Tasha Tudor was a well known illustrator and lover of dolls. During the 1970s and 1980s, she put her name on a number of reproduction doll kits. Doll making was having a resurgence at the time – many companies had kits available for home doll makers. The Tasha Tudor doll kits were generally based on original dolls from the later 19th century and early 20th century. From what I have been able to find, there were at least a dozen kits available. Some are incredibly difficult to find – whether very few kits were sold or they have just stayed in private collections, it’s hard to say.
I had been wanting a china head doll for a while, but didn’t want to spend the money on an original antique, plus I had visions of using this doll for education, so I started looking on eBay for a reasonably priced china head doll. This is when I met Nell Tudor.
She was actually wearing an orange seersucker when she arrived. This particular doll was made in 1977. The Tasha Tudor method was to put the date on the back of the doll head. This would help future collectors to know more about the provenance of the doll I suppose. Original china head dolls didn’t carry a date but there are some books that can help date those.
I made Nell this dress based on a fashion magazine from 1866.
Some day I will go back to Nell and make another dress because I don’t love love what she is wearing. But, not any time soon!
Next to join my collection was Emma Tudor. Emma is styled as a Highland Mary doll. I always have seen her as a young lady doll, so I made her clothes that way.
This Emma Tudor is from 1974.
Next, from 1976 was a Meg Tudor doll. I bought her as an unmade kit so I could assemble her and make my own mistakes rather than live with someone else’s mistakes. I renamed her Hannah, although her china does still say Meg.
Around about this time, I realized I needed to step up my photography game, so I did a doll photo shoot which you can enjoy.
My next acquisition was Sally Tudor from 1979.
I have seen another doll head that is not a Tasha Tudor but looks exactly like Sally, so I’m guessing it is the doll Sally was modeled on. I see Sally as a 1920s youth, so someday I’ll make her an appropriate outfit.
Julia Tudor from 1973 joined the family next. I recently remade her clothes and she is our 1872 bride.
I found the next doll on Ebay, naked and afraid. Lady Patricia from 1973 has not been dressed yet because I think I need to remake her body. It’s a bit large for her chest plate.
The shape of the chest plate also causes issues. Many china doll chest plates are rounded over the shoulders but open on the sides, allowing them to fit snugly over the body. This doll’s chest plate is shaped over the shoulders, which necessitates a different shape of body.
Still in my TBD list is Trudy Tudor from 1971. It’s interesting that all the previously named dolls had their actual name written on the back of the doll, wheres Trudy is named in the catalog, but her name isn’t on her back.
She also has the shaped chest plate like Lady Patricia, and her hair style is similar to Nell.
This is Dora Tudor, a doll I have two of. One is dated 1972 and one is dated 1974.
Between those two runs, the feet were changed on the dolls. I don’t know if there was any reason except availability of parts. 1972 Dora has ballet flats and 1974 Dora has boots.
This doll is Molly Tudor, dated 1983. She is another Highland Mary doll so I’ll probably make her clothes similar to Emma’s but maybe for a different decade. She looks like a youth to me.
This bonnet head doll is Amy Tudor, dated 1972. She’s just the head at this point and you can read more about her here.
This beauty is Martha Tudor, dated 1978. Martha has gray hair, and of course by association, I immediately thought of Martha Washington. So, Martha is styled in an 18th century robe a l’anglaise. You can read more about that project here.
I recently acquired an Anna Tudor doll kit and I’ve made her body already.
She is another of these dolls with a shaped chest plate, and it was tricky to get her body to fit correctly. I also find it interesting that the name and ID information is inside the chest plate. It makes me wonder how many other dolls out there have the marking on the inside – once the doll is made you can’t see that information.
There are two more of these kit dolls I am aware of but do not own: Danny Boy, a baby doll, and Abby Tudor, a lady doll. As an avid Tasha Tudor kit doll collector, I’m always looking for more information on these lovely objects. If you have a Tasha Tudor doll not listed here, I’d love to hear about her! You can comment below and maybe we can even share a photo of your doll.
Notes from the Melody Maker 