new ikea dolls?

[dakotablue]

i'm looking in to waldorf, so bare with me. Has anyone seen the new dolls at ikea? It seems to me that they are 'waldorfy' but wasn't sure.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40196302

[zoebird]

the only major difference is that they have a facial expression -- they are smiling instead of just a line or non-smiling mouth. 

in waldorf, we tend to use dolls and figures without facial expressions so that the child can have the doll emote.

but, i don't think it's absolute or absolutely necessary. plenty of children with smiling dolls have hteir dolls cry and experience other emotions so, it's not a big deal, imo.

[Melaniee]

Funny enough, I just saw them this week.  I find their faces to be a bit odd. Not because of the expressions, they just are strange. I think they had button arms and legs so they moved. I wouldn't say they are Waldorf dolls, but they are soft and cuddly.

[calynde]

well they are in the ballpark and you can't beat the price...for anyone that has that as an issue. 

[JudiAU]

I'd say "soft and cuddly" rather than Waldorf.  Waldorf dolls traditionally have more neutral expressions and are made of natural fibers. The expense comes from both more expensive fabrics, especially wool stuffing rather than synthetic or cotton, and the fact that a lot of people want/value dolls that are handmade.

But if that is close to your budget, I'd jump and buy one. I doubt you are going to find a less expensive, pretty neutral fabric doll. And it is probably much better quality than a non-Ikea doll.

If your budget is more flexible, these dolls are more in keeping with the Waldorf spirit (natural fibers, made by hand, pretty neutral faces) and are less expensive options than many. Great doll for younger children: http://www.atoygarden.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=601  or older child http://www.palumba.com/product/camden_girl_dolls/432/?catID=86 (not inexpensive, but about half the cost of others, face a bit more expressive than traditional) . Pattern here if you are crafty: http://www.palumba.com/product/bright_eyes_doll_pattern/946/?catID=86

[melissa17s]

As a doll the Ikea doll is fine, but it is not Waldorf.  With Waldorf the eyes and mouth are minimal to encourage a child's imagination to fill in the emotion and detail. Also eye spacing is important with Waldorf; I see many people making "Waldorf" dolls on etsy, and they have a very wrong eye spacing- others there also get them right.   They need to be small eyesjust the color of the iris, but very wide apart to give a dreamy look.   The noses are a small lump, if a Waldorf doll has one at all.  With the Ikea doll, there is too much expression because the features are too detailed.  

Another important aspect of the Waldorf doll, which looks missed by the Ikea doll is the weight.  When making the heads, it is very dense wool batting stuffed into an inner organic (preferably) cotton inner lining.  This lining is stitched and manipulated to make the shape.  Then an outer layer head is slipped over top for actual head/face.  Adding hair is quite extensive.  The bodies are generally simpler interms of hands and feet, but more densely packed with stuffing.  

I would say the cost of a Waldorf doll is the materials, yes, but even more so the amount used and the large amount of time it takes to make them.  If you can afford them, Waldorf dolls are worth it.  The first doll we got for my dd was from Joy's Waldorf Dolls, but I think she only sells parts now.  We have got decent quality dolls from Magic Cabin in a couple of sizes.  We have found great clothes at holiday flea markets and look for pieces made for the commercial dolls around the same size.  

[appalachiamama]

They seem like a pleasant alternative to plastic dolls.  I agree that the cost for Waldorf dolls is in the materials and time.  I have made three and the head is so time consuming and must be done entirely by hand.

[Bird Girl]

The ikea dolls are a little odd looking in person. For me, they fell into the uncanny valley http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley . But if you had a little one who wanted one when you went to the store, I can't see that it would be harmful.

[MommyKelly]

So I went to Ikea to see the dolls yesterday LOL. They are nothing like the waldorf dolls we have. That being said, I did get one for my 5 yo foster son because it does offer some of the same "features" of a waldorf doll, like not being plastic. They are a good deal at $9.99, but not a "waldorf doll" for sure. Also I have no idea what the girl one look like as they were sold out and only had the boys in stock.

[jumpmama]

IMO the most important part of having a doll is your child having something to love, something they can dress, pretend with, dream with. Just the general loving warmth a soft doll gives is so important. An Ikea doll could do that just like a waldorf doll. I think I remember reading somewhere that steiner believes a hand made doll brings more "warmth" through the doll, though. I cant quote exactly.

I really think the ikea doll is much better than the plastic variety and a great alternative if your budget doesn't allow a waldorf doll.

[dogretro]

Product description

Fabric: 100 % polyester
Filling: Polyester fiber fill
Plastic part: ABS plastic

 

The doll is made entirely of polyester; therefore, the doll is made of plastic.  We have lots of stuffed animals, so nothing personal against polyester, but it is still just a soft plastic.