The history of Dinny the Doll

Dinny the Doll is what most call a topsy turvy doll. She is two dolls in one. Flip her skirts and she becomes a completely different toy. I had a doll like this as a child. It wasn't nearly as fancy, but it kept me entertained on many a rainy afternoon. There is just something magical about finding a different doll under the skirts of the other.
Dinny was challenging to me. I thought she would not be as difficult as she was. I had this in my mind for some time, and had drafted it over and over before I set about making the pattern. Even then, the first version of a topsy turvy doll became my cat's toy after seeing it's alien shaped head and bizarre giraffe neck. And those were the good points of it. But that horrible dolly taught me what I needed to learn to make Dinny.
Her dress bodice is actually sewn to her body, as well as her jewelry. Her hair is individually tied in place. I tried several different ways of doing her hair after researching it. I was hoping to do the faster version where you sew a wig and then apply it, but it left bare places showing, and Dinny does not have early baldness! So the hair was the longest venture once I found a method I liked because I wanted her to have thick hair. So at least 3 hours was spent threading and knotting strands of hair to her head.
I think Dinny turned out well, and I do believe that she will have some neighbors and friends join her. They may be a bit differently made than Denny, but that's okay. Just because you're different doesn't mean you're not beautiful!

The life and times of Dinny the Doll

Meet Dinny. She is one hard working girl. All day long she scrubs and cleans and dusts for her employer, the owner of the bank in town. He, his wife, and his three children keep Dinny so busy that she scarecely has time to pursue what matters most to her. Dinny has a dream. And that dream is to be a famous singer. Opera singer to be exact.For three hours each night, after having cleaned the supper plates and tucked the children into bed, Dinny practices singing. Scales up and down, arpeggios, and her favorite part, pieces that she has heard at the opera house when she was able to save enough to buy a ticket. She knows what she will look like. She will wear a red dress, a black capelet, and have a ruby necklace and matching ring. For now, Dinny must continue to clean and dust and sweep, but perhaps someday, she will command audiences with her beautiful voice.