Anyone make Waldorf style dolls??

[starbright]

Just curious. I just started making them in April and it is really addicting. I bought the patterns from Magic Cabin Dolls and they were very easy to follow. I made 2 "Star" dolls (one green, one deep blue) and a blue "bunting" doll for my mom.

I am currently making a "Baba" (toddler) doll for my son's first birthday.

I've also made a couple blanket babies with "Waldorf" style heads and knotted hands.

What I love about the doll making is that unlike some of the other sewing I do, the dolls can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. I like that I can pick up where I left off very easily without dragging a lot of supplies.

When I finish up some other projects I am going to order some other patterns, I would love to try the gnome dolls or the felt animals next.

[LaLa]

i've made many!

i love them

doll

doll 2

[starbright]

LaLa, those are beautiful. I haven't attempted a full head of hair yet, just bangs

I am really impressed with your work!!

[LaLa]

:LOL those were some of my first dolls.

I have made some that are much nicer for trades and such.


I made a mermaid doll once for a friend that came out pretty neat!

I love making them !

[willowsmama]

I knit some that turned out pretty neat. I'd show a pic but I haven't a clue how.

[starbright]

Helen, do you knit the whole doll?? Wow, I really need to learn to knit!

LaLa.. I saw that magic cabin has a mermaid pattern, maybe when I buy some more patterns I should add that one to my list.

[LaLa]

I have purchased patterns from them, but I prefer shopping at LittleJoys or Weirdolls

Not sure if either of them carry a mermaid pattern, though?

[willowsmama]

Yup the whole doll is knit. I run hair through the stitches and embroider eyes, nose and mouth. I think they look pretty cute. I even traded one for some diapers with a WAHM.

[starbright]

LaLa-- I buy my supplies from Weirdolls but I have not heard of LittleJoys (I'll have to check that out!!) THANKS!

Helen-- I so wish I could see one of your dolls but I know that I don't know how to post pics either One of these days I should try to figure it out!! They sound so cute!!

[LaLaLuna]

LaLa- can you post a link to LittleJoys (if they have a website)? When I tried typing littlejoys.com I got a Japanese website that definately didn't ahve anything to do with dolls. :LOL

I've made a few dolls from magic cabin patterns- what a satisfying hobby! And ITA with starbright- it's practically instant gratification compared to some of the other things I make. Now I want to take the basic ideas from the magic cabin patterns and try making my own designs. What do y'all think a fun doll to make would be? Mermaids are cute but I don't think they'd appeal to my boys. Maybe I'll try a Ms. Frizzle doll for my 6 y.o. Wonder how I'd get the nose right?

[LaLa]

http://www.waldorfshop.net/joyswaldorfdolls/order.htm
That is the little joys link!

I think it would be great to do your own patterns!

I started doing that out of laziness and if I ever get around to it, I will add my patterns as printouts for free so ANYONE can make a doll without spending $$$

That irked me in the begining that I couldn't make one without dropping a bunch of Cash first!
:LOL

[starbright]

LaLaLuna-- Once I learned how to basically make a Waldorf doll from the Magic Cabin Patterns, I was able to create a "blanket" doll for my son. It is really cute and he loved it so much I am now currently trying to recreate it so I have a spare. It really wasn't too hard to make a new pattern since the originals are pretty simple.

What about gnome dolls for your boys instead of mermaids. I am thinking of the gnome dolls next since I have a little boy. :

I also have not entered into making noses on the dolls yet and I haven't been able to find out how to make them free on the net so I may have to buy a pattern.

LaLa-- I checked out the LittleJoy patterns and I wanted all of them, so cute. I love the button jointed dolls and the ones that had separate arms/legs. Very cute.

[starbright]

LaLa--I just checked your link and read through your instructions for the Waldorf doll. Guess what?? You provide FREE nose instructions :LOL however, what kind of bead do you put for the nose?? and how do you sew it to the stockinette???
TIA

[LaLa]

The noses can be done with a little bead sewn onto the interlock fabric under teh skin colored fabric


Just make sure your bead won't show through (don't use a dark colored one if you use light colored fabric.

You could even add an extra layer of interlock over it before the skin fabric if you wanted!

There are two places online that have free instructions that I know of for waldorf dolls

pm me if you'd like

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I don't use beads anymore for noses, cause my boys always seemed to wiggle them off somehow, then they're floating under the skin adn always wind up looking like the poor doll has a funky wart somewhere on its face, LOL!

WHan I do now is take thread, and with really small stitches (about 6 of them) do a small circle (about 3-4mm wide), and then pull the thread tight so that it puckers the fabric and makes a nice little bump for a nose. Only thing is, you've got to triple or quadruple the thread so it doesn't break, although it finally dawmed on me last time I made a doll for SIL's babe-on-the-way, to use DMC emrboidery floss and that worked like a charm!

[intymama]

Lala!
When I saw the photo links to the waldorf dolls you've made I knew they look familiar My good friend just e-mailed me a link to your page!! They are beautiful. What great instructions. Thanks a lot for being so generous. You've inspired me to make one for my son.

Jula

[LaLa]

oh cool, i'd love to see pics!

And Teresa, that is a GREAT idea!

[intymama]

Lala,
I was looking at your directions of how to make a waldorf doll (so I can collect the materials before hand) Can I use polyester stuffing instead of wool to stuff the doll's head?

Jula

[LaLa]

Yes you can. It works just fine.

[intymama]

Thanks for the info