SAY HELLO TO GREGOR

Say hello to my newest blonde GREGOR. He was "born" in 1974 and arrived MIB from a very nice eBay seller. His box is a bit worn but still had the punch-outs inside along with his booklet. He was still secured with the original white rubber bands which had not rotted or melted. His only "flaw" is a tiny green spot on one ankle from the snap on his sandal.
Sometimes destiny takes a hand in our adoptions. I was outbid for a similar doll the previous week. I found this charming chap early one morning just minutes after he was listed with a great BIN price. I adopted him on the spot.

GREGOR AS "ROCKY"

Here is GREGOR all dressed up as "ROCKY" and ready to rumble. The boxing gloves were purchased from Shelly in England. The trunks were a birthday gift from Andrea at THE DOLL WORKS.

DOES SIZE MATTER?

My first Sasha dolls were all adopted from "dollsandreams" back in the early 1970s. They all came in tubes and were all the same size.
My second Sasha family was created a few years ago when I decided to replace my first family that was lost in a move to California.
This new family spans several years of Trendon production and so my kids are all different sizes.
On the far left is my new MARINA who is the tallest. On the far right is CALEB who is the shortest. He appears to be as tall as my blonde SASHA but he is just slightly smaller. This range of production sizes has been a favorite topic among collectors and a bit of a problem when attempting to date the "birth" year of a particular doll.
My blonde SASHA is from 1970 and her brother, GREGOR, is from about the same time. The two brunettes are obviously from very different production periods. The PINAFORE has lighter brunette hair and softer coloring. MARINA has very dark hair and brighter coloring as well as a lighter complexion.
I like this new group because they actually resemble the variations that occur with children in real life.
Like MARINA, I was the tallest kid who was "big for my age" and always put in the back row or last in line.

SAY HELLO TO CALEB

Say hello to my new CALEB who came from a wonderful eBay seller. He is an early Caleb with tan suede shoes. He is mint and came with his original box which was a bit shabby from time on a shelf.
I love his face and tight curly hair. Sadly, these photos do not do him justice because he is very dark toned and photo lights do not really illuminate his handsome face.

MY BLONDE TWINS

I first began collecting Sasha dolls in the early 1970s when I discovered them playing in the window of "dollsandreams -- a toy shop in New York City. It all began with a brunette Gregor who looked like my son, but quickly escalated into an obsession that ended up with my little family becoming extended into over a hundred "kids"
Sadly, none of them survived our move to California and several years ago I rediscovered Sasha dolls on eBay. Since that time I have found many look-alike dolls that resemble my first family.

Here are pictures of my original blonde twins (top photo) and my new twins (middle and bottom photos) I think the new girls really resemble my first twins. One of the new girls came from Shelly in England and the other one came from Kelly in America. Of course both originated in England, but now they are reunited.

I am still searching for the elusive brunette Sasha that will resemble my first family brunette. I think we should all have a wish list, so I will continue my quest.

Meanwhile, all the new kids are getting to know one another.

HELLO "PINAFORE"

Please welcome my newest Sasha - brunette "Red Pinafore" - who just arrived. She is factory mint and has beautiful hair. I think she is a real charmer.

THE GRANNY DRESS

In the 70s the "Granny Dress" was popular among young girls who favored ironed hair and folk songs.
One of the clever sewers who made dresses for "dollsadreams" created this version as well as dozens of others that were an immediate hit with the young collectors who gathered in the shop every Saturday to play Sasha.

LONG LUSTROUS CURLS

I have designed two new wigs especially for Sasha. Remembering that childhood nursery rhyme -- "There was a little girl with a little curl..." I created this platinum blonde wig called VICKY that has a loose curl falling over one eye. The basic wig has long soft curls that can be combed out and styled easily.
The redhead wig is called SARAH and is a typical schoolgirl look with soft fringe and two curls pulled back from the sides and tied with a blue ribbon. For a more contemporary look you can let these two curls hang free in tendrils framing her face.
These new wigs will come in several colors.

SASHA IN OZ

Sasha has donned her blue gingham dress and red shoes to celebrate the arrival of my new WIZARD OF OZ paper doll book published by Dover.
Sasha is delighted by all the bright colors and her favorite character - The Cowardly Lion.
This is not just a paper doll book but an interactive paper doll book because all the characters have outfits that allow you to reenact the entire story. It is designed so that Dorothy and Toto face all the other characters and can play out all their scenes together.
"Look," says Sasha, "I can see Dorothy throwing water on The Wicked Witch and there is even an outfit of the Witch melting."
The book is $7.00 plus $1.00 for shipping. If you are interested just send an e-mail to SashaStreetNYC@aol.com

ANOTHER VARIATION

Here is the apron wrap dress pattern done as a reversible summer dress. This is a fun and easy variation because you just put two fabrics face to face and sew around the pattern outline -- leaving a small opening to allow turning out. I usually sew the pattern first and then trim away the seam allowance afterwards.
I often play "the fool" where sewing is concerned and I guarantee that this pattern is almost fool proof.
Question: "May I enter more than one design?"
Answer: "Yes - get as creative as you want as often as you want."

ENJOY.

THE APRON WRAP DRESS

There are many different ways to interpret this simple pattern. This version was simply cut out of felt and paired with a striped sweater and an accent buckle. The pattern is almost fool-proof because it is so simple to either sew or cut out.
The challenge is to create something unusual and unexpected using this pattern.
If you have not received the pattern I will send you one to download and print out. Just write to SashaStreetNYC@aol.com

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sometimes it is the simple things in life that are the most fun. A day at the beach with a pail to build a sandcastle is a perfect example. And so is this simple beach romper with a touch of imagination by adding the kangaroo pocket.

SINGING IN THE RAIN

The yellow rain slicker has always been popular with both girls and boys. They were made even more popular when the stars of the film "Singin' in the Rain" splashed their way into everyone's hearts.
The black and white photo is from a late 1970s "dollsandreams" catalog and features a yellow slicker imported from Germany.
The color photo is of the same yellow slicker paired with matching boots also from "dollsandreams" and photographed recently for an eBay auction.
Back then there were not that many outfits available for Sasha dolls and "dollsandreams" was always my favorite source of extra outfits and accessories.

THE GANG'S ALL HERE

I recently found this photograph that I took for one of the "dollsandreams" catalogs. I don't recall if we actually used this image or not but it was fun to shoot. All the dolls are wearing regular Sasha outfits except one blonde who is wearing one of the custom made Granny dresses that the shop commissioned.

A PRAM FOR SASHA

Here is Sasha out for a stroll with her vintage baby pram. These delightful prams are in perfect scale for a Sasha doll -- which is both delightful and unusual. They do not show up very often but if you keep a sharp eye out you might find one on eBay. They are a perfect accessory for your Sasha.

LIFE-SIZE PAPER MODEL

When I first began collecting Sasha dolls in the early 1970s I created a life-size paper model that was easy to roll up and carry with me when I went shopping for doll furniture, accessories, and even fabrics. It was a lot easier than taking an actual doll.
Later I also created a Sasha ruler so that I could measure things and determine if they were in scale.
I have recreated that life-size paper model and ruler for all my Sasha friends. I have also created two sheets of "everyday objects" in scale for your Sasha dolls. These items are in adult size -- not doll size. They are intended to show just how large the adult items would appear to Sasha if she was a human child.
If you would like copies of these four sheets just send an e-mail with the word MODEL in the subject line to SashaStreetNYC@aol.com

ENJOY

SASHA FURNITURE SCALE

Once again Sasha has two choices - one less than Goldilocks - to find the right size chair to sit in.
Generally, a human adult chair seat measures (seat to floor) the same distance as an adult leg from just behind the knee down to the heel. The would be about 17 or 18 inches. If Sasha could bend her knees and sit in a child size chair the measurement from behind the knee to the heel would be about 4 or 5 inches.
Lots of beautiful chairs have been created for American Girl size dolls as well as many for the larger size Asian BJDs who are often 28 to 30 inches tall and would be about the size of a Sasha scale adult.

To be continued...

UNDERSTANDING SCALE

It is often difficult to calculate the true "scale" of any doll. Most toy companies cheat the true scale and use what the industry calls doll scale. If the doll is an adult size, like Barbie or Tyler Wentworth, it is much easier to establish true scale because the real world is based on adult sizes.
When the doll is a child, like Sasha, then finding true scale becomes much more difficult because the child basically lives in an adult size world. So, a Sasha doll has two different scales available -- child size and adult size. Furniture and accessories can come from both worlds. Remember that adult world scale is based on a male figure 6 feet tall. A female would be based on a figure 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Here are two images to help see the two scales or relationships. First we see a doll family created by Helen Kish who sculpts realistic dolls very close to normal human proportions. The adult doll is 28 inches tall and her brunette daughter is 16 inches tall -- about half the size of the adult. The second image is by Tom Tierney who creates many historical family paperdoll books for Dover. Once again we see the child is about half the height of an adult male.
So this means that Sasha probably lives in a world of 28 inch female adults. If you can determine what the size (scale) of furniture and accessories is, then you can determine if it is in scale for a Sasha.
A good example of real scale vs doll scale is the American Girl doll line. Mattel has used doll scale for most of the furniture and accessories. That means it is under scale for the 18 inch American Girl doll but very close to being real scale for a 16 inch Sasha doll.
If you enjoy creating environments for your Sashas then I suggest that you start clipping photographs that show adult figures in a setting. Then you can imagine how your Sasha would fit into the scene - the Sasha will be about half the height of the adult.

To be continued...

BE PREPARED

One of the later Gotz production dolls that caught my eye is "Michel" the boy scout. He has a delightful outfit and accessories and is quite a handsome lad. As I have mentioned before, my favorite Sashas are those from the early 70s when I originally created my first family of dolls. But, every now and then I adopt one of their later cousins.
Michel, like all boy scouts, follows the scout motto of "Be Prepared" and is ready to play with friends, and dispense love and charm.

INNOCENCE

It is hard to resist the innocence of very young children who believe in Santa Claus. That innocence is best captured in the original version of "Miracle on 34th Street" starring the very young Natalie Wood.
Personally I hang on to as much of that child-like innocence as possible by collecting dolls and Teddy Bears as well as working with children in hospitals. Whenever the real adult world gets too harsh I just retreat to that safer space inhabited by dolls and bears.
Christmas is still magical for most children and while many of us long for the good old days, we remember from our own childhood, there is still magic and there is still Santa for the very young.
For many years I used to call the young daughter of my friends in England and do my best HO HO HO for her each Christmas eve. She is grown up now and I rather miss her giggle and her childlike wonder at getting a call from Santa.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening.
In the lane, snow is glistening.
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

NEED MITTENS?

Remember all those kittens who lost their mittens? Karen wants mittens for her Sasha and Gregor dolls so I created a very simple pattern to make them in felt. I made them in yellow so that the seams would show. However, light colors just make them look larger than they look in person. I suggest darker colors.
The pattern has a folded over top edge so that the glove looks finished. The fabric then folds in half and gets one simple outline seam. I double stitched the seam with very close parallel sewing lines. Tight stitches - 15 on my Singer. Then you can very safely cut away the excess fabric creating a 1/16 inch seam allowance. Pattern works for both hands but you need to move the glove around on each hand until it looks natural.
Since the basic pattern is flat you can easily embellish it with embroidery or add a trim at the top. A pom pom on the back of the glove might be fun as well.

If you want this pattern just send an e-mail with the word MITTENS in the subject line to SashaStreetNYC@aol.com

ENJOY

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

The twins are at it again. These fellows do everything possible to be as different from each as they can be.
My friend Erica in New Zealand has knitted two distinctly different sweaters for them. The white one is made from hand-spun local wool and is one of her favorite designs. The striped sweater is a prototype based on the popular striped mohair sweaters of the 1970s.
The boys love their sweaters and are delighted to be wearing them in time for the holidays.

Thank you, Erica, for these terrific holiday gifts.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

This beautiful "London" Sasha is wearing her new bright red duffle coat to go shopping at Hamley's -- London's famous toy store. She has found a delightful stuffed fawn and a Paddington Bear for her younger sister and brother.
Yesterday we watched two of my favorite Christmas films - both set in England. First, the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" and then the more contemporary story told in "Love Actually." Both are filled with the spirit of Christmas.
The British have an interesting way of adopting characters from other countries and making them their own. Sasha was born in Switzerland but was reborn in England. The Teddy Bear was born in America, but the most famous Teddy Bear books, Paddington and Winnie the Pooh, were created in England.

Happy Christmas to our Sasha friends around the globe.