Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
While shopping for her toddler years ago, April Riley Tate couldn’t find a toy that was just right. Inspired by her own childhood rag dolls, she began sewing stuffed toys. Riley Construction Toys—Tate’s line of handmade rag dolls, quirky embroidery, and plush toys—was born.
Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Today, the dining room in her South City home serves as her studio, where she starts with a sketch that eventually becomes a pattern. The resulting cotton and wool felt toys provide a tactile experience for children. “They’re huggable,” says Tate, whose dolls often remind other adults of their youth. “They step out of reality and into fantasy toyland.” This spring, she’s introducing playmates in beach and camping themes, along with new mermaids. Look for Tate’s collection at Union Studio, at area art fairs, and on Etsy.
