Way back when — before the “petroleum age,” large-scale technology, and mass production — life was simple, and most homesteaders lived miles from their nearest neighbors, so family entertainment was (by necessity) more often homespun than manufactured. Children had to invent their own games, and since cash was a scarce commodity, parents made DIY toys for their young’uns from a variety of natural materials.
While toys and dolls are easier and cheaper to purchase nowadays, these traditional dolls are easy and fun to make yourself and make for festive decorations in the fall.