"Miranda"
a non-fictional story about a childhood doll
by Patricia L. Cummings
My favorite childhood doll
In June, I was asked by Madonna Dríes Christensen if I would like to contribute a story about a memorable childhood doll for her book. Royalties will go to the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. I sent the following story. As soon as ordering information is available, I will post it, for the book, Dolls Remembered, that has more than 50 contributors.
Miranda
My favorite childhood doll did not have a name. With delicate features and molded red hair, her blue eyes that were rimmed with long, painted, lower lashes, bespoke a tenderness and a wisdom beyond her years. She was tiny, just six inches tall, while sitting. Her thin, painted eyebrows and her rosy-red lips, made her look “older,” as if she tweezed her eyebrows and wore lipstick.
This was a doll that my mother placed on her high bureau, out of my reach, and told me that the naked doll was “too good to play with.” I always felt sorry for this doll who had no name and no clothes.
I had never sewn a piece of clothing in my life but I asked my mother for a needle and thread, and with an old scrap of plain, turquoise cloth, that my mother had bought at a yard sale for no particular purpose, I amazed myself by figuring out how to draft a pattern on paper, and then sew the seams so they were on the inside of the garment. This was quite an accomplishment for a little kid of about 7 or 8 years old. My mother had no clue as to how to sew anything, by hand or machine, although she did embroider. I take that back. Mother could sew on buttons!
For years, this little doll, continued to sit on the bureau. The work of making her an outfit carried no weight in my mother's eyes for transfer of ownership. She claimed all rights to the doll, plain and simple. Not until my early 50s did I obtain this beloved treasure to which I was forbidden very much access, during my childhood.
In the meantime, I had learned how to embroider, sew, and quilt. Once the doll was truly “mine,” I decided to make a more fitting dress for her. She needed a name! I call her “Miranda.” With a small print calico with floral and bird motifs, I sewed her a new dress, with a lace neckline and lace around the sleeves. Unfortunately, I simply threw away my childhood creation for her, deeming it unworthy by my higher standards today. Baby Miranda still has nothing on her feet. Perhaps some day, I will knit her some booties, or fashion something else to cover her feet.
A few years ago, the elastic gave way that holds her arms and legs to her body. My husband and I took Miranda to the Doll Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire, where a very competent “surgeon” fixed her up, in no time. While there, I spotted a doll-size Christian cross. I had never seen any piece of jewelry so tiny and so precious! I thought it fitting to buy the necklace for her. In so doing, I couldn't help but remember my own strict, religious upbringing. However, most of all, I recalled my own childhood innocence that she now represents.
This doll and I have seen many years together. Whenever I look at Miranda, it is like greeting an old friend. My mother was right. This doll is fragile and not a good playmate for a little child to toss around. Rather, she is a miniature piece of art, the vision of a creative dollmaker, and for me, a representation of love from a child who just wanted her to have clothes.
Some actions are borne of necessity. This first sewing experience in creating attire helped to lead me on a personal journey to become a quilter and a professional quilt history writer. When we have come so far from where we were, it is always good to consider our roots. As I pen these words, I recall my dear mother, now departed from this earth. She loved dolls. I hope there are some dolls in heaven.
Patricia L. Cummings
June 6, 2009
Note: A pattern is available for the "Adorable Puppies" miniature quilt. $8.75 includes shipping, to all U.S. addresses. For more information, please contact pat@quiltersmuse.com or click on this Paypal button to order.
"Patti," as a "kid."
The late Elizabeth V. Grace, Patti's mother, in a portrait taken circa 1979.
Biography
Patricia Cummings is the owner of Quilter's Muse Publications, of Concord, New Hampshire, that publishes quilt books and patterns. She grew up in the Granite State, and graduated cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in Education. She studied at the University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain in 1972-1973, and earned a certificate of sobresaliente for her work. She was elected as a member of Sigma Delta Pi, a collegiate organization that recognizes excellence in Spanish language abilities. She did graduate work in Education at Chapman College and Notre Dame College in Manchester, NH, and participated in a graduate course titled, “The History of Quilts,” the first year it was offered at the University of Nebraska as a distance learning course.
Patricia has worked as a teacher, in many different venues. Her official teaching certificate qualifies her to teach grades 7-12, but she has also taught at the college level, and continues to present lectures on a wide array of topics related to textiles. She has served as a columnist for “The Quilter” magazine for ten years, and has been published in other magazines.
Her husband, James, provides all of the photography to illustrate her writings. The couple lives in Concord, New Hampshire where they divide their time between various creative efforts, especially quilting, and the preparation of articles and photos for publication. Together, they have built a huge, educational website that offers information of all sorts, and to which they are constantly adding new files.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Patricia L. Cummings, Concord, NH. pat@quiltersmuse.com