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The Infirmary

The Raggedy Hospital

Doll Hospital & Scarecrow Surgery

For bumps, bruises, loose stitches and lives well lived.

The Raggedys are made to have adventures.

Small Folk find themselves carried from shelf to shelf, tucked into peculiar places and occasionally introduced rather enthusiastically to children, cats and dogs. The Straw Folk have an even harder job. They stand out in farms, fields and vegetable plots through sunshine, showers and the occasional storm.

The evidence of a life well lived is always part of a Raggedy’s charm. But should your Raggedy ever need a helping hand, I’m never too far away.

Welcome to The Raggedy Hospital, the home of the Doll Hospital & Scarecrow Surgery, where tired Folk can return for a little care, repair and restoration.

As every Raggedy that leaves my studio is individually handmade by me, I know the stitches, fabrics, construction and peculiarities that went into each and every one. That means if something happens further down the road, you don’t have to find somebody unfamiliar with your piece and hope for the best. You can send them straight back to me.

A Raggedy scarecrow head being made from reclaimed burlap
A Small Folk doll resting among fabrics, with a wrapped foot
A Small Folk doll resting on a leaf bed with a bandaged foot and a tiny bottle of tonic

Repairing before replacing

My aim isn’t to make an older Raggedy look brand new again. Their wrinkles, fading, patches and signs of age are always part of their story.

Instead, I’ll repair sympathetically, preserving as much of their original character as possible. Repairing before replacing. A patch isn’t something to hide. Around here, it’s always a badge of honour.

The Raggedy Hospital

Cottage infirmary · Kent

The Doll Hospital

Patient Small Folk

A little care for the Small Folk. Small Folk may be little, but they lead surprisingly eventful lives.

Complaints the ward can help with:

  • Loose or damaged stitching
  • Lost limbs
  • Torn or worn clothing
  • Facial reconstructions, including replacement ears
  • Minor fabric repairs
  • Hair mishaps
  • Gentle cleaning and tidying
  • Restoration of older Raggedys
  • General sprucing-up after many years of being loved, or perhaps an outfit change

Every repair is considered individually. Wherever possible, reclaimed, vintage or sympathetically matched materials will be used so your Raggedy still looks unmistakably like your Raggedy when they first came home to you.

Wonky will remain wonky

That’s rather important.

Repeat: as the adventures require

The Raggedy Hospital

Field surgery · open air

Scarecrow Surgery

Patient Straw Folk

For those who’ve been out in the field. Scarecrows are working Folk. Keepers of gardens, allotments, vegetable patches and outdoor spaces. Sun can fade things. Wind can loosen things. Birds occasionally become far too familiar. And then there are storms.

Complaints the surgery can help with:

  • Clothing repairs
  • Replacement patches
  • Loose stitching
  • Facial reconstruction
  • Replacement buttons and detailing
  • Hat repairs or replacements
  • Re-securing troublesome areas
  • Seasonal freshening-up
  • Larger repairs following weather damage
  • General scarecrow MOTs

If your scarecrow has suffered something particularly spectacular, please send me some photographs first. There aren’t many scarecrow emergencies I’m frightened of.

Back on their post

Among the cabbages once more.

Repeat: each season, if needed

Packed with every Straw Folk

Emergency Field Repairs

A first-aid tin for the garden

Sometimes there’s no time for hospital, so every purchased Raggedy scarecrow also comes with a little Emergency Repair Kit for those small jobs that can be handled at home.

A loose button or tiny tear doesn’t necessarily require a journey back to the workshop. Each kit contains useful little supplies for running repairs and helping owners keep their Straw Folk on duty between visits to Scarecrow Surgery.

Think of it as a first-aid kit.

No. as required

Certificate of continued usefulness

The Annual Scarecrow MOT

A little attention before another year in the field

If your scarecrow has spent a season or two outside, you’re welcome to send them back for a check-over.

I’ll inspect the important areas, repair minor wear and where agreed, check stitching and attachments and generally make sure they’re ready for another season amongst the cabbages. It’s also a lovely opportunity to add another patch or two.

Fit for the cabbages

Admission notes

How it works

  1. 01

    Send for the Doctor

    Get in touch with a few clear photographs and tell me what’s happened. Dramatic explanations are entirely welcome.

  2. 02

    I’ll take a look

    I’ll assess the repair and let you know what I recommend, whether it can be repaired and any likely costs before work begins.

  3. 03

    Off to hospital

    If we decide they need to come in, we’ll arrange for your Raggedy, doll or scarecrow to make their journey to the workshop.

  4. 04

    Patch, stitch & mend

    Repairs are carried out by hand and with as much sympathy for the original character and materials as possible.

  5. 05

    Back to their adventures

    Once discharged, they’ll be ready to return home, perhaps with another patch, another story and considerably more character than before.

For Raggedy emergencies, peculiar injuries and scarecrows in distress

Send for the Doctor

The Raggedy Hospital · Hello@TheRaggedys.com

Preparing the admission slip…

No ambulances available. Carrier pigeons may be arranged in exceptional circumstances.

The Raggedy Hospital – The Raggedys