idea for La Leche League was born. The grouping was presented to the Founding Mothers.
Information provided by Nadine Bowlus, LLL Leader
Additional Information:
+ La Leche League is an organization that helps parents learn about breastfeeding, and also childbirth, nutrition, and gentle parenting. Ten of the 49 doll vignettes portray nursing mothers. The other 39 vignettes show mothers in many common mothering situations. Two mothers are pregnant, other mothers and their children go through common childhood experiences. One mother is preparing to become a new La Leche League Leader. Also portrayed is a mother-of-the bride on her grown daughter’s wedding day, and another mother is posed later in life as a proud grandmother.
+ Later 15 inch tall clear custom-made acrylic plastic boxes were made for all 49 dolls in the Doll Collection. These boxes were helpful in preserving the doll fabrics over the years. The boxes also made stacking and displaying the dolls easier.
+ Sadly the dolls from Australia and Zimbabwe have been lost from the Doll Collection.
If anyone knows where they are please contact the LLL of Lombard, IL USA group.
[email protected]
List of dolls
1. Arabian Gulf
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Bahamas
6. Barbados
7. Belgium
8. Brazil
9. Canada
10. Colombia
11. Denmark
12. England
13. France
14. Gabon
15. Germany
16. Ghana
17. Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg
18. Greece
19. Guam
20. Guatemala
21. Honduras
22. Hong Kong
23. Iceland
24. Indonesia
25. Ireland
26. Israel
27. Italy
28. Japan
29. Kenya
30. Korea
31. Marshall Islands
32. Mexico
33. Morocco
34. Netherlands
35. New Guinea
36. New Zealand
37. Norway
38. Okinawa
39. Panama
40. Puerto Rico
41. Saudi Arabia
42. Scotland
43. South Africa
44. Switzerland
45. Taiwan
46. Trinidad
47. USA
48. Virgin Islands
49. Zimbabwe
Descriptions of the Dolls by the Artist
Arab Gulf (Persian Gulf)
“Mothers Need Hugs, Too…”
This child is hugging the mother doll, showing that mothers need hugs too! This doll owes her gorgeous veil to a good LLL friend in Mississippi USA. I found the gold spangled fabric in a box of scraps she had given to me. Imagine that you are peeping through a window into a house. If the mother were on the street she would be completely veiled like the mother from Saudi Arabia.
The Arab Gulf (Persian Gulf) has a special family connection for me. One of my aunts served for many years as a nurse-midwife in a maternity hospital in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. She gave the mothers LLL materials in Arabic.
Argentina
“They Grow Up So Fast…”
The mother doll is standing with her older child, and this helps us remember how quickly they grow up. When you think of Argentina, you think of the gauchos. So I thought this doll would not be hard to dress. But have you ever seen a picture of a gaucho’s mother, wife, or sister?
Even National Geographic magazine failed me here. This mother’s costume came from scattered images in at least a half-dozen books. She is more of a stereotype than an authentic representation. But what she has to say is the important thing: little ones do grow up so fast!
Australia
“Marsupial Mothering Just Comes Naturally…”
The mother doll is holding her baby in a sling. The baby is looking out like a kangaroo’s joey. When I think of Australia, I just naturally think of marsupials. This LLL mother proudly represents “marsupial mothering.” She must be one of those radical nursing mothers! Her freckles make me think of my red-headed brother, who always “freckles” instead of tanning. She must be descended from some of the Scottish convicts who were shipped off to Australia many years ago!
Austria
“Momma, Can I Take Him Home?”
The child in this vignette is showing his mother a turtle he has found and wants to take home. This doll reminds me of Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music.” Little boys and turtles seem to find each other in every part of the world, much to a mother’s dismay!
Bahamas
“Summer Fun for Number One…”
This mother is pregnant with her second child, and using a copper bucket to cool her first child with water. I had a cute copper bucket that I wanted to use, so why not pour water on a toddler’s head to while away a summer afternoon while we wait for the birth of child number two?
Barbados
“Pattycake, Pattycake…”
Mother is playing pattycake with her daughter. I copied this dress from a picture of a Barbadian woman sitting on a log with all of her worldly possessions wrapped in a bandanna at her feet. The idea for the activity came from hours of playing “pattycake” with my younger siblings and my own two boys.
Belgium
“Preparing for LLL Leadership…”
The mother is standing, and holding her baby and a pamphlet. This doll represents another link in the chain of mother-to-mother support that LLL stands for. She is reading the French version of “Becoming a La Leche League Leader.”
Her bonnet was copied from pictures of Brussels lace makers. What better way to advertise your craft than to use plenty of lace on your bonnet and your baby’s clothing? And what fun it was to copy this tradition!
Brazil
“Dreams of Pele and Soccer Teams…”
Mother is standing next to her child, who is wearing a soccer uniform and holding a soccer ball. Soccer was the most unifying quality I could find about Brazil, which is a large diverse country. Since my dolls look best with traditional costumes and not soccer uniforms, I searched for pictures of mothers from the various populated regions. This one seemed to be the most interesting type of costume I could find. An autographed soccer ball from Pele, a happy little boy, and a proud mama - what more could you ask for? By the way, did you know that Pele was a breastfed baby?
Canada
“A Friend in the Night…”
The mother doll is walking the floor with her baby. Canada is a large diverse country with a multi-national heritage. It would be rather hard to portray all of that with one doll! For Canada, and for other countries with diverse populations, I decided to portray a common experience of motherhood. Many babies normally nurse to calm themselves, but sometimes they don’t want to nurse. Which one of us has not paced the floor for long hours of the night with an unhappy baby on our shoulder?
Colombia
“Welcome to Your La Leche League Meeting…”
The mother is carrying her baby on her hip, and holding a LLL meeting handout. This doll representing Colombia was my third re-do! Out of 49 dolls, that’s not too bad! I was working from a black and white photo at first and later I saw a color photo that showed the very distinct traditional color schemes. So I started all over again! This mother’s sandals are braided raffia; some of the other dolls have crocheted raffia sandals. This mother is holding a Spanish version of the first LLL meeting handout.
Denmark
“Wheee…”
Mother is holding her baby away from her, and preparing to “fly” him around! My mother was impressed with the bright clothes used to dress the babies in Denmark. This baby inherited its suit from a t-shirt made by my mother that was worn, worn, and worn again by my two babies! “Flying” was another of our favorite games, as long as my arms held out!
England
“Turn Around and She’s Grown…”
The mother doll is the mother of the bride, and her daughter is the bride. As soon as the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana was announced, I knew that the English dolls would depict a bride and her mother. I love weddings and bridal gowns! I found some beautiful pleated lace trim at the fabric shop. Like all brides, this one is beautiful! She has one of the prettiest faces I’ve ever done! The English dolls mark a special rite of passage for a mother: the time when a mother passes her light and wisdom on to the next generation.
France
“Twins in Trouble—or Headache #537…”
A standing mother doll is looking over her seated twins who appear to have gotten into a bowl of dough! These twins are dynamite! Mother only turned around to get the rolling pin, and look at the mischief they have gotten into! Do all little boys go through the summer with scraped and bruised legs? Mine certainly do! This mother’s red bow indicates her Catholic heritage; if she were Protestant, her bow would be black.
Gabon
“Mother and Baby Together at the Market…”
The mother doll is seated, and her toddler is sitting on her lap and nursing. This was a common pose in the books I searched in my research. Nursing a child is an accepted and normal part of a mother’s workday in Gabon and many other countries.
Germany
“The First Day of School…”
Mother is standing and wiping a tear from her eye, and her daughter is standing next to her holding a huge paper cone. The idea for this pose came from an article in my son’s “Weekly Reader” about the first day of school in some parts of Germany. The children are “fortified” for the traumatic experience with a huge paper cone filled with candies, flowers, and little toys. Mother’s tears tell us she will be missing her little one at school. I’ve had the fabric for the mother’s dress for a long time, just waiting for the right place to use it. In the area of the Black Forest in Germany, black hat pompoms indicate a married lady.
Ghana
“To Market, to Market - Mother and Baby Are Together…”
Mother is standing, wearing her baby in a sling on her back, and carrying a wooden bowl on her head. The Ghana doll was the first African doll I made. She presented the same problem that all the other African dolls did—finding small-scale printed fabric that looked like the bold bright cloth used by African women. I found a picture of a mother in a pose almost identical to this one, except the mother was carrying a huge water jug. Jewelry findings, and wooden bowls from the craft store, add to the atmosphere.
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
“Bedtime’s the Same All Over the World…”
This mother doll is seated and nursing her baby to sleep, an activity breastfeeding mothers do all over the world. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is so small no one photographs it, apparently. The closest I could get were photos of the Belgian province to the north, where this costume came from. The mother’s skirt is made from scraps left over from a shirt I am making for my husband.
Greece
“Pony Boy, Pony Boy…”
Mother is seated, and her little boy is bouncing on her leg and playing Horsey. I found this mother and her little boy in two separate color pictures. Then I went searching for the trims for the mother’s apron and the hem of her dress. For the mother’s veil I used some black chiffon that my sister had given me years ago from her dress. In the picture the little boy was wearing quilted boots, so my little boy does too. Playing “Horsey” was another of our favorite games when my boys were small!
Guam
“Time for a Change…”
The mother doll is seated, and holding her baby on her lap. This was the last set of dolls I put together for this series. I learned a lot of tricks from the other 48 dolls! This one has the most elaborately posed baby. I realized that I had shown almost all aspects of motherhood except the most common and frequently repeated task of changing diapers! Guam was settled by a mixture of Spanish and Filipino people; their national costume resembles the butterfly-sleeved costume from the Philippines.
Guatemala
“Life Is Better When Mom Is There…”
The mother doll is standing, carrying a bundle on her head, and wearing her baby in a front sling. This mother doll was dressed twice! After searching and searching for color pictures of Guatemalan women, I found the one I wanted to use after the doll was dressed! Well, I knew the original costume wasn’t right, so I went back to the sewing machine. Sometimes I could not find the right pattern in a fabric so I would create the pattern I needed. This baby’s sling is an example of that. It is made from black dotted fabric and I added the red lines with a felt-tip marker. (Note: Over the years the red sling lines drawn by the La Leche League Leader/artist, Nadine Bowlus, have faded to a salmon/pink color.)
Honduras
“Baby Goes to Market, Too…”
Mother is standing, and holding her baby in a rebozo shawl/sling. In mother’s hand is her market bag. I must have looked at hundreds of pictures during my research for this doll. I found one that showed a group of women crossing a river on their way to the market. All of them had bundles on their heads or tied in their rebozos. One older woman had turned to offer a helping hand to a young girl with a tiny bundle wrapped in her rebozo. Something about their interaction convinced me that the young girl was carrying a newborn. Thus the pose for this doll was born.
Hong Kong
“Mother’s in the Kitchen…”
This mother doll is seated, and stirring a bowl of rice. Her baby is in a carrier on her back. One of the first things I made for my soon-to-be first son was a May-Tie baby carrier from the directions in the La Leche League Baby Carrier Packet. (Note: That item was sold in the LLL Catalog at that time. That type of baby carrier is now referred to as a Meh Dai.) On this Hong Kong mother doll the baby carrier has an added sun shade. The Chinese also use an interesting seatless coverall for the toddler who is not yet potty trained, but I never did figure out how that works!
Iceland
“I’m Nursing My Baby, too…”
The mother is standing and looking at her seated daughter who is nursing her doll! We learn by doing what we see others do. My mother breastfed her dolls because her mother breastfed her younger sisters! I remember watching my mother nurse my youngest brother, but most of the feedings I remember were by bottle. I bottle-fed my dolls, but I breastfed my sons with the help of La Leche League. This young daughter has obviously been observing and learning from the best “role model,” her own mother.
Indonesia
“Moving Day…”
This mother is standing, wearing her baby in a sling, and nursing her baby. This mother has one less thing to worry about on moving day. It seemed so convenient and natural to pose the dolls this way, then later I heard an Indonesian Leader describe the use of a shoulder sling and a standing nursing position that was common in her culture! I was delighted! Remember the fabric in the (Netherlands) Dutch mother’s jacket? Here it is again used in this mother’s skirt.
Ireland
“Peek-a-Boo…”
Mother is standing and holding her baby in her shawl. She is using the corner of her shawl to play “peek!” Woolens, tweeds, lace, and green come to mind when I think of Ireland. A favorite pair of pants, now unhappily moth-eaten, contributed to this mother’s shawl. Peek-a-boo seems to be another of those universal games used to entertain babies in all parts of the world! Mothers and babies always enjoy it!
Israel
“Do Not Disturb…”
Mother is seated next to a park fence, and nursing her baby. This “sabra” mother has paused in her work to take a “nursing break,” a practice that needs to be encouraged!
I found the fence in my son’s toy box. This doll took shape while I was attending a La Leche League meeting, so she has been well-indoctrinated.
Italy
“I Think We Can Fix Your Doll…”
Mother is standing, and her child is next to her crying and showing her his broken toy. Where do children go when toys get broken and life gets tough? To mother, of course! And mother does her best to make things better. This costume came from an old UNICEF publication that my mother found when she was cleaning out a closet. This doll insisted on looking to her left in spite of all my efforts to turn her head the other way. Maybe she could see the damage better in that light!
Japan
“To Market, to Market…”
Mother is standing and wearing her baby in a back carrier. The fan print fabric on this mother’s kimono was a lucky find on the sale table at a local fabric shop. The May-tie carriers used in Japan are often beautifully padded and quilted. (Note: this type of carrier is now called a Meh Dai.) I have even seen photos of an overwrap that fit over the May-tie (Meh Dai) to keep baby warm. I crocheted the mother’s shopping bag and made the “getas” out of balsa and soutache braid.
Kenya
“ When Toddlers Need Comfort…”
Mother is standing and hugging her toddler. Toddlers need comfort everywhere, and mothers are there to provide it. The Kenyan national costume has a very interesting diagonally draped skirt under a peplumed blouse. Would you believe that both of these items came from the same piece of fabric? Too bad it doesn’t work that way on full-scale clothing!
Korea
“Wash Day Is Done…”
Mother is standing and holding a wooden bowl of laundry. She is wearing her baby in a belt sling. The Korean version of the baby carrier looks like a modified belt. Tradition reserves bright colors for babies and children. As a person moves through the various ages and stages of life their life, their clothing colors become paler and paler until one reaches honored old age and wears snowy white clothing. This doll’s costume with a high-waisted skirt and short jacket is a natural for breastfeeding. Looks like this mother could use a nap after doing all the laundry by hand!
Marshall Islands
“Someone’s Come Between Us…”
Mother and Father are hugging, and a toddler is standing between them! I made this family grouping just before Father’s Day in 1981. It is my way of saying “Thank you” to my husband for all his love, patience, and sense of humor. And it is my tribute to all the other husbands and fathers the world over who make the adventure of motherhood possible!
Mexico
“Siesta Time for Toddler and Mother…”
Mother is seated and nursing her child. The hallmark of a Mexican mother is the rebozo she uses to carry her baby. It is an ancient tradition, using a type of shawl that dates back to the Mayan and Aztec cultures. I found this mother’s rebozo in a remnant box and her skirt in a quilt supply shop. One of the advantages of nursing a toddler is that you both get to take a rest together!
Morocco
“Mother’s Helper…”
Mother is holding a loaf of bread, and her child is next to her holding a bag of groceries. I found the costume books by Ruth Turner Wilcox to be most helpful in many instances, but particularly for this doll. The only photo I had showed a mother who was seated. Wilcox’s drawings showed the woman’s costume full length. I found that photos were great sources for poses, color, and atmosphere, but drawings were more helpful for cutting and construction details. Please note this mother’s Moroccan leather shoes.
Netherlands
“Motherrr…”
Mother is standing and kissing the top of her son’s hat. This boy is one of my favorites because he is at the same stage as my older son who is totally embarrassed by female “mushiness.” But when he gives his mother flowers, what else does he expect? In my research, I found that coral beads play an important role in traditional dress in the Netherlands. Different areas use different size beads, more or fewer strands, round or square clasps that close in front or back. There are endless variations, yet many similarities and connections exist as well. For instance, you will see the fabric in this mother’s jacket again when you see the Indonesian doll. The Dutch colonized Indonesia and imported many things from there, including local fabrics. Note the wooden shoes!
New Guinea
“Bath Time…”
Mother is seated and washing her baby in a little wooden tub. New Guinea is definitely a hot country. I could not find any pictures of babies with clothes on, so I put this little one into a washtub that I happened to have, and the pose was set! If you see the mother doll up close you will notice she has the ritual facial scars that are considered a mark of beauty in this part of the world.
New Zealand
“An M.A.—Mastering the Art of Mothering…”
Mother is standing, and wearing a graduation gown and cap. She is holding her toddler’s hand, and carrying her baby on her hip. I wanted one of the dolls to say something about being “just a mother.” I chose New Zealand because it has a strong, active LLL organization. This doll portrays a mother proud of her career, and growing in knowledge and skill. She is a Master in the Art of Mothering! And she has pretty cute credentials too!
Norway
“Dreaming of Motherhood, Planning for Baby…”
This pregnant woman is standing, and has a baby’s gown draped over her arm. I have more family associations with this doll because my mother’s father’s family came to the USA from Norway in the 1860s. This costume is from the Setesdal region; its flowing lines are rather unique among the usual tightly corseted costumes of Scandinavia. It is a natural for pregnant women! Unfortunately, there are no LLL pamphlets in Norwegian, so this mother is learning about nipple care from the Danish pamphlet she is holding.
Okinawa
“Bang Go the Pot Lids…”
Mother is standing and looking shocked, as her little one is standing next to her holding pot lids! Pot lids are potential noisemakers for every child no matter where they live! Often this brings heart-stopping results! My nine-year-old neighbor immediately recognized the horrified expression on this mother’s face, but it took a little longer for her to figure out the cause.
Panama
“At Work or Play, Mom Is Not Far Away…”
Mother is standing next to her daughter and brushing her daughter’s hair. These dolls were also dressed twice. My first attempt at a “pollera,” the national women’s costume, just wasn’t fancy enough to convey the idea of 36 yards of hand-embroidered, lace-edged ruffles. The flowered headdress also intrigued me. I thought it would be an interesting challenge to try to create it. It was! As I added yet another strategic pin, I hoped with all my heart that I was not giving some poor mother in Panama a headache!
Puerto Rico
“Christening Day…”
Mother is standing and holding her baby who is wearing a Christening gown. With apologies to all the mothers in Puerto Rico, the song that ran through my head as I worked on this doll was the song from “West Side Story” about Puerto Rico! In fact, that song pops into my mind whenever I see this doll! I posed her at the baby’s Christening because I know that religion is very important to families in Puerto Rico as it is for me. To me, religion and motherhood go hand in hand.
Saudi Arabia
“No! I Want to Go This Way…”
Mother is standing and hugging her daughter. National Geographic came to the rescue here. It is not permitted to photograph women in Arab countries. This was not very helpful to my research! Fortunately for me, National Geographic published a timely article on Saudi Arabia that included photos of women both veiled and unveiled. This pose was captured from the photo on the first page of the article.
Scotland
“The Beauty and Serenity of a Highland Madonna…”
Mother is seated and nursing her baby in her lap. When I first saw a drawing of the ancient Arisard, the woman’s plaid costume, I knew I wanted my Scottish doll to wear it! It has more grace and dignity than the usual costume copied from the man’s kilt. And it is so useful, combining blanket, raincoat, and nursing shelter all in one outfit! The mother’s hair ribbons are traditional in the Highlands. To me, this doll captures the beauty and serenity of the nursing couple, so I call her the Highland Madonna.
South Africa
“Weighing In and Having Fun…”
Mother is kneeling, as she tries to weigh her standing son on a scale. Sometimes the pose determined the props but this time the reverse was true. I found a cute ceramic scale at a craft show and decided to use it. I don’t know how it is at your house, but my boys dissolve into giggling fits whenever I want to weigh or measure them! This mother’s child is not quite so hard to measure, but he is certainly having fun.
Switzerland
“Schöni Geburtstag, Grossmüti…”
This grandmother is standing as her grandson presents her with a basket. Another part of a mother’s life cycle is watching and enjoying her grandchildren! This grandmother is receiving a gift of sausages and cheese for her birthday. Her bonnet is from the area of Germany near Bern. The originals are made of boiled and starched horsehair lace. They caught my eye at the very beginning of my research. The chain-laced corsets intrigued me, too, though they look very uncomfortable.
Taiwan
“Toddlers Nurse in Their Own Way…”
Mother is seated and nursing her little girl. Toddlers all over the world have been known to nurse in a variety of unique positions! My boys were often very active when they were nursing, sometimes playing with their feet as this little girl is doing! Sometimes I had to hang onto my eyeglasses!
Trinidad
“A Nursing Break in the Flower Market…”
Mother is seated and nursing her baby. This mother doll took shape during President Reagan’s inaugural parade in January 1981. We were watching at a friend’s house and I did not have all of my supplies with me, so she started out without a nose! I had fun combing my favorite craft store for her earrings, the flowers, and the flower holders. The resulting pose speaks for itself!
United States of America
“There’s a Meeting Here Tonight…”
Mother is standing, and nursing her baby, as she prepares to walk into her LLL Meeting. La Leche League began in the USA, and so did I. This doll started with the making of the mother’s sweater; it is made from yarn left over from one of my second son’s toddler sweaters. It was the very first thing I made for the Mothers Around the World collection. Then it was just a matter of picking other fabrics to go with the sweater. I knew she had to have LLL blue somewhere! I like the driveway lamp; the top is an acorn cap.
Virgin Islands
“Storytime…”
Mother is seated, and holding her child in her lap, as they read. After weeks of searching for pictures of the Virgin Islands, the National Geographic came to my rescue with an in-depth article with plenty of photos. The article mentioned that parents in the Virgin Islands stress the importance of education for their children. And so this doll was born!
Zimbabwe
“Time for Winnowing…”
Mother is standing, wearing her baby on her back, and sifting her grain. For Zimbabwe and South Africa, I chose to portray mothers from the majority group. But it was hard to find pictures of women from Zimbabwe. There were plenty of pictures of Victoria Falls, but none of women! This mother, who is sifting or winnowing her grain, is borrowed from Malawi.