my friend mandy (meets sadie)

My favorite doll growing up was "My Friend Mandy." I loved her so much (although I always wished she was a brunette, like me) and a big reason why she was so special was because I had a lot of clothes for her and my mom sewed a lot of clothes for her too. I had been waiting for the right time to give her to Sadie, which was really stressing me out-- would she like her? Would she play with her? It was almost too much to bear, so I just had to not make a big deal out of it and give her over. This happened on Friday right after I made this little vest and kerchief for her, so Sadie could dress her in clothes her mama made.

Mandy in a red cape sewn by my mom, circa 1978ish. This is one of those childhood toys were every piece of clothing I touch gives me chills. I remember every detail so well and sewing for Mandy for the first time yesterday, for my daughter was so special. I was weepy all day, in the best way. When I got out all her clothes that I had growing up I was so happy to see the red cape is a perfect match-

This is my favorite outfit I had for Mandy. Her camping outfit. She has sneakers but I lost one, so the clogs are on instead. The plaid shirt and backpack kill me. When you bought Mandy's outfits they had sewing patterns as freebies (like there was a pattern to make the camping sleeping bag and tote, which my mom made) Sadie loves Mandy more than I can write about, thank the lord, I was so worried. (I was trying so hard to play it cool) and she especially loves the clogs just as I did. I need to get some just like Mandy's (who knew you could search by color?) I just got black clogs so Sadie is very aware of clogs right now, which is so funny.

I scored this sewing pattern book on ebay last week and am so thrilled because all the patterns my mom had are missing and I sort of freaked out, but now I have more than I know what to do with. And these patterns are so incredibly 1970s, like the kerchief can also be an ascot. ha! I need to get a "my friend" doll for Delia. maybe Becky or Jenny? Not a blonde (but Delia is blonde-so I will have to think abut this.)

* maprons are due the end of the day Tuesday,the 28th. You still have time to make him look good!
 

Comments

[Carol]

Oh wow! I had a My Friend Mandy, too -- and she was the BEST. Thanks for bringing back a wonderful memory!

[Janine]

She is such a beautiful doll, I can see why you and your little one love her so. I love sewing for my children, although my efforts are more along the lines of quilts and sleeping bags, especially when they wait patiently beside the machine for me to finish.

[Amy]

Wow - that's a doll I hadn't thought about in a while. I too loved my Mandy doll. (I think I might have had same plaid shirt & khakis outfit for her.) I'm pretty sure that she was saved in my parents basement along with my Ginny doll (another favorite).

[Anamaria]

I had a My Friend Jenny (the brunette, #212), but I would have had no idea what she was called if it weren't for the links in your post: thank you! She was one of my very favorites, and one of the very few (maybe 3) toys my mom kept. Her hair is not quite as brushable as it was back then, and she's missing a shoe, but I don't think Milly will mind. Now about the sewing patterns...must get my hands on those, too!

[brandie]

I had My Friend Jenny! hee hee...such a fun memory!!

[Jill]

I had Mandy, too! And I also loved her.

[Christine]

I had Mandy, Jenny, Becky and Mikey- but never any extra clothes for them. I do remember switching their outfits around so that my current favorite had the prettiest outfit.

[rungirlrun]

I had a Mandy! Still do. She's packed away in my daughter's closet. I had forgotten about the patterns! Your post brought all of those memories back. I never made the clothes but I remember laying them out and pretending to sew.
Thanks.

[Lori-Lyn]

She was my favorite doll too! My grandmother sewed clothes for her. Your photographs are so lovely.

[Nancy]

*Chills!* I had my friend Jenny, too! (The one in the calico dress with the straw hat.) I wonder whatever became of her.... probably sold in the post-parental-divorce-garage-sale... :(

[kyrie]

oh, i had calico-dress my friend jenny, too! my little sister had mandy. what a lovely memory to bring back. now i will have to get one for my daughter (she's too young now, but oh! all the fun of making clothes for that dolly!)

[Adriana]

That doll is so adorable. I'd never heard about it till today and now I'd love to have one :-)

I'm lucky my mum and dad saved almost everything from when I was growing up. I'd been thinking about taking photos of all the toys I still have.

You've inspired me to go ahead and do it. Thanks!

[Brynne]

I had Becky and my brother had Mikey. We loved those dolls so much and they had incredible handmade wardrobes, too. I'll have to look in my toy trunk the next time I'm at home to see if I still have it.

[karin]

I had a Mandy, and my sister had a Becky. I loved the camping outfit, but the yellow raincoat (and had and boots) were my favorite. I haven't thought of Mandy in forever!

[jiru]

Oh - where is my Mandy? I hadn't thought of her in ages. My best friend and I used to walk around the playground talking about all the outfits we could make for her: tennis outfit, pajamas, tutu, what have you. I don't think we ever did make any of them, but we sure loved talking about it! Thanks for bringing back memories. I'll have to see if my mom kept her for me.

[jenn]

I had one too! she was my favorite! What a wonderful memory...I got mine for my birthday. I can still remember opening her...

[Anne]

Oh! I had a Mandy doll, too! My sister had a Jenny, and our mom sewed us a buttload of clothes and accessories for them. My dad built wooden cradles for them, too, that rocked (literally and figuratively). I can now vividly remember the camping outfit having seen your photos, and I can picture the sleeping bag my mom made to go with it. Thank you so much for reminding me!

[Nicole Valentine]

WOW! Someone else with a my friend doll - I have Jenny and plan on giving it to my daughter. There are some warnings about their PVC skin being toxic but as long as your child isn't gnawing on her I think it's fine. :) I will post pics of my Jenny doll and the outfits my grandmother made for her! (give me a few days as laptop is in the shop)

[hillary]

oh I never knew they had sewing patterns! hmpf. the only official mandy outfit I had was the one she came in. the rest of her wardrobe consisted of hand-me-down dresses from my mom's childhood dolls that never quite fit right.

[erinberry]

So cool! I can't wait to share some of my favorite toys with my daughter! I saved tons of stuff from childhood.

[robin]

holy cow, you have no idea how much i loved my little friend dolls growing up. i had mandy and jenny. i actually just assumed they were things of the past and haven't bothered to look for them. but now that changes.

i'm glad sadie loves her. i don't think i had more than one outfit for either of mine. i remember their shoes said right and left on them....

[Sara]

Am I the only one who had Becky? I loved Becky, her freckles and red hair were just so fabulous.

Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorite toys growing up.

[Heather]

Wow, I learned to sew by creating clothes for Mandy! Although I would have had more in common with Jenny it seems. Thanks for the memory, next time I am home I am going to look for her. Although I am bit freaked out by how she "evolved" over time, doensn't look like the 80's were good for Mandy.

[moki]

oh! I have a my friend mikey doll in the garage I totally forgot about! I'll have to get his cute little auburn head out of there!

[Kim]

Oh, this makes me so nostalgic! My mom had that book and always made us doll clothes from the patterns! Enjoy it! Your daughter will always remember it--I know I do!

[Heels]

Boy, am I a teary-eyed ninny today*--this entry made me well over. I was absolutely not a dolly girl at all, but I had Mandy and a standing trunk/closet thing for all her clothes (remember the hanger bars?) and I loved her dearly.

My daughter, age 5, is a total dolly-girl and has a ridiculous abundance of babies, but I am off to search for a Mandy for her right now.

* I have reason: it's my son's first birthday.

[jenny r]

I had Mandy AND Jenny, which was perfect since everybody called my Jenny in those days!

[Tracie Lyn Huskamp]

OH MY GOSH... WHAT MEMORIES... I still have MY Mandy Doll... and I even have that pattern book for the clothing... I LOVED HER so..!!!!

My sister had the Jenny doll. We would play for HOURS with them.

Mandy is currently tucked away in a box. It makes me want to pull her out and give her a HUG!!!!

[Aurora]

Hi! Cute pictures, I'm glad your daughter liked Mandy too. Many fun filled hours to come with her!

I was wondering if you could share your tips on getting more blog exposure. I'm yearning for more readers!

Great job, I read you regularly. Thanks for the inspiration.

Smiles, Aurora

[amy k.]

hey there aurora-
did you see this link over at whip up by craftlog? this is the best post just about this:
http://whipup.net/2006/02/08/craftblog-advice/

I know this link wont'ork, but you can look over there inder the subject"blogs"

[amy k.]

does anyone know if mandy can be dressed in american girl shoes and clothes? I think mandy is 16" and American girl dolls are 18" (?)was wondering if the clothes would work, especially the shoes. . .sadie is obsessed with the catalogs. it's just a matter of time before mandy has an new friend :)

[carol]

I think they would fit, we have one American girl doll and as I look at your doll it should work...man, I totally remember that doll. I think I will need to buy one on ebay for my soon to be 2 year old who plays with her sister Am. doll more! Thanks for the memory.

[Stephanie]

wierd. just last week kim (dioramarama) sent me a vintage pattern book of "my friends" fashions. we don't even have a my friend doll (my mom saves nothing), but it got us looking on ebay and i'll think we'll get one soon. you can borrow the patterns if you want!

[mary]

oh, i loved my friend mandy when i was growing up! yours is in amazing condition, and those clothes you made are absolutely adorable.

[Gina]

Cute!

[Amanda]

Oh. My. God. That is SO cool! My nickname is Mandie, so my mom was so thrilled when she found one of these for me when I was little (even though her name was spelled "wrong"). And now my 2-year-old daughter plays with her! I just wish mine had cool clothes like yours - my mom can't sew a button, much less doll clothes! Thanks for the blast from the past!

[Becky]

I had a My Friend Mandy and a My Friend Becky, and when I was 6 my best friend's name was Mandy, so I think I thought the dolls were made for us!

[scribblesnbits]

This post is so great! I was strictly Barbies. I learned to sew sewing Barbie clothes. My first quilt was a Barbie quilt.

[Linda]

ooh, i have mandy (got her for one of my birthdays), and then i saved up my own money for jenny (and she cost TEN dollars!!!). i loved them both so much. mandy is still here, with all her clothes (and the sleeping bags my mom made), jenny, alas, met with an unfortunate incident with my mom's dog a few years ago. :( and i don't have any daughters. :(

now i have to go search ebay for jenny.

[heather]

Oh man! I am so excited to see this! I had a Mandy doll and my sister had the Jenny doll. I still have Mandy and that exact "denim" skirt! I have little white shoes and I think one red clog...Wow this brings back memories!

[wenders]

I have both Mandy and Becky - I never knew they were so popular! I was born in 1978, so maybe that's why? I got them so young I didn't know about marketing?? :)

[robiewankdnobie]

my mother and her friends got each of us a my friend mandy doll. then they got together and whipped up skirts, and dresses, and sleeping bags. it was, perhaps, the best gift that i've ever been given.