Best Pals Kathy Original 16" inch Rag Doll

I searched and searched for a baby-safe rag doll for my daughter, who has become fascinated with dollies and non-verbally vocal about her desire to have one of her own (which is to say, she tries to steal my collectors' edition Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon dolls and screams with rage when I take them from her). For some unfathomable reason, most rag dolls are only safe for older kids, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of it being a cloth doll, right? Because from my experience, older girls want Barbies. I know I did.This doll looks pretty good in the photo, but the image here on Amazon really doesn't represent the beauty and craftsmanship of the actual doll. Each hair is secure (and it's full hair, not a creepy combover) and the braids are satisfyingly chunky. The yarn for the hair is soft, like cotton -- not that skeezy, shiny acrylic one usually gets. The stitching on the doll and the clothing is strong, tight, and thorough -- no ragged or fraying seams. The fabric on the doll and the clothing is heavy, soft, high-quality cotton. The doll's construction appears exceptionally solid -- which is good, because she's in for a lifetime of mauling -- and her stuffing is comfortably heavy and soft. But, best of all, her face is just as sweet as can be. I suppose it's the same face as in the photo, but in person she is even more lovely and you just fall in love with her at first sight. I can't wait to give her to my daughter at Easter.

My husband and I bought this doll for our daughter who will be 9 months old the day after Christmas. We knew we were going to have to take the bracelet off the doll as she could choke if it ever broke, but we didn't realize that her tights were thigh-highs and that her shoes came off as well. Those are super easy fixes, I just hand-sewed them on in a few places that way when she is older I can take the stitching out! The dress isn't as bright of a yellow as pictured, but this is a super cute doll and I highly recommend it! If you are like us and buying it for a child under 1.5, I would recommend a few home adjustments to make it more "little kid friendly" but if the child is in the age range that the toy suggests, you will be all set! We like this product so much, we plan on purchasing all the Best Pals dolls!

This doll, designed by the Lennon Sisters, was for my granddaughter's second birthday. I received a prompt e mail response from the manufacturer that the doll was safe and compliant with the USA "ICTI". (the doll was made in China) ICTI checks a number of areas pertaining to products: quality, safety, humane environmental conditions, etc. I received the doll carefully packaged and undamaged from Amazon.I removed the doll's dress to iron (wrinkled & understandable.) Looking over the doll I found that the yarn hair had not been sewn together along the 'part' of her braids the last 2 1/2" in back. The stitches right below the hair, making her neck, were barely holding. Those stitches appeared to have been sewn by hand with only 1 thread, using an uneven whipstitch, sloppy looking result.I used a doll needle and yarn to pull and fasten the 2 sides of hair together in back so it should hold now. The neck had so little fabric it was not possible to repair/secure that area. The doll's shoes, and her white tights, are cute. But one shoe had the Velcro fastener sewn on the wrong side of the strap. I ripped it out and sewed it on the correct side and now both shoes stay on.The doll's yarn hair is good quality and color and is very full - no skimping there! The dress was ok, made of thin cotton, and required only a few of the sewing threads trimmed. The body, arms, and legs are stuffed just right -- full enough for a child to squeeze but not thin and floppy.My granddaughter likes the doll, as I knew she would. It is cute! I spent a lot of time 're-making' it, but less than making one myself.The workmanship was a big disappointment. Much of the doll is the quality of re-sale shop toys - certainly ok to buy, but needing repair before use.

So thrilled that we had found these modest, well made cloth dolls. Keepsake quality. A throwback to simpler days. Thoughtfully available in several ethnically diverse representations. A true rarity these days, as there is hardly another widely available, traditional cloth doll, that encourages little girls to be just that, little girls! Also purchased Sofia, Lily, Isabelle and Janet! All fantastically made. Hair is secure and is easily unbraided, re-styled and/or braided again. Clothing is excellent quality, easily removable, and many dresses from popular 16-18 inch dolls will fit these dolls as well. However, I would like to see the extra dresses and nightgown by the same manufacturer available from this vendor.Regarding the packaging: Dolls came shipped in a well packed box and they were enclosed in a plastic bag (no individual box). I personally did not find this offensive. If purchasing as a gift, you may need to locate an appropriate box to ease the task of wrapping. Bangs of our dolls hair were kept neat during shipping by virtue of an easily removable strip of plastic wrapping.

I recently purchased this doll for my granddaughter and can't wait to give it to her. She has a sweet face and seems very well made.When I opened the packaging I noticed that the Best Pals bracelet was missing. I contacted the maker and was told they can no longer include the bracelet due to stricter toy safety regulations. I have no problem with this since I can imagine it could be a choking hazard.Just be aware of this change when deciding if you want to purchase the doll.

my four year old daughter LOVES this doll. it has become her new favorite. She never lets it out of her sight. Its easy to clean i just throw it in the washer in gentle cycle. I know some will scream at me for that but i bought this for a four year old that is on the go, out and about, and has no time to stop lol. She loves it and thats all that matters. It reminds me of the soft dolls i had as a child

Really beautiful and well made. A nice antidote to the cheap plastic and overly sexualized dolls you find at Toys R Us. I got it to give to my little girl along with the Little House on the Prairie books, and she just loves it.