Although Intrix rag dolls are real rag dolls, their stuffing is not real rags. Instead of rags they are updated with modern U.S.A made polyester fiber. And, they are not the ragdoll breed of cat. In the 1960s a regular non-pedigreed white domestic longhaired cat named Josephine, who had produced several litters of typical cats, was injured in an accident involving a car and taken to the veterinary hospital... 

After Josephine recovered she became docile, relaxed when picked up, and immune to pain. Her next litter produced kittens with a similar temperament. When the subsequent litter produced more of the same, Ann Baker (an established cat breeder) purchased several kittens from the owner who lived behind her. Believing she had something special, she set out to create what is now known as the ragdoll cat. The cats were selectively bred over many years to develop the desired traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed coloration.

The dolls' skin is made of silk noile, sometimes called raw silk. It has a soft yet slightly rough or textured feel.

Silk has been around for a long time. Invented in China thousands of years ago, it was a carefully guarded secret for many years. There are a number of legends as to its beginning as well as how the secret of silk production was smuggled out of China. 

For your reference, a brief history of silk is in the Silk Association of Great Britain website. Another site shows a silk history for kids. 

Like so many fashion trends, the use of rickrack seems to rise and fall over the decades. Popular in the 1890's, it rose again during the 1920's to 1940's especially on the flour or feed sack dresses (at that time flour, animal feed and other goods were packaged and shipped in cloth bags made of brightly patterned fabric instead of paper or plastic), and then in the 1970's. It is still a favorite among square dancers and is often seen in children's clothing perhaps because it is durable and washes well. 

Originally, rickrack was crocheted or made by folding narrow flat ribbon or tape to create a zigzag effect. In time industrial machines such as the early one shown here were designed and created that made rickrack more easily available. 

Even though rickrack comes as wide as 1.5 inches, here at Intrix, Inc. we use one of the narrowest rickracks on the girls' clothing. It's fun, it's cheerful, and even a little bit retro. 

PS. . . We have heard there is a girls musical band that goes by the name of Rickrack, also a song, and even a raccoon puppet, but our rickrack is the nifty little trim you see in the picture.

Today these terms seem to be interchangeable, each referring to a loose and baggy divided ladies' garment for the lower body to be worn under dresses and skirts. But in their day, all of them were gigantic steps away from the long, cumbersome dresses and petticoats once fashionable for women. Like women's freedom to own property and vote, freedom in women's dress was not an easy victory against ridicule and opposition. 

Bloomers acquired their name during the middle 1800's from Amelia Bloomer. And the term pantaloons? Perhaps from a 16th century Italian comedy character named Pantalone who wore short baggy pants. 

The following link is to a company specializing in undergarments of past decades and centuries. Their photos show better than words the many styles of ages past which is why the link is included here. (Please understand that although we find their designs and pictures interesting, we are not promoting either the quality or the purchase of their product in any way.) Their designs, manufactured in the United States are updated but are still reflective of what was actually worn at the time. 

When the dolls' clothes need a little freshening up or smoothing out, we give them a light touch with an iron, but to make them look extra nice and fluffy, we use unscented Mary Ellen's Best Press Clear Starch Alternative, especially on their petticoats. We are also told it is also a favorite with the quilters.

Back a number of decades ago in the 1950's and even into the early 1960's, girls always wore skirts and blouses or dresses to school. With them  went saddle shoes, penny loafers, and white bobby socks were popular then, too. And white canvas Keds that required white shoe polish and an occasional washing to keep them nice. 

Dresses then were typically shirtwaist styles. In the nicer weather, the peasant style blouses were a real favorite. They were mostly white cotton in a simple style with elastics at the neck and sleeves. Only on occasion was there a little added lace. They were great with springtime skirts and petticoats. 

In the middle 1950's the girls also loved to wear petticoats under their springtime full skirts. The girls made them super stiff by soaking them in a thick solution of sugar and starch before hanging them on a clothesline to drip dry. You couldn't use a dryer even if you were lucky enough to have one because it would make them limp instead of stiff! Some of the naturally stiff ones we called crinolines but because they were so stiff, they weren't as comfortable. Hoops were rarely worn by the girls for everyday wear because they were just too awkward to deal with in the classroom, but lots of fluffy petticoats were so much fun. The more, the better! With three girls in the back seat of a car, even the big cars of years past, there were petticoats everywhere! Then the colored trim on the bottom edge would have a chance to show off its colors. 

Here at the studio, we use Vectra Spray on the dolls to help protect them from any possible food, dirt or grease stains they might encounter...especially before we take them out for a photography session. Even so it is still a challenge to keep sawdust out of their hair when they are around woodworking and especially the little metal chips should they venture in to visit the big metal working machines. 

Actually, the manufacturer of the spray told us it will also work well on our own clothes, handbags, and other sorts of such items.