- Dineh dolls
Plain Jane Designs
Dineh Doll Designer – Jane Todachiny
“I grew up in a traditional Dineh family on the reservation in Bluff, Utah. I started hand-sewing with my mom at the age of 6. Mom was a weaver. She would cut patterns and I would hand stitch them.
We had nine children in our family – I was the eldest. Money was hard to come by. Mom bought material, I designed outfits. She continued to teach me in my pre-teens and I started making traditional Dineh clothing. In High School I took Home Economics and I learned to make patterns. Once I know how to read patterns I made my own clothes – dresses, skirts, pants.
As a young mother life took me in a new direction. I was approached to start a traditional dance troupe in Salt Lake City, Utah. My dad had a dance troupe in Buff, Utah where he was also teaching Dineh in the schools. He showed up in Salt Lake City with a children’s troupe. I fell in love with the dance group- I thought – why don’t we start on here in Toole, Utah.
I spoke to a few of the ladies – they were excited. I immediately began creating outfits for the children, starting with my daughter. My dad started teaching me the songs for the dances. We traveled to Cedar City, Montana and Idaho. Our Dance group in Toole was called Four Peak Dance Troupe.
My company is called Plain Jane Designs. I’m a simple woman that loves laughter and meeting people. That’s why the name Plain Jane. Each Dineh doll, like a unique person has it’s own personality. I love life, I love living on the Rez, walking in water, rolling in sand. I grew up on the reservation. I raised my children in the city, but my heart is here. I’m most comfortable in a dirt hogan.
Now that I’m a grandmother it’s time for the children. Children are my passion. I want to maintain and preserve my culture, increase the quality of life for myself and my people, yet remain self-sufficient. I want that for all the Grandmothers. I have a passion for making handmade collectible Dineh dolls, doll outfits and dance outfits for Pow-Wows and children. Each doll, like a person, has it’s own personality reflecting daily life.
It’s important to teach children dance so they can learn traditional ways. I was raised in a traditional family. As a child I was taught our Native dances and culture by my parents and grandmother. It’s important to re-learn traditional ways if we have been away in the cities. We should be teaching our children. They need to know their heritage- they need to know they are Dineh children. By making dolls I can share my culture with children all over the world”.
