History of the Cabbage Patch Kids

The History of Cabbage Patch Kids

Soft sculpting is a technique that has been around for centuries. The 1970s and 80s was an era that exploded with the concept of soft sculptured baby dolls. 

Martha Nelson Thomas started crafting these soft sculpture babies in 1971. When Xavier Roberts saw Martha’s Doll Babies that had adoption papers, he was intrigued with this idea. He adopted some of her dolls and displayed them for sale at his gift shop.  Martha didn’t like the idea of her babies being commercialized, so she took her babies back. In 1976, Xavier decided to make his own to sell. He improved the design and went all out on the concept of them being real babies available for adoption, which made the dolls very popular.  He couldn’t keep up with the custom orders he received, so he recruited his mother and sisters for help.

In 1977, to go along with the concept of Little People and Babyland General Hospital, he printed 1,000 blue-bordered birth certificates and name tags—the first “Blue” edition.  He teamed up with an old classmate, Debbie Morehead, and together named each one, using a 1937 baby names book.  They traveled all over to participate in art shows.  The next year, Debbie decided to quit the baby business to concentrate on her paintings.  Xavier decided to quit his job and deliver babies full time.  As he continued to travel to art shows, the news continued to travel about his Little People.  He decided he needed more help if he was going to fulfill the demands, so he and five classmates got together to form a business.  They renovated an old clinic and turned it into an adoption clinic—Babyland General Hospital. 

September 1978 Original Appalachian Artworks was incorporated, and the second Blue edition was introduced—characterized by an “A” before the registration number.  They continued traveling to art shows, putting on a display with cribs, toys, and highchairs, and dressing up as doctors and nurses.  Less than two months, the edition was gone and they went on to introduce the third (Red or “B” edition.)

By August 1979, Babyland General Hospital had 56 doctors and nurses and still could not keep up with the demand.  By this time, the media had featured Xavier in several articles and television programs, which in turn created even more demand.

January 1982 was the introduction of the very first Little People with ears (New ‘Ears Edition), and Little People Pals, which was meant to be a doll for the Little People.  Eventually, a pattern book was published, and a kit was available for purchase so that people could make their own ‘Pals.  Meanwhile, Xavier was working on a national licensing program called “Cabbage Patch Kids.”  By August, Coleco became licensed to mass produce and promote a complete line of products and accessories based on Little People.  They planned to introduce Cabbage Patch Kids in Summer 1983.  In August 1982, a new edition of Little People was introduced as (soft sculptured) Cabbage Patch Kids.  And January 1983 the Little People were officially referred to as Cabbage Patch Kids.

June 1983 the announcement of Coleco was made.  Coleco mass-marketed Cabbage Patch Kids, which were similar to Little People, except their heads were vinyl instead of cloth, but still resembled a soft-sculpture face.  They came with their own birth certificate, adoption papers, personality trait card, and a stamped Xavier Roberts signature on their left bottom cheek.  Thus began the “Cabbage Patch Kids Craze,” which lasted through the 80’s.

        During the craze, Martha decided to market kits through Fibre Craft so people could make their own dolls.  People could purchase a vinyl head, and a pre-sewn body.  These were sold as the "Original Doll Baby."  There were also clothing and shoes available to buy.    There were also many other companies selling doll heads, such as "Baby Toothie," Westrim Crafts "Mitzy," and many others.  Meanwhile, patterns were being sold so people could create their own soft-sculpture dolls.  Esther Lee Foster had "Foster Children."  Kathy Myers had "Cradle Creations."  Faye Wine, through the McCall Pattern company, had "Blossom Babies."  A 1970s mail order pattern was also available, Design 7527.  A company called Raymar had preprinted "baby skin" fabric.  Toy companies were also trying to compete by marketing "Fruit Kids," "Flower Kids," and several others.  Some even sold cheap counterfeit Cabbage Patch Kids, which reeked of kerosene. 

        Despite all the other dolls and patterns available, Cabbage Patch Kids were, and still remain, the most popular.  Some may argue that Cabbage Patch Kids are the first and only "real" 'Kids and they wouldn't want any other.  They certainly are the best quality.  Others say having an Original Doll Baby is having a little piece of history.  After all, the Doll Baby was the inspiration for Xavier Roberts.  Had it not been for that, we would never have the Cabbage Patch Kids.  And without Xavier's ambition to make them so well-known, we would never even know about Cabbage Patch Kids, much less Martha and her Doll Babies.

        I had a Doll Baby that my mom had made when I was a kid.  But because it wasn't a Cabbage Patch Kid, I threw it out.  Now my mom is gone and I wish I had that doll.  There's just something about having something that was made by a loved one, rather than just bought.  Their work and labor of love is sewn into it.   And that's what Martha wanted with her dolls.