Making Furniture and Dollhouses
Rocking Chair

History of Rocking Chairs

A rocking chair is appropriate for any American Girl Doll of European descent. One of the first rocking chairs ever made was in Sweden around 1740. It was called a gungstol. It had a long, curved piece of wood for the rocker and six legs. These six legged rocking chairs were made until about 1870 when four legged rocking chairs began to be made. Gungstols were often painted black and decorated with gold outlining. To make your American Girl Doll furniture look authentic for this period, you might paint it black with gold outlining.

A bow-spindle-backed rocking chair also originated in England around 1740. It was called the Windsor Rocker. It was used as a lawn chair rather than as furniture for the home. The Windsor Rocker was brought to the American Colonies around 1750 and the crafty Americans made many variations. It is the American versions of the rocking chair became famous around the world. Any type of natural-colored wood stain and finish (such as light oak, cherry or walnut) would make your American Girl Doll furniture look authentic for this period.

Many people believe that Benjamin Franklin invented the rocking chair by placing rockers on the legs of a straight chair. But this is not true. However, like so many writers, artists and politicians of the day, he did own one.

Hand-crafted furniture has been a large part of American history. I like the philosophy of the American-born Japanese woodworking designer George Nakashima. He said, "The woodworker's responsibility is to the tree itself, which has been sacrificed to live again in the woodworker's hands..." Hand-crafting American Girl Doll furniture for your loved is one of the most thoughtful and cherished gifts they will ever receive.

Next pattern: Doll Chair

The American Girl Doll rocking chair pattern is sized for 18-inch vinyl dolls (those with vinyl head, arms and legs and a cloth stuffed body) such as The American Girls Collection® by the Pleasant Company, Götz Dolls® (non-designer) and many others. It will work with the following dolls quite well: Dress Me Doll© by The Martha Pullen Company, Faithful Friends Collection®, Liberty Landing®, Girls on the Go®, Savannah of Storybook Heirlooms™, Laura Ashley®, Collector's Lane®, Creative Doll Company®, Springfield Collection®, Sophia's Heritage Collection®, Autumn Harvest™ and Our Generation™ and miscellaneous composition and porcelain dolls.

These easy-to-follow woodworking doll furniture projects are created for the woodworker who has a home workshop and access to basic tools. Each project is presented in a detailed, step-by-step process from start to finish. Simpler projects for the beginner are included, as well as more challenging projects for the advanced woodworker.

All these woodworking projects feature carefully drawn patterns and a full-color photo of the finished product. The author painstakingly leads you through each step of the construction process, including materials lists, technical notes, assembly tips and finishing techniques.

This book includes comprehensive instructions on how to get started, including choosing the right tools, wood and finishes. Any child, or seasoned doll collector, would be proud to receive furniture that was constructed by you. However, if you do not have woodworking skills and do not have access to the right tools, it would not be possible to construct these furniture pieces.

Infinite Freedom and Sally Robertson are not associated with any of the above named dolls or companies in any way.

Woodworking Pattern Book "Making Furniture and Dollhouses for American Girl and Other 18-Inch Dolls" by Dennis Simmons - $24.95

Infinite Freedom

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where all who love to sew are free to sew...
where all have the resources they need to sew...
and no strife or war can touch anyone who wants to sew.

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