Has anyone used one of the heavy baby kits from Joys Waldorf Dolls?

[rbriansgirl]

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with the heavy baby doll kit from Joy's Waldorf Dolls? I have been trying to make one on my own without much luck and wondered if anyone has had any success with any of these kits?

[cinnamama]

I have not used a kit but am also trying to make a heavy baby type on my own. The one I am trying to make is similar to this

http://www.atoygarden.com/index.cfm?...C9308DD693DB26

At least I hope it comes out looking kind of like this. I just started a couple days ago - what problems have you run into?

[E.V. Lowi]

I don't care for the skin tone knit fabric that Joy sells. It is organic which is great, in theory, but it is too thin, it get holes in it, very easily and runs, and it pills like crazy. It is ok for small dolls but for anything over 12", I like to use the European fabric from www.dancingraindolls.com or www.playfulpixie.com www.weirdollsandcrafts.com dolls has some nice skin fabric, though not European, too. When you work that long and hard on a doll, you don't want it too look old and worn out, before it's finished which is the result when I use Joy's organic skin tone knit.

By the way, Amy Prentiss is having a special on her skin fabric for November: If you purchase a yard,she will give you her 12" Friendship Doll pattern for free!

[rbriansgirl]

Thanks!

Thank you for the comments! I really appreciate the help! E.V. Lowi for giving me your experience with these dolls. It is so hard to see what the material is like and feels like and what it will do from looking at the pics on the internet. Cinnamama, I was using the instructions posted on mothering by lala on how to make a waldorf doll, I just can't get the head right and am not sure about what fabrics to use, and maybe I'm just silly but what is a Stockingette? Thanks so much for your help and advice!

[E.V. Lowi]

Stockinette is the name for the cotton knitted tube that is used to cover the wool stuffing when making a Waldorf or German style doll head. Most doll supply stores (and medical supply, if you are looking for a quanitity) have this and it comes in different widths and thicknesses. Sometimes it is called "tubular gauze". It is a tube and the wider widths come in a double wall knitted weight and the more narrow widths used for the smaller dolls in a single wall knit. After rolling your head ball, you pull a section of stockinette over it and tie it with string, to get the head shape: the neck, the eyeline and the chin string. Feel free to PM me if you want.

[cinnamama]

rbriansgirl -

Good luck with your doll. For my first doll I purchased a pattern and bought the materials separate b/c I can't use wool. I personally found it helpful to follow the pattern for my first one. I know a lot of people like to use the kits, especially if they don't have sewing experience. Since then I have followed/adjusted patterns in books. This time I am using a pattern for a soft doll from the book Making Dolls. But I am changing it some to make it a weighted doll. I hope it comes out ok! I use a different method of making the head than you are using. There seem to be a lot of different ways to do it. I don't know the best way though. There are a lot of people here with experience that can help you. One question, are you trying to make a "heavy baby type" specifically or another type of waldorf doll? Good luck!

[rbriansgirl]

I was originally thinking about the heavy baby kit because I really like the face and head of the one found here: http://www.joyswaldorfdolls.com/doll...ittle_baby.htm , so that is what I had in mind but they don't have legs and I wanted to make one with legs so I am probably going to just get the pattern from: www.dancingraindolls.com/doll_kits/htm for the button jointed baby or the friendship doll, although I don't see much of a difference?! Maybe after I make one I can personalize it a little more but for now I think I will stick with a pattern.

Also, can you make them heavy when they have legs or do you have to use a "bag" body to make the heavy dolls? Does that make any sense?:

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by rbriansgirl

I was originally thinking about the heavy baby kit because I really like the face and head of the one found here: http://www.joyswaldorfdolls.com/doll...ittle_baby.htm , so that is what I had in mind but they don't have legs and I wanted to make one with legs so I am probably going to just get the pattern from: www.dancingraindolls.com/doll_kits/htm for the button jointed baby or the friendship doll, although I don't see much of a difference?! Maybe after I make one I can personalize it a little more but for now I think I will stick with a pattern.

Also, can you make them heavy when they have legs or do you have to use a "bag" body to make the heavy dolls? Does that make any sense?:

Sarah's dolls has a pattern for a Waldorf weighted baby doll with legs.
I'm not sure of the link.

[cinnamama]

Hi
I am making mine with legs. My pattern is for either a bag/sack body like the Joy's Heavy Baby or a doll with legs. I wanted to make it with legs. I just added the weights in with the stuffing in the arms and legs. Looks like you can add weights to the dancing rain button baby. You could always email her and ask if you can weight the friendship baby too. I don't see why not. I bet the button baby will look more like a "baby" as opposed to a child/toddler like doll. The button baby will have movable arms and legs. My first doll was similar but a different pattern. These look really really sweet. I am tempted to take advantage of the November doll fabric special to get the free friendship pattern. I don't have any plans to make another doll soon though! Oh, you could always get a pre-made head if you are nervous about making the head. Good luck.

[erin a]

E.V. Lowi - thanks for the skin tone tips! The last doll I made for DD (using Joy's organic skin tone) got a hole in it! I was wondering what I did wrong, but maybe it was just the fabric. I'll bookmark the suggestions you gave for stronger cotton for the next doll. Thanks!

[lupineperriwinkle]

I got some fabric from Dancing Rain Dolls and I love love love it! Her pattern is pretty unique compared to the others I have as well.

[GoodWillHunter]

I've made several dolls with Joy's skintone knit and have never had a problem. I think I've made, total, about 20 dolls with it for friends and family.

[StrawHatBrat]

I found the quality of Joys skintone knit excellent.

[StrawHatBrat]

Also adding, you can get holes/runs in any knit fabric if you don't use the correct needle. You need to use a ballpoint needle that pushes through the fibers and doesn't break them.

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by StrawHatBrat

Also adding, you can get holes/runs in any knit fabric if you don't use the correct needle. You need to use a ballpoint needle that pushes through the fibers and doesn't break them.

I used a size 70 for knits, but it still runs along the seam allowances. Also, when I run the large doll making needle through the head--I don't believe that they make a 5" knit needle.

The problem with Joy's fabric is that it is a short staple cotton. This is why it pills so much. The wonderful European fabic is a long staple cotton, not just thicker. Try it and you will notice the difference instantly. Over time, the difference is remarkable. Wait till you try to wash the doll!

[rbriansgirl]

I got my fabric and supplies from Dancing Rain Dolls and I really love the fabric. It is so soft. Now we'll see about making the doll. I really love the patterns too they are so cute! I am going to make the button baby doll. Amy has been really helpful with answering all of my questions and the supplies were shipped super fast! I can't wait to get started!

[cinnamama]

Are you going to weight the button baby? What will you use? I finished my doll and am happy with it. I wish I had used a different method for the hair but it still cute. I think I said I used a pattern from Making Dolls but I meant Making Waldorf Dolls. I did have to adjust it some. I weighted it so I used an inner muslin lining. I am going to order some doll skin fabric from Amy this month and make the friendship doll eventually. I am curious to see this fabric. I think I will also try the cotton velvet. Let us know how this doll turns out.

[rbriansgirl]

I didn't weight it this time. I was making it for my dd who is only 1 1/2 and decided not to. However, I had so much fun making this doll that I will probably be making two more for both my ds' and I might try weighting them. Amy sent me an email and told me how to weight the body using fine aquarium sand and making a pouch with an old t-shirt. If you want the instructions she sent me I can post them I just don't have it with me at the moment. I will post pics of how the doll turned out as soon as I get the hair done because I don't crochet and sent the doll home with my mom so she could make the cap for me. Lame, I know. I am just going to have to learn how to crochet for myself, but in the meantime... I hope everyone else who is working on a doll will post their experience and pics as well. It was a lot of fun actually and Amy from Dancing Rain Dolls made everything so simple and was always willing to answer all of my questions, really quick too!

[Vixenmama]

:

[AutumnMelody]

I would love to see the directions for weighting a doll with sand! Do you think that it would be washable with sand? For me that's one of the big drawbacks of using millet.