Archie, the Sasha Festival 2024 Raffle Boy, and His Remarkable Wardrobe

Archie’s collection is a portrait of the Sasha Festival community in miniature: a raffle prize assembled from many people’s time, skill and generosity. The boy was won by the younger daughter of the article’s author on the final day of the 2024 Sasha Festival, along with the clothes and accessories gathered for him. Florence donated the boy and the clothes he wore, plus another shirt, to Dawn L at the previous year’s festival so Dawn could bring them to England for the raffle. Other contributors added handmade garments, playthings and practical extras, making the prize far more extensive than a single doll and outfit.

The family took a weekend to lay out and examine the contents properly. The author ironed some pieces while her daughter photographed them, then changed Archie out of the shorts, shirt and green trainers he had worn at the festival. His original blond hair and blue eyes now frame an auburn wig. It took him a little while to reveal his name, but the new owner eventually learned that he is Archie.

Handmade knitwear at the heart of the collection

Among the clearest maker attributions are two knitwear pieces by Catherine French: a cable cardigan with matching mittens, and a blue Fair Isle sweater. The cardigan’s collar and six buttons give it a tidy, finished look, while close views show the fine cable pattern continuing across the garment and mittens. The sweater combines blue, black and white in a closely worked pattern; small buttons at the back shoulder make it easier to dress.

Catherine French’s cable cardigan and mittens, alongside the blue Fair Isle sweater.

The cardigan’s collar, six buttons and matching cable mittens.

Close view of the cardigan’s fine cable knitting.

Back view of the cable cardigan and mittens.

Reverse detail of a mitten beside the cardigan.

Close detail of the cable cardigan.

The blue, black and white Fair Isle sweater.

Closer view of the blue Fair Isle pattern.

The Fair Isle sweater laid out for a full view.

Small back shoulder buttons on the sweater.

Everyday outfits and cold-weather layers

Several pieces are credited to Dollydoodles: three T-shirts, cropped leggings, two pairs of shorts and a camouflage tracksuit. The photographed tops include a Star Wars T-shirt, a grey T-shirt and an England flag butterfly design. The shorts include mid-blue and blue camouflage pairs, while the tracksuit adds a coordinated casual option. These named contributions sit alongside work from makers whose labels weren’t attached, so not every garment could be identified by its creator.

Dollydoodles garments: three T-shirts, cropped leggings, two pairs of shorts and a camouflage tracksuit.

Mid-blue shorts.

Star Wars T-shirt.

Blue camouflage shorts.

Grey T-shirt.

Navy cropped leggings.

England flag butterfly T-shirt.

Camouflage tracksuit.

The rest of the wardrobe broadens the range considerably. It includes several pairs of jeans and trousers, including Sashapotomus jeans; seven pairs of shorts beyond the Dollydoodles pairs; hiking and play tracksuits; velvet trousers with a matching lined waistcoat; two pairs of dungarees; and both short- and long-sleeved shirts. Archie also has six pairs of footwear, a Jadzia hooded coat, another hooded jacket, a fleece top, a peaked cap and a straw hat. Two pairs of pyjamas, including the whale outfit, add a bedtime change of style.

Dark-green hiking tracksuit and playtime tracksuit.

Summer whale pyjamas and winter pyjamas.

Seven pairs of shorts, including the belted pair worn at the festival.

Velvet trousers with their matching lined waistcoat.

Short-sleeved shirt by Vicky Chapman and a 1960s-style long-sleeved shirt, both donated by Florence.

Cropped and full-length dungarees.

Blue, spotted and grey corduroy trousers.

Beige trousers.

Dark- and mid-blue denim jeans.

Front view of the Sashapotomus jeans.

Close front view of the Sashapotomus jeans.

Back detail of the Sashapotomus jeans.

Patterned winter fleece with a zip and front pocket.

Hooded jacket.

Close view of the hooded jacket.

Jadzia coat.

Jadzia coat label and lining.

Toys, small discoveries and Archie’s name

The prize extends beyond clothes. Archie received a box of toys and games put together by Patricia Rose, a Radio Flyer scooter, a skateboard, a book, a mini computer, a clock, a harmonica, art materials and a hot water bottle. There’s also a boxed quoits set donated by someone else, plus a marionette from the author, who goes by DollMum. The marionette and scooter make a particularly cheerful pairing in the photographs; another image shows Patricia Rose’s collection of smaller diversions together in its box.

Peaked cap.

Straw hat.

Front view of a grey sweater and hat.

Back view of the grey sweater and hat.

Striped cotton sweater.

Green tank top.

Fair Isle patterned sweater.

Yellow sweater.

Orange tank top.

Blue cable sweater.

Flecked sweater.

Grey cable sweater.

Winter cable sweater with a matching hat.

Most of Archie’s knitwear, excluding the Catherine French pieces.

An England souvenir shirt is also part of the group. The author notes that it isn’t made for a Gregor and suspects it may be intended for display rather than wear. That distinction is a small but useful reminder that a collection can include keepsakes alongside clothes made for dressing a doll.

The England souvenir shirt.

Archie’s accessories include a rucksack with a miniature fidget spinner tucked into its pocket. That tiny extra is the sort of discovery that rewards a closer look through a doll’s belongings: the collection holds both substantial handmade outfits and details easy to miss at first glance.

Book, mini computer, hot water bottle, skateboard, clock, toys, harmonica and art materials.

Patricia Rose’s box of toys and games.

Garden quoits by DollMum alongside Patricia Rose’s toy box.

Archie with his scooter and marionette.

The marionette donated by DollMum.

Archie’s rucksack.

The miniature fidget spinner found beside the rucksack.

His first featured outfit is the whale set, which the family thinks of as summer pyjamas. The final portrait captures Archie in it, now with a name and an extraordinary range of clothes ready for future changes. The family thanked Dawn and everyone who donated the boy and his belongings; with so many outfits in the collection, Archie even has enough to share with his brothers.

Archie wearing his whale outfit.