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DIY Waldorf doll vs. kit doll?  

post #1 of 19
10/26/08 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
I want to make my DS a Waldorf Doll for Christmas. I really like the idea of doing this myself - I have never made a doll, but I am a sewer and very crafty. But the dolls and beautiful looking skin fabrics of the kits keep calling to me. Plus, all of the materials are available in one place.

Anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other? I am not nervous about making a doll as a first timer - I just want something that will still be beautiful, along with functional.

I wish I could word my question a little better - but maybe some responses will help me better express my concerns?
post #2 of 19
10/26/08 at 8:25pm
I want to know, too.
post #3 of 19
10/26/08 at 8:33pm
subbing with interest
post #4 of 19
10/26/08 at 11:32pm
My first try I did a kit. And I can tell you right off...it's just a DIY as anything else...the only difference is that you've got the materials gathered for you. Maybe I misunderstand what you mean by DIY.
post #5 of 19
10/26/08 at 11:36pm
I'm with you guys on this one. There are so many awesome tutorials on MDC and the rest of the internet. I was thinking about getting a book or DVD for some guidance. Someone from here recommended "making waldorf dolls" but I haven't gotten any feed back on the DVDs.
post #6 of 19
10/27/08 at 2:16am
I think a class with an experienced doll maker is the best was to learn. Check out your local Waldorf school to see if they are offering a class or workshop. It's so helpful to have the guidance of a real doll maker in person so that you can see the techniques that are very hard to describe on paper. The sewing circle setting is wonderful way to learn, a lot of fun and I always pick up some new pointers, even though I have been making dolls for 30 years.

Joy Chambers is such an expert doll maker. I am so glad that she put out a DVD with all her techniques documented. I recommend it highly, since she doesn't seem to be giving classes in person, these days.

I would definitely recommend a kit, as well and even a pre-made head from one of the reputable doll suppliers, like Dancing Rain, Weir or Joy's. The head is supposed to be wrapped very tightly and be quite firm. You should have to press very hard to indent the wool when it is finished. Otherwise it will not hold up to play without distorting.

But any doll making is better than none, so if you can't afford a dvd or a class or even a kit, there are lots of ways to make lovely Waldorf inspired dolls using tea stained tee shirts as skin and tights as the inner tubing. Dental floss can be used to do the tying, (although it is hard on your hand when it slips). Good luck!
post #7 of 19
10/27/08 at 10:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3901sca View Post
My first try I did a kit. And I can tell you right off...it's just a DIY as anything else...the only difference is that you've got the materials gathered for you. Maybe I misunderstand what you mean by DIY.
What I mean is something more along the lines of assembling my own materials that aren't in the kits. Like tea-dying a tshirt for the skin, and having to come up with some of the other materials myself.

Quote:
Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi View Post
I think a class with an experienced doll maker is the best was to learn. Check out your local Waldorf school to see if they are offering a class or workshop.
I wish I had a Waldorf school in my area - I will check into the DVDs. Thank you for your opinions and expertise!
post #8 of 19
10/27/08 at 7:49pm
I recently used the kit from dancing rain dolls. I enjoyed it very much. but that is my only experience. I did also buy the pre-made head.
post #9 of 19
10/28/08 at 2:50pm
Well, I think it depends on if you plan to stuff with wool and buy wool yarn hair. I've made dolls with kits from Joy's in the past- and those were great. I am looking at making another doll for dd this year, I checked the cost of buying just the supplies I needed- hair, stuffing and a pattern in the size I wanted- it ended up costing more than a kit, and the kit takes a lot of the stress out of it for me, and has everything, not just those 3 things. This time I plan to get a kit from Dancing Rain.

I had sewn various things before making my first doll, and I've made dolls since without a kit, but I think for a first time experience, the kit is the way to go.
post #10 of 19
10/28/08 at 2:56pm
The Dancing Rain Dolls pattern is VERY easy to follow! Everything is broken down into easy to follow steps, and the whole thing is in e-book form. I like that the kit has everything assembled for you.
post #11 of 19
10/28/08 at 4:13pm

Hi

Hi all, I am new here and writing to say that I have learned how to make waldorf doll by myself and been making dolls for 2 years. i actually have started a professional business but I am willing to share my experince if you have any questions please see my flickr photos for my dolls


::

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laraandme/
post #12 of 19
10/30/08 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by OTMomma View Post
I checked the cost of buying just the supplies I needed- hair, stuffing and a pattern in the size I wanted- it ended up costing more than a kit,
Mmm.... good point. The cost of the kits is rather enticing. I was just starting to look at all those factors and hadn't added that up yet. I do have some wool on hand to make my own hair (I just read over the crochet cap tutorial), so I would need to buy the wool stuffing. But I was also thinking of making a couple of knotted dolls for my new niece and nephew. It might be cheaper to buy in bulk and then I have it.
post #13 of 19
11/5/08 at 2:28am
Sorry to come in late on this discussion...

I love making Waldorf dolls, and in the four years I've been making them, I feel like my skill level continues to improve. I got my start by ordering the Magic Cabin kits. They are super affordable and quite easy to follow. Now I buy the doll supplies in bulk and have bought and learned from both Joy's Waldorf doll DVD and Sarah's doll DVD...taking something from each style.

But when friends are inquiring on how to 'get started', I always send them to the Magic Cabin kit and say...call me if you have any questions and the DVDs are always available to borrow.

Good luck...

(I am hoping to make about eight dolls as gifts this Christmas, a few traditional Waldorf dolls, a couple of Star-babies [my own creation but similar to knot dolls], a couple of button-jointed dolls for my two-year old twin nieces, and a couple of six inch babies....SO...I should close this laptop and get going...Christmas is only seven weeks away!!!! AHHH!!!).
post #14 of 19
11/18/08 at 2:40am

Joy's DVD

Would anyone be willing to loan me your doll making DVD? I'd be happy to pay you something for it but would hate to spend close to $50. I live in Southern CA. Please let me know if anyone is interested. Thanks.
post #15 of 19
11/18/08 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scraphappy-Red View Post
(I am hoping to make about eight dolls as gifts this Christmas, a few traditional Waldorf dolls, a couple of Star-babies [my own creation but similar to knot dolls], a couple of button-jointed dolls for my two-year old twin nieces, and a couple of six inch babies....SO...I should close this laptop and get going...Christmas is only seven weeks away!!!! AHHH!!!).
I hear you on the AHH!!! I've got to finish up a big brother present for someone who had her baby earlier than anticipated, my niece's Christmas doll, a little velour one for a baby boy of a good friend, my daycare lady asked me to do one for her son, and a donation to a raffle! (And I'm super pleased to notice more boys than girls in that list!!!) Hooray for boy dolls!! But that doesn't include the other holiday projects. Double-AHHHHHH!!!! Super-mama's don't need sleep, right?!
post #16 of 19
11/18/08 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi View Post
...there are lots of ways to make lovely Waldorf inspired dolls using tea stained tee shirts as skin and tights as the inner tubing....
Such a great idea! I'm about to make a doll, and I like this idea -- makes it more homey. I had never thought of this, and now have googled how to tea stain a tee shirt... and I'm on my way. Thanks again.
post #17 of 19
11/19/08 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
As an update - I ended up ordering a kit from DRD. It came fast! I haven't started yet, but I can already see making him a few more from homemade materials to give it a more "scrappy" feel. I am excited to start - but I need to finish up a couple of other projects that I have going, first.

I also picked up an old wooden doll cradle at the Salvation Army today. : It needs to be painted (and one rocker needs to be re-secured), but I am excited to make a little quilt, pillow, and bed for it.
post #18 of 19
11/19/08 at 8:39pm
Oh how sweet! Please post pics for us all to enjoy when you are finished.
post #19 of 19
11/19/08 at 8:58pm
Please do pics! I'm going to try and start a new thread for doll pics. The old one was so inspiring!!!
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Mothering › Forums › Natural Family Living › Arts & Crafts › Toys and Dolls › DIY Waldorf doll vs. kit doll?