I’ve completed the sleeper set; my first completed set! Meet my little dreamers.
My first, and probably only ever, complete outfit set!
The Sleeper outfit (#2) is one of the original 1983 Series outfits and has the least number of letters used in the clothing codes. It is the ‘easiest’ to collect all the different versions. Although I have a few that are recorded as being produced by two factories, I have decided that my ‘set’ is complete with one example of each letter. (AKA, one of each colour)
As this outfit was only produced for one year, and I am an A-type personality, I wanted to make sure the kids and the clothing matched. Therefore, the majority of these kids are 1983 bald kids, and the clothing factory matches the doll’s factory. It took me quite some time to find the last kid, Walker. I’ve had his sleeper for over a year!
The 1983 regular kids clothing series uses the cutest patches, but it’s like holiday elves lived in the factory! Sometimes the patches aren’t on the outfits they’re supposed to be!
Informative Note: It turns out I’ve been using the wrong word to describe these things. I have no idea where I learned applique, but they’re actually patches.
Embroidered patch: a piece of embroidery that is created by using a fabric backing and thread. They can be attached with a pin, sewn on, or affixed with more modern methods such as iron-on, dryer heat-activated adhesive, and velcro backing. (Ref) Applique: ornamental needlework in which pieces fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. (Ref)
There are 6 or 7 PATCHES that were used on six of the 1983 Regular series Coleco outfits.
Each of the outfits that came with a patch generally came with a specific patch on it.
However, occasionally, the patch found on an outfit isn’t the ‘correct’ one. No one is quite sure why this happened, but here are a few theories:
During production, they ran out of the ‘correct’ patch and just grabbed whichever one was closest at hand and used it.
It was done intentionally, for reasons unknown.
Some of the ‘incorrect’ patches may have been replacements for those that had fallen off. However, as so many MIB kids with incorrect patches have been found, this cannot explain all of them.
As button ducky dresses and outfits with transparent buttonshave been located with ‘incorrect’ patches, this practice must have started quite early in production.
The majority of the ‘incorrect’ patches I have recorded are on OK outfits, with a scattering on P outfits. I have only one Taiwanese factory outfit recorded with an incorrect patch, an AX outfit. The rarity of this find can also be attributed to the fact that Taiwanese clothing is not as abundant as China factory clothing.
The ‘Foreign’ Patches
Some of the patches engender questions. The bunny patch and the sheep patch are greatly questioned.
BunnySource of the Bunny picture unknown. Lamb picture courtesy of Cathleen Mary.
I’ve found this patch on early 1983 and 1984 kids, both examples on outfit 15J OK. It has also been seen on a Tsukuda . (Jan 2023)
Courtesy of Holly Spencer.
Almost all the bunny and sheep patches have been found on OK outfits; only one has been found on an AX outfit. It would appear that both have an East Asian influence in look and/or use. Although they appear to be legitimately CPK, the bunny, at least, can also be found on aftermarket outfits.
Courtesy of Callie Anne
As noted above, this does not preclude the outfits from being genuine CPK. There’s evidence of aftermarket outfits using ‘genuine’ CPK patches. For example, this Sunshine Kids outfit, produced by Playmates, has an elephant patch.
Courtesy of Holly Van Warcup
Both the Shilllman Company and Playmates manufactured their toys in Hong Kong (Ref), the same place Coleco could have acquired their patches from. It appears that more than one toymaker used the same supplier!
Interestingly, all of the elephant patches on ‘incorrect’ outfits (aka not Elephant Rompers) have a trunk shape that matches the trunk shape of the Tsukuda and aftermarket outfit patches.
Could all these elephants have come from the same supplier? Maybe the elephants on the ‘incorrect’ outfits were a last-minute order or ordered when their regular supplier ran out. Jump to Part 2 for details
S-shaped trunkC-shaped trunkCoutresy of Shelbie N Gregory and Jenna Kate Parrington.
Either way, the bunny parch is rare on CPK outfits and the sheep patch even more so.
Originally I thought this outfit never had an ‘incorrect’ patch. It is still extremely rare, but one has been spotted! Special thank you to Sean Goins.
Photo courtesy of Sean Goins.
Interestingly, all the outfits that I have recorded have the S-shaped trunk patch; none use the C. This strengthens the argument that the C-shaped trunk patches were ‘secondary’ to the S-shaped ones.
Well, this isn’t candy, but they’re still sweet! Happy Halloween!
There are six costumes sleepers that were produced by Coleco.
Bear
Rabbit
Lamb/Sheep
Lion
Mouse
Reindeer
Lamb photo courtesy of Kat Perhouse.
These cute outfits came out in 1985 and were only sold separately packaged until . . .
Photo courtesy of Jenna Richardson Pryor.
. . . later, in 1986, as Coleco was clearing out stock, they could be found on boxed kids. (Ref#2, p. 90, Ref#4, 1986 Iss. 3, p.5)
They are two versions of each sleeper. The first set that came out had only the green Cabbage Patch Kids logo on the right breast. They were all made by the IJ factory in Korea. The second set also had an embroidered crest of their animal on the breast under the logo. These were made by the LF (China) and IJ (Taiwan) factories. The LF version of the second set is easier to find. I’m not even sure if IJ made all of the second set.
The ‘double tag’ seems to be the earliest. The square version is most likely the newer one. I am unsure why some were coded with a sticker.
Tag with sticker
Double tag
LF sticker tag picture courtesy of Kat Perhouse.
The most obvious difference between the IJ and LF versions is the crest. On the IJ version, it is embroidered directly to the fabric. In the LF version, it is an applique that is glued on.
Produced for only a short time, sleepers are adorable!
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that this outfit belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Nightie-Night (Ref#4, Vol 3 Iss. 9, p. 6)
Description: Terry cloth sleeper that velcros up the front, a bear patch on the left breast, and a pom-pom at the toes (generally). Many also have some form of lace decoration (refer to variations below).
Outfit 2J HK
Originally Sleepers were sold in 1983 on boxed kids. Around June of 1983, they started being sold packaged, with socks and shoes. Presumably, they were sold until the stock ran out. They were no longer being produced by early 1984 at the latest. (Ref#4, Vol 3, Iss.8, p. 4; FB conversation with Leah Salt, April 2019) However, there is evidence that some stock of this outfit was still being sold off as separately packaged outfits as late as 1987. (Ref#4, Iss. 5, p.4)
Version Information
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 2D OK that is pink, not purple) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
For more information on my completed sleeper collection visit: My Little Dreamers
Sleepers were not manufactured by the primary factories CC, SS or PMI. The PMI and foreign factories did not start manufacturing until after production of the Sleepers ceased.
Variations:
> There appear to be three lace patterns used on Sleepers. The pattern appears to be factory specific, rather than gender-specific, as many collectors have speculated.
Version 1: Full – KT factory and P Factory – lace down either side of the velcro and around the collar Version 2: Partial – KT Factory – lace around the collar and sleeve hems Version 3: No lace – OK Factory – They used no lace at all.
FullPartialNo LaceMiddle picture courtesy of Erin Cavill.
> Mimic Outfits: Similar footed sleeper-type outfits were created for preemies, Sipping Kids, and BBB‘s but this is the only 16″ outfit of its type.
> The crotch closure depends on the factory. The OK and KT factories do not open where the crotch meets the front closure, whereas the P factory outfits open entirely.
Other Information:
> The patches used can vary. The teddy bear patches on the sleepers are yellow and gold colours whereas the teddy bear patches on the Cord Suit(#5) tend to be in shades of brown and dark beige. > Sleepers were sold on bald dolls, both boys and girls. This was one of the only outfits that had bald girls. (Ref#4, Vol 3, Iss. 8, p. 4)
