Betsy McCall
Betsy McCall was first introduced as a paper doll in 1951 as an
“advertising vehicle” for its sewing patterns and to promote the use of
postwar “wash and wear” fabrics like Dacron, nylon and rayon sold to the
busy 1950s homemaker. The commercial appeal of dolls lead to the creation
of a Betsy McCall doll in 1952 by the Ideal Toy Company. The dolls were
produced over the decade licensed by several doll manufactures.
Competition with Barbie, first launched in 1959, and other fashion dolls
plus other emerging interests competing for girls attention in the 1970s
lead to the discontinuation of Betsy in both the doll and paper doll form.
Peggy McCall
This fashion teen was created by McCall’s to “encourage young girls to sew” Peggy McCall made her debut in 1943. This composite model dressed in a WWII nurses' uniform was donated from the URI Textile, Merchandising and Design Dept. in 2007.
Shown with Peggy:
Evening Dress for Peggy sewn using McCall pattern #6600-2 by Roberta Hale. (nurse uniform also sewn by Roberta Hale)
Princess Dress, #6600-3
McCall Tricks in Sewing for Peggy and Yourself and a booklet introducing Peggy: Peggy the Modern Fashion Model.
