Where do you all buy wool stuffing?

[Annikate]

I am going to try my hand at making a doll for dd for Christmasa and I'm so inspired by many of you mamas that I want to start right away!

I have very little sewing ability and do not own a sewing machine so I'm going to do this all by hand. (I feel more confident in my ability to do it by hand. I did make a doll once in the third grade and it came out pretty darned good. )

I would like to use wool to stuff it with. Where do you mamas buy yours? The only place I have locally is Joanne's and they don't carry it (at least I didn't see it listed on their web site.)

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[isaberg]

Magic cabin has it, but it's really pricey. Talk to someone who spins; they often have a lot of wool sitting around that's not been carded up. If you have trouble tracking some down, PM me - I've got plenty and am always happy to trade.

[E.V. Lowi]

For Waldorf type doll making, it's best to have clean, carded batts. That way you can tear the batts into the strips that you need to wrap and roll the head and limbs into shape. The best source is West Earl Woolen Mills-Ph.#717-859-2241.
They are the wholesale supplier for almost all the doll makers and prepackaged kits that you see for sale. The price is less than half of what these places are selling it for. This is a wonderful family run business and they are especially nice and helpful on the phone, so please reciprocate!

Best Wishes and Happy Dolling!

[Annikate]

Thanks! I am going to try a Waldorf-type doll so I will need to wrap the head and limbs. I'm using the directions posted in one of the other dollmaking threads. It's for beginners so I *should* be able to do it!

[Pam_and_Abigail]

Depending on where you live you might be able to hook up with a farmer. I get local wool from a farm here in NS for $6 unwashed or $8 washed, per pound. It comes still curly with the ocasional piece of straw, but it feels really homey. And even more local to me, we know a man who raises lambs for meat, and just gives away the fleece! I tried to get some this year, but it was all gone before I got in touch with him. We're in a rural farm area, but try asking around at famers markets maybe. I did use it to make a 12" waldorf doll, but the PP poster is right that clean carded batts are better. For small dolls I find this stuf really great.