Advice needed about Waldorf-style doll resources

[Banana731]

Hello,

I have a question for all you wise talented ladies! I am interested in making waldorf-style dolls for my little ones and perhaps later, family and friends. I know my way around a sewing machine, but I have never made a doll before. Would you recommend a book or a DVD? Any one in particular?

Thanks in advance!

[KJoslyn78]

I made my first last year - and i TOTALLY recommend the doll kit from Dancing Rain Dolls. The instructions has step-by-step pictures, as well as wording, and the Owner Amy was always more then happy to answer my questions.

I had gotten 2 kits from DRD for last year, and plan on getting at least 1 for this year

[RollerCoasterMama]

Ditto! The kits are are great because she includes all the specialty things that are a bit harder to get at the regular craft stores! And her patterns are pretty fool-proof! (Plus with my kit, she already had the pattern marked on the fabric so I didn't have to worry about cutting with the stretch in the wrong direction (which was the first thing I did when trying to do it on my own the first time!!).

[sunanthem]

There are also tutes here and lots of advice on the net.

[PNWmama]

Making Waldorf Dolls. I have it and love it.

[flowers]

:

[iowaorganic]

I recommend Dancing Rain Dolls as well- the materials are great- the help from Amy is great- it just ends up being a good experience!

[E.V. Lowi]

Add me to the Amy/Dancing Rain Fan Club~

[BethSLP]

Can some of you chime in about the level of expertise needed? Could a beginner do it? I have a sewing machine and have sewed a few things, but I'm definetly not "advanced." I think if the directions are good like you say, I could probably figure it out, but I'm concerned about any prerequisite skills I may need. Like do I need to know how to crochet prior to doing this, since the hair is crocheted...or are there directions for that too?

Any thoughts on how a newbie would do with trying to make a Dancing Rain Waldorf doll?

XOXO
B

[E.V. Lowi]

A beginner can do it! There is not that much sewing to do and it can be done by hand, if you don't want to use a machine. IMHO, the face embroidery is the most difficult part to get right, especially on the first try. Some crocheting is involve when making the wig. The process of rolling and tying the inner head is confusing to some but easy once you know how. You can purchase a pre-made head if you want to skip this part of even if you just want to have a sample to follow. The high quality of the materials sold by DRD makes the work so much easier and the results are worth it. Best of luck and Happy Dolling! :

[BethSLP]

just looking for advice now about the optional "yarn blend." Should I do it, or just stick with the mohair thats included in the kit. I really like how the texture of the mermaid hair looks. it looks like the included yarn is pretty straight and flat.... but then it gives you the option to choose "curly" on the order form, so does that get you the mohair boucle then?? and she goes on to say all her custom dolls are done with a blend....which makes me think the blend is a good choice..... ack!

I'm already confused. maybe this means I'm not meant to do this. hahhahaa.

XOXO
B

[KJoslyn78]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

A beginner can do it! There is not that much sewing to do and it can be done by hand, if you don't want to use a machine. IMHO, the face embroidery is the most difficult part to get right, especially on the first try. Some crocheting is involve when making the wig. The process of rolling and tying the inner head is confusing to some but easy once you know how. You can purchase a pre-made head if you want to skip this part of even if you just want to have a sample to follow. The high quality of the materials sold by DRD makes the work so much easier and the results are worth it. Best of luck and Happy Dolling! :

Yup! I could have written this word for word!

I made my very first doll last November. I'm a very beginning/novice when it comes to sewing... so i was scared! I did buy a pre-made head, but i'm about to order a pre-sewn body (my machine is being fritzy) to make a doll for my oldest dd... but will be making the inner head myself for the first time. i was awesome to see what a inner head SHOULD look like when i ordered it first

the face wasn't to hard - thanks to having 3 colored pins to help with placement first. Make sure you have the 5" needle (1 of the few items not in the kits, but you can add to your order)

I was also concerned about sewing the body, as it's "knit" fabric... but the material is such a great quality, it was fine! Do make sure you have ball point needles though (i was able to get them right from DRD too).

As for the hair, i'm not sure about the blended hair, i went with just plain mohair for hair. if you can single crochet, you'll be all set. There are a few posts on MDC about others knitting the hair cap... or even sewing down hair as well i think

anyways - good luck and happy doll-making!

[E.V. Lowi]

The blended hair is nice because it doesn't matt down as easily as just pain straight mohair does. The blends stay fluffy longer.

[BethSLP]

Any thoughts on if I should do the same color hair as DD or another color?

I considered the funky pink mermaid hair at first, but now I think I'll go with a regular hair color and regular doll, and have my mom make some funky fairy outfits and such to accessorize her.

My DD has blond hair, but for some reason I am drawn toward the cinnamon colored hair. Anyone who has made a lot of these notice any difference as to how a child reacts if it looks "like them" vs. just a pretty doll with different colored features??

Also, DD's hair is straight, but the dolls I saw on DRD with curly hair looked like cuter fuller hair to me.

I know i'm over thinking this but this is a big project for me, so I want to do it "right." hehehe.

Also, E.V. Lowi, after seeing your dolls, I'm taking your "you can do it" with a grain of salt. You are clearly FAR more talented than I. Beautiful work. I love the centaur and the merpeople.

XOXO
B

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by BethSLP

Any thoughts on if I should do the same color hair as DD or another color?

I considered the funky pink mermaid hair at first, but now I think I'll go with a regular hair color and regular doll, and have my mom make some funky fairy outfits and such to accessorize her.

My DD has blond hair, but for some reason I am drawn toward the cinnamon colored hair. Anyone who has made a lot of these notice any difference as to how a child reacts if it looks "like them" vs. just a pretty doll with different colored features??

Also, DD's hair is straight, but the dolls I saw on DRD with curly hair looked like cuter fuller hair to me.

I know i'm over thinking this but this is a big project for me, so I want to do it "right." hehehe.

Also, E.V. Lowi, after seeing your dolls, I'm taking your "you can do it" with a grain of salt. You are clearly FAR more talented than I. Beautiful work. I love the centaur and the merpeople.

XOXO
B

Oh! I made one with straight cinnemon hair and she came out super cute!!! I love her!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3097561...7607553727350/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3097561...7607553727350/

(She's only my third doll ever if that strengthens your confidence!) Something I learned the hard way (doll #4)---it takes more yarn than you think--I ended up mixing in some not quite the same color curly yarn to fill it in---no pics of that one are up! The other thing I learned the hard way (doll #2) the curly hair makes for Big Hair. Doll #2 looks like me in the morning before I braided her hair back!

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by BethSLP

Any thoughts on if I should do the same color hair as DD or another color?

I considered the funky pink mermaid hair at first, but now I think I'll go with a regular hair color and regular doll, and have my mom make some funky fairy outfits and such to accessorize her.

My DD has blond hair, but for some reason I am drawn toward the cinnamon colored hair. Anyone who has made a lot of these notice any difference as to how a child reacts if it looks "like them" vs. just a pretty doll with different colored features??

Also, DD's hair is straight, but the dolls I saw on DRD with curly hair looked like cuter fuller hair to me.

I know i'm over thinking this but this is a big project for me, so I want to do it "right." hehehe.

Also, E.V. Lowi, after seeing your dolls, I'm taking your "you can do it" with a grain of salt. You are clearly FAR more talented than I. Beautiful work. I love the centaur and the merpeople.

XOXO
B

OMG! How sweet you are! Thank you! :

You can make a headband or a fall that incorporates some of the fantasy yarns into the hair that can be added or removed depending on the mood of the child. A pull on mermaid's tail works the same way. I think it's wonderful if the first doll has the same coloring and features as the child, but that is no guarantee that the child will bond with that particular doll. I have seen many fair featured children bond with an doll of color and reverse, as well.

I have been making Waldorf dolls for a while, it's true but my dd says she likes my first tries the best. Your child will love whatever you come up with. If *YOU* are not happy the the first results, that is just the perfect reason to make another (and another......)

[BethSLP]

I did it! I ordered my kit! : I just read over most of the instructions, and I'm not feeling TOO scared just yet. I decided to make the doll look like DD but with longer hair. So blond straight hair with a yarn blend and blue eyes. I was looking at pics of the boucle yarn, and I think the straight yarn might be a bit easier for me to look at when I try to crochet for the first time.....if that makes sense.

I'm really excited now. I can't wait to start.

I did order a premade head. I'll probably just use it. I was considering using it as a model and doing my own head, but the directions make the head look a little daunting. Maybe I'll go for it next time....at least I will have SEEN one in real life and know what I'm going for....

I'm excited about her pattern and how all the pieces go together. Seems like a very smart sturdy construction.

THANKS for all the advice!!
XOXO
B

P.S. 3901, your doll is precious!!

[KJoslyn78]

: trust me - its not as bad as it may seem - i love how there are pictures with the instructions (i'm a very visular learner)

the one thing i like better about 3901sca dolls over the pattern was she sewd the arms right into the body - instead of the way anyother doll instruction i've ever seen does it (attached at the shoulder somehow).

My dolls are listed in my blog - links in my siggy (it's my name)

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by KJoslyn78

: trust me - its not as bad as it may seem - i love how there are pictures with the instructions (i'm a very visular learner)

the one thing i like better about 3901sca dolls over the pattern was she sewd the arms right into the body - instead of the way anyother doll instruction i've ever seen does it (attached at the shoulder somehow).

My dolls are listed in my blog - links in my siggy (it's my name)

I kept finding myself wincing a bit every time DS grabbed his doll by the arm (or leg) and ran off. Since his is button joined and weighted it made me nervous. The next ones, it just seemed like a logical adjustment!! No more wincing--I'm comfortable actually handing a doll over to a toddler boy and don't wince! (I figure if something can stand up to him, it's good for anyone!!!)

[KJoslyn78]

Originally Posted by 3901sca

I kept finding myself wincing a bit every time DS grabbed his doll by the arm (or leg) and ran off. Since his is button joined and weighted it made me nervous. The next ones, it just seemed like a logical adjustment!! No more wincing--I'm comfortable actually handing a doll over to a toddler boy and don't wince! (I figure if something can stand up to him, it's good for anyone!!!)

I know what you mean! my 2 yr old ds drags his around by one of the arms... i'm getting ready to snip off the clothing (i sewed them on to make them not removedable) and wash his doll (and boy does it NEED it!)... i'll have to take pics of how the arms held up just sewn on at the shoulder LOL