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| Lammily doll unboxed |
When Lammily first appeared in 2014, she attracted attention as a fashion doll designed with more realistic human proportions. Created by artist Nickolay Lamm, the original doll was based on measurements associated with an average 19-year-old American woman. Her fuller waist, sturdy legs and natural-looking shape made her noticeably different from most fashion dolls available at the time.
Although Lammily was sometimes nicknamed the “Normal Barbie” in news stories, she is not a Barbie doll or a Mattel product. She was developed as a separate alternative for families and collectors interested in seeing a wider variety of body shapes represented in dolls.
Why I Added Lammily to My Doll Collection
My interest in Lammily grew after I began designing clothes for dolls with different body types—especially Curvy Barbie. Customers were looking for handmade clothes that fit dolls beyond the traditional Barbie body, and that encouraged me to experiment with new shapes and sewing patterns.
I grew up playing with Barbie and never personally compared my body to hers. To me, she was simply a doll and a source of imaginative play. At the same time, I appreciate that today’s collectors and children have more body types from which to choose.
Once I purchased my first Curvy Barbie, I became hooked on designing for her. Her fuller proportions presented an enjoyable sewing challenge and inspired me to look more closely at other dolls with distinctive body shapes. Lammily was a natural addition to that exploration.
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| Lammily doll proportions |
My First Impression of the Lammily Doll
I have purchased many dolls over the years, and I remember being impressed by how carefully my Lammily doll was packaged. She arrived safely protected inside multiple boxes, with the doll displayed neatly in her original packaging.
At the time, I paid approximately $25 for her.
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| Lammily Doll size comparisons |
Out of the box, Lammily has a friendly, understated appearance. My doll has long brunette hair, minimal makeup and a body shape that is fuller through the waist, hips and legs than a traditional Barbie body.
Her original outfit included casual shorts, a jacket and white tennis shoes. The clothing used hook-and-loop closures, making it relatively easy to remove. The outfit suited the doll’s casual image, although the white tennis shoes and original clothing were not really my style. Naturally, I was more interested in seeing what I could sew for her.
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| Lammily doll's limitations, articulation |
Lammily Articulation and Posing
One of Lammily’s interesting features is her articulation. My doll has movement at the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles, allowing her to hold more natural poses than many basic fashion dolls sold during that period.
The joints do not give her an unlimited range of motion, but they are useful for doll photography and clothing displays. She can bend her arms and legs slightly, position her hands and stand in several different poses.
How Is Lammily Different From Curvy Barbie?
Lammily and Curvy Barbie both have fuller proportions, but their bodies are not identical. Lammily has a thicker waist and a different balance between her torso, hips and legs. Curvy Barbie generally has a more pronounced fashion-doll silhouette.
Because the dolls are shaped differently, clothing cannot always be exchanged successfully between them. A loose shirt or generously cut dress may work on both, but fitted garments can be too tight in one area and too loose in another. Sleeves, waistlines, hips and garment length may all require adjustment.
This is why I prefer to measure each doll instead of assuming that dolls of similar height can share the same wardrobe.
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| sewing for Lammily dolls |
Sewing Clothes for Lammily
Designing for Lammily requires a slightly different approach from sewing for a traditional Barbie body. Her thicker waist and fuller torso affect the way fitted garments close and drape.
When making doll clothes for Lammily, I pay particular attention to:
- The bust, waist and hip measurements
- Torso length
- Shoulder width
- Arm and leg openings
- Placement of the back closure
- Ease through the waist and hips
- Finished skirt, dress and pants length
Stretch fabrics can be helpful because they allow one design to accommodate small differences between doll bodies. Wrap dresses, elastic waists, loose tops, A-line dresses and garments with adjustable closures can also provide a more flexible fit.
A dress designed specifically for Lammily will usually look better than one simply borrowed from another doll. Even a small adjustment at the waist or hips can change how the entire outfit hangs.
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| Lammily Doll handmade Jumpsuit |
Updating Lammily’s Look With Handmade Fashion
The original casual outfit introduced Lammily’s everyday personality, but handmade clothing offers many more possibilities. Different fabrics, colors and silhouettes can make her look sporty, vintage, sophisticated or ready for a special occasion.
That is one of the things I enjoy most about designing doll clothes. A new outfit can completely change how a familiar doll appears. It can also highlight features that were easy to overlook when the doll was still wearing her factory clothing.
Over the years, I have continued experimenting with designs that accommodate dolls with different shapes and proportions. Lammily remains an interesting model because she encourages me to think beyond standard fashion-doll patterns.
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| Lammily doll Handmade dress |
Is Lammily a Good Doll for Collectors and Doll Dressmakers?
For collectors interested in unusual fashion-doll bodies, Lammily offers an interesting piece of recent doll history. She represents an important period when doll manufacturers and independent creators were beginning to place more emphasis on body diversity and realistic proportions.
For doll dressmakers, she also presents a worthwhile sewing challenge. Her body requires its own fitting adjustments, but that is part of what makes designing for her enjoyable.
My favorite qualities include:
- Her distinctive and recognizable body shape
- Her understated facial screening
- Her brunette hair
- Her articulated joints
- The opportunity to create patterns for a less conventional fashion-doll body
The original shoes and outfit were not my favorites, but clothing is something I can change. The doll herself gives me a very different model to design for.
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| Lammily doll coveralls |
Final Thoughts
I originally purchased Lammily because I was curious about her realistic proportions and wanted to compare her with the other dolls in my collection. After examining her construction and sewing for her body shape, I came to appreciate her as more than a novelty.
She offers collectors another type of fashion doll and gives doll clothing designers an opportunity to work with different proportions. Whether someone prefers Lammily, Curvy Barbie, classic Barbie or another fashion doll, greater variety makes doll collecting—and doll sewing—much more interesting.
I will continue adding updated photographs of Lammily modeling handmade outfits as I create new designs for her.
You can find more handmade doll clothes, fashion-doll comparisons, sewing projects and collectible doll features here at Ozark Fashions.
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| Lammily Doll - long blue floral gown |
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