Madge Sue Berry

Doll-Making

I am proud to be a native of Mitchell County, North Carolina. I learned to sew as a child by watching my grandmother, who was known as one of the best seamstresses in the area. I still remember some of the beautiful dresses and suits she made for me. I thought it fascinating to watch her take a piece of fabric and turn it into a lovely garment.

I made my first dress when I was eleven years old. It was made from a white cotton print with red hearts, and I thought it was beautiful. I also made clothes for my baby sister. Later, after I married and honed my sewing skills, I followed my grandmother’s lead and sewed to help put my husband through college.

About twelve years ago, I became interested in the art of Appalachian doll making. I started making rag dolls for friends and then began to sell my work at craft fairs and shops. I have met so many wonderful people over the years, as dolls seem to bring out the “kid” in us all. I look forward to being a part of the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree project and to bringing Ruthie “alive” to all readers, young and old.

Madge Sue Berry was born in Bakersville, North Carolina, the first of three children of Dallas and Mabel Cook. Early in her life, Madge’s father moved his wife and young children to east Tennessee, as work was scarce in the mountains of western North Carolina. Fortunately, her family never sold the home place in Bakersville. In 1999 Madge, with the help of help of her father and sons, Rich and Kevin, restored the old house. She currently resides there and makes her dolls in a small workshop next to the house.

Madge has sold her dolls at many area festivals, including those in Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Winston-Salem and Erwin, Tennessee. She makes the doll bodies of tea-dyed muslin, hand paints the faces and makes the clothes from patterns she has designed. The detail and love that she sews into each doll is reflected in the customers who return year after year.