Here’s a guest post from Carolyn Wainscott on the restoration of 1969’s much beloved Crissy doll. Please share your own Crissy doll memories with us in the comments!
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Melinda, my youngest, was five in 1969 and there was only one thing she wanted for Christmas – Crissy, the doll with hair that grows. She watched Crissy commercials as little girls brushed her hair that grew all the way to her feet time after time during her cartoons after school and on Saturday mornings.
She watched Crissy’s hair grow as we sat eating popcorn watching “Rudolph”, “Frosty The Snowman” and “Charlie Brown” in the weeks before Christmas and when Melinda sets her head for something, that’s it. Nothing else would do. Can you see what intrigued that little 5 year old in this commercial I found on YouTube:
I scoured toy stores for weeks before Christmas for Crissy but there was none to be found. Word went out to everyone that we desperately needed a Crissy doll but when Christmas Eve came there was still no doll with hair that grows for Melinda. That afternoon my sister-in-law, Delores called to ask if I still needed a Crissy doll. She had found one hidden behind some things in the store – should she pick that up? So, Melinda got her beloved doll that year.
Melinda is a grandmother now but she is still my baby girl.
We both love dolls and I pick one up from time to time for her – just because. On occasion Crissy runs through my mind and a few weeks ago I ran across one in a antique mall in one of the vendor’s booths. She was hanging on a back wall. The manager retrieved her for me and sure enough it was Crissy doll with hair that grows. Her condition wasn’t too bad, The surface was okay, both eyelashes were there, her eyes needed redoing, she didn’t have her original clothing but I thought I could get the hair whipped into shape so she came home with me.
Here she is with the home made clothes she was wearing removed-see, condition not too bad
The button for the hair that grows works!
She was surface washed, her hair rinsed being careful not to let the water get into the inside of her head, the pigtail wasn’t washed. It was fairly nicely styled that I was going to try and work around.
Liquid fabric softener was rubbed into her hair, it took hours to comb and brush through, you can see the eyes need painting but they still open and close.
After brushing, Crissy’s hair was kind of pin curled and held in place with my little clips for days to help tame that mane
Now, what was Crissy going to do for clothes? I couldn’t put that blue dress back on her. I didn’t have any orange lace to make the dress and she would need shoes I had seen in a photo search. My great, grandson, Blake [age 9] suggested looking online for the clothing. We went to Ebay not thinking we could actually find her authentic clothing.
There were pages of Chrissy clothing, boots, shoes and dolls with original clothing with their boxes. I watched a pair of boots and a pair of shoes for a couple of days until they went over my price. I would still have to make the dress but that would be okay. Then a complete outfit of orange lace dress with matching shoes was posted and it was put on my watch list until a few minutes before the close of the auction. I don’t ever bid until just a few minutes before the close – don’t want to tip my hand and drive the price up too early. My bid was placed a couple of minutes before the close and I won.
Out of curiosity, there are several items in my Ebay Crissy watch list to see how high the bids go. I want to make sure I have gotten the best deal I guess-it’s all a game. So far purchasing Melinda’s Crissy in the antique mall [$18], restoring her condition then searching for her authentic clothing [$12.50] has been the best choice.
Here she is with hair styled, touched up makeup and her new outfit ready for Melinda almost 50 years after her first one.
This has been a new adventure for me but I enjoyed it a great deal and I hope Crissy brings Melinda joy.
Happy crafting
www.carolynscanvas.blogspot.com
Did you ever have a Crissy doll?
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I still have my Crissy doll from the late 70’s, early 80’s. Mine is a much larger “toddler-sized” doll. She’s in fairly good condition, except for the hair. It’s a giant, ratted mess. Her hair worked with a string. Pull the string it gets shorter, pull her at the top and it gets longer. I don’t think it will work all of the way, because of the tangles. I may have to see if I can work those out. I’ve never heard of using fabric softener before.
Hi Angela, I don’t think I ever saw a toddler size Chrissy doll. My daughter’s was from the first year they came out in late 60’s. If you try the softener come back and let us know how it worked for you. I think it helped a lot on Chrissy. I got the idea from working with American Girl dolls.
Thanks for joining us here. Come back often
Carolyn
I remember having a Chrissy doll. I loved that her hair grew. Many years before having a Chrissy doll I had a Chatty Cathy doll but I cut her hair. The point being I liked dolls that had hair and that you could hope to style it. Which was a mistake with the Chatty Cathy. But since Chris sys hair could be shirt or long that was great!
Aww, thanks for sharing the memory!
Short or long. Sometimes I hate spellcheck.
I love Chrissy Dolls. Having lost my childhood doll, when I saw one antiquing, I would get a nostalgic longing. I happened to purchase one at a garage sale In her case and with clothing for two dollars. Learning how to clean and restore her to her original beauty was so gratifying. I began collecting Velvet, Kerry, and Mia. I love them. This gorgeous doll has brought me hours of joy.
I love my Crissy doll. I was 4 or 5 years old when I got her for Christmas. A close family friend sewed a whole wardrobe for her. She was one of two dolls I’d saved to adulthood. Her hair is much shorter because my mom cut off the frizz at some point. Sadly, my daughter was unimpressed and didn’t want her. I think she’s lovely and I’m glad to see others agree.
Hello, how did you repair her eyes? Were they painted or did you replace both eyes.
I am 59 and still have my Chrissy doll from 1969. She still has the original dress and shoes in the storage. box. All are still in great condition. I have saved it in hopes of my daughter and granddaughters playing with it. My daughter was not much into dolls and I only have grandsons. I would love to sell it. If anyone is interested, I will be happy to send photos. Since it is in such good condition, I would like to get at least $25 for it.
Hello Kathy,
I would be interested in seeing pictures of your doll for purchase. Would you be able to send those to me?
Thank you,
Please email me at Fabfifty52@gmail.com and I can reply with the photo attachments.
I don’t seem to be able to post the photos here.
I have three original doll from 1969 with original clothes, shoes and original box with yarn handle. I got it for Christmas and loved it so much and have kept it all these 50 years! Precious!!
I just acquired a Velvet doll that appears to have hairspray on her hair, otherwise in great shape. Any suggestions on how to get that out? Thank you,
Hi, I was curious about your doll’s eyes, and how they turned out. In my experience, that’s usually mold and just needs to be cleaned, rather than repainted. It’s white, powdery mold, sometimes referred to as Crissy cataracts. I have my original Crissy and Velvet, as well as some newer additions, and I occasionally restore them. I inspect their eyes often, since the mold can spread. Just found your post, so nice to read about everyone’s love of these dolls!
I was about to ask about what paint to use on her eyes until I saw your post. What was your cleaning method? I don’t want to ruin her eyes.
I still have my Crissy doll. She looks a whole lot like the one in Carolyn’s post. Her hair is super ratty and I would love to restore her to her former glory. She also needs replacement shoes and panties. I still have her original panties, but they are practically dry rotted.
Any suggestions you can send my way would be appreciated. I just don’t want to ruin her.
My granddaughters have my Krissy doll. I’m wondering about her size and if American Girl clothes would fit.
I had a Baby Secret that I trashed 10 years ago when we moved. I regret it! I have strong memories of her feel and smell, taking me back to childhood
Don’t know if you ever got a reply but American Girl clothes are way too big for Crissy. You can find clothes patterns or ready made clothes for Crissy on eBay.
I played with the one my aunt had when I was small I. The early 70s. For my birthday last year she gave it to me. The original dress. No box no shoes. Her back is the turn knob. She is in great condition. Hair a bit messy. But overall still pretty
I loved reading your post, Carolyn! I have had my Crissy doll.since 1960-something. I adored her. My doll looks a whole lot like the one in your posts. I am going to try your method for her hair. However, I also want to restore the ponytail. Any additional tips you can send my way are much appreciated.