Two Marinas

There are two distinctly different Sasha dolls known as Marina. The Early English Sasha dolls are often referred to by their original clothing, in this case a sailor or "Marina" outfit. These dolls were produced from 1981 to 1986. The later Gotz dolls were given unique names, and their similarly-dressed girls are named Marina. They were produced in 1999 and 2000.

I call my 1980's brunette Cindy. She was purchased nude, and I have no idea of her history. She may or may not have been a "Marina" as she could also have been a "Red Pinafore" or "Dancing Dress" (the other brunettes from the same time period). I found her an original "Marina" outfit and have dressed her as such for these photos with my Gotz Marina.

The dolls themselves are quite different. Gotz Marina is a green-eyed redhead with freckles, while English "Marina" is a brown-eyed brunette who is considerably taller (as is the case with most of the dolls from the 80's). They both wear navy blue and white sailor outfits, but with the top and skirt colors swapped. Gotz Marina has a tie with long tails attached to her collar and low ankle socks, while English "Marina" has a tie with short tails around her neck and tall knee socks. Their shoes are completely different styles; Gotz Marina wears blue ankle-strap shoes, while English "Marina" wears black laced shoes.

I think they look marvelous together:

Blonde No Navel Duo

I've introduced two blonde no-navels so far, and thought it might be fun to show them together for comparison. Liesel is a blue-eyed blonde from 1970 and Lucinda is a brown-eyed blonde from 1969.


It's lovely spring weather here, so they've changed into jumpers designed and made by Peggy Trauger. I won the embroidered "flying kite" jumper at the 2009 Sasha Festival, while the painted "watering flowers" jumper came from the collection of Audrey Femmer.

Pattern Resources

Because members of the online Sasha community have had problems receiving patterns from a-pattern-company-that-shall-not-be-named, I thought it might be helpful to post about other pattern resources. There have been many patterns created/published in the roughly 45 years since Sasha dolls were first produced. Many of these patterns are no longer available, except in the second-hand market. This post will be limited to information about patterns that are still "in print" (or at least still available from their designers), both for sewing and knitting. I've labeled this post to make it easy to find when it's no longer the most recent. Simply find the LABELS section in the left sidebar, then click on patterns.


Most website links listed here can also be found individually in the sidebar.

• Designs By Judi - sewing patterns for Sasha, Gregor, Baby, and Toddler.
• The Doll Carriage / Denise Ortakales - sold as a packet of the 30 remaining patterns (US buyers only).
• The Doll Works - knitting patterns for Sasha and Gregor, as well as yarn and buttons.
• Friends of Sasha - at least one pattern per issue. Back issues from 1996-2005 are still available in complete yearly sets from Dorisanne Osborn. *** Click here to see Friends Of Sasha Pattern List 1996-2005 ***
• Grandma's Emporia - UK eBay shop with both knitting and sewing patterns (ships worldwide).
• Marcy Street Patterns - two pattern books (Knitting Patterns From Marcy Street, and Sewing Patterns For Sasha Baby) available from Ann Chandler.
• Patchwork Pansy - sewing patterns for Sasha.
• Peggy Trauger Doll Patterns - sewing patterns for Sasha (16" Doll) and Baby (12" Doll).
• Sasha Knitting (was Cuddy Lugs) - knitting patterns for Sasha, Gregor, Baby, and Toddler, as well as yarn and accessories.
• Simply Grace Designs - sewing e-patterns for Sasha, Gregor, Baby, and Toddler.
• SiriKind - knitting patterns and kits, several of which can be made to fit Sasha.
• Susan Kramer Free Doll Clothes Patterns - three patterns that fit Sasha: Bodysuit, Short and Long Sleeve Dress, and Sleeveless Dress. Click on the picture of Sasha at the top of the page for the bodysuit pattern and links to the other two patterns.
• Susanna Lewis Knitting Kits - kits with yarn and instructions for Sasha and Gregor; patterns and yarn also available separately.
• Susanna Lewis Knitting Patterns - both hand and machine knitting patterns for Sasha, Gregor, and Baby.
• wee me designs - previously a stand-alone site selling sewing e-patterns, in the process of transitioning to an Etsy shop.

Peggy Trauger Patterns

I received an email from Peggy Trauger's grand-daughter Danielle earlier this week. For a school project, she designed a website for her mother to help sell Peggy's patterns. The website is a work in progress, but up and running: Peggy Trauger Doll Patterns. I've added it to my LINKS section in the left sidebar for future reference.


I just visited the website and placed an order for several patterns. I may have to go back and order more, as there are plenty of tempting choices.

7/6/12 - ETA: Sadly, this website no longer exists.

Meet Liesel

It was late afternoon by the time I got around to taking pictures today. Fortunately there was enough light left, as I really wanted to introduce another doll this weekend. Liesel is my fifth Gotz no-navel, purchased from another collector who shares a fondness for these unique girls.


She is blonde like Lucinda, but with very different eyes. Lucinda has brown eyes in the 1969 style (with heavier brows), while Liesel has blue eyes in the 1970 style. She is wearing her original blue cord dress, which matches her eyes nicely.


While she doesn't really have a full center part, her hair styles nicely into braids. I love how innocent she looks.

Bedroom Furniture

Boo received bedroom furniture for Calla and Rose at Christmas, specifically an armoire and bunk bed (that can be separated into single beds). They were handcrafted and hand painted by the folks at Buchmanns Toymaker Shop.


The armoire is now stuffed full of clothes, with shoes and socks in the drawer.


The bunk bed is more suitable than the baby doll bed they used to share, and fits them well. Here Calla wears her Nellie Rose pajamas and Dollydetroit slippers, while Rose has on a Euro Girl nightgown and slippers.


I wonder if they argued over who got to sleep on the top bunk.

Girls With Curls

I didn't find time to take pictures for my planned post, so I decided to share another picture of Boo with Sara. Today was rainy, and high humidity always makes Boo's hair curl-o-rific. She was exceptionally cute when I picked her up from school, and more than willing to pose for another picture with the "soft-haired doll".

Meet Sara

This adorable little girl began life as a Gotz Toddler Claudius from 2001. S/he was given a complete re-root with auburn mohair by Bettina, and transformed into Sarah. I kept the name, but changed the spelling to Sara to avoid confusion with my other Gotz Sarah (or "Sarah with an H" as she's now known). Sara came to me wearing this sweet outfit, carrying her Christmas stocking and a special bag (made from the mohair that was combed out during the rooting and styling process, then spun and crocheted).


She has the most marvelous wavy hair, like Boo's but thicker and not as unruly. I am smitten!



She agreed to put down her stocking in exchange for a Valentine ...


... make that two Valentines. She drives a hard bargain, resembling Boo in yet another way.


Speaking of Boo, she is enamored with Sara's "soft" hair. What a cute pair!

Happy Valentine's Day

I printed out Ted's Valentines today, and Boo made a couple for Calla and Rose. She selected party dresses for them to wear (both are EuroGirl fashions), and insisted on their ruffled socks and black shoes. That's Boo's idea of dressy footwear (her black shoes are off in the picture, but you can see a glimpse of her ruffled socks).


She found the stick-on jewel stashed with our temporary tattoos earlier in the day. If there had been three, I think the dolls would be wearing bindis too.

Lederhosen

Wow! Jean Jensen is an amazing craftsman, and I feel privileged to own two sets of her handmade lederhosen. They arrived recently and I am tickled pink. Ziggy and Star remind me of Hansel and Gretel, though Boo says Hansel didn't wear an ant shirt.


Pictures don't do these justice. Not only are they incredibly soft, but all of the teeny-tiny buttons are functional.


I'm going to have a hard time convincing them to change out of these outfits. And I think a couple of the no-navel girls that share their shelf are already envious.

UPDATE: Boo is right, Hansel didn't wear an ant shirt. Jean told me via email that the ant shirt was meant for the girl. In my excitement to get them dressed, I didn't pay enough attention to which pieces were packaged together.