Milwaukee Doll:  11" Counterpane Dolls and Toys At the time these toys were made, children suffering from rheumatic fever or heart problems would be kept in bed for months. To help keep the children entertained, the project made small, lightweight "counterpane toys." (A counterpane is a bedspread or coverlet). They made dolls, animals (horses, giraffes, pigs, elephants, dogs, pandas), as well as cloth balls and cubes.

Each 4-ounce doll came with matching panties as well as an extra dress and panty outfit. Source: Betty O'Sullivan photo collection.

An armful of "Counterpane Dolls" ready for shipment to the Milwaukee County Children's Hospital is held by Dorothy Phillips of the Milwaukee WPA handicraft project. Source: National Archives Records Administration, Still Photos Branch, Record Group 69-N, Negative No. 22047.