| No doubt about it, there's a certain mystique about | | | | does seem quite costly. On the other hand, if you've |
| Waldorf dolls, and with good reason. Every Waldorf | | | | worked with the poly fluff, then worked with wool, I |
| doll is individually made by hand. That fact alone sets | | | | think you'll agree that the difference in quality is far |
| them apart from the mass of commercially produced | | | | greater than the difference in price. |
| toys. These irresistible dolls achieve their distinctive | | | | A one-pound package of wool batting will make a |
| appearance by means of a unique construction | | | | large doll, or several smaller ones. If you are making a |
| method, and their uncommonly huggable feel is the | | | | small doll, you might consider purchasing material with a |
| result of only all natural materials. | | | | friend and sharing the cost. The cotton interlock fabric |
| But don't be fooled! Uncommon though they are, they | | | | that makes the best doll skin is sold in generous widths. |
| deserve to be far less rare. There's no good reason | | | | A ½-yard cut will definitely make several dolls, so |
| why the pleasure of making Waldorf dolls should be | | | | is good for sharing. |
| reserved for only a handful of highly skilled artisans. | | | | You may also be able to recycle some materials as a |
| If you've ever wanted to try making a Waldorf doll, but | | | | thrifty alternative. A cotton tee-shirt that has been |
| hesitated, maybe one of these Waldorf doll making | | | | washed to a wonderful softness can be dyed and |
| myths is holding you back: | | | | used for doll skin. Worn-out clothing often yields pieces |
| Myth Number 1: The materials are too hard to find. | | | | of fabric in good condition. These can make fabulous |
| This may have been true twenty years ago, before | | | | doll clothes. Yarn unraveled from an old wool sweater |
| the internet became a ubiquitous presence, but it's | | | | makes some of the very best curly doll hair. |
| certainly not true now! | | | | Myth Number 3: Waldorf Dolls are too difficult to make. |
| Waldorf dolls are indeed fussy about what goes into | | | | Utter nonsense! Waldorf-style dolls are among the |
| them. Only all natural materials may be used, like 100% | | | | very easiest of all dolls to make! Their body shapes |
| cotton fabrics and soft sheep's wool stuffing. These | | | | are quite simple, with mitten-shaped hands (no finicky |
| are not commonly available at fabric shops or crafts | | | | little fingers to turn) and minimal articulation of the limbs. |
| outlets, but there are numerous online merchants who | | | | The distinctively-shaped Waldorf head is achieved by |
| have them in many color choices, along with all sorts | | | | tying two strings around a ball of wool. Presto! An |
| of useful tools and notions for the doll maker. In | | | | adorable child's head appears as if by magic. |
| Australia and the U.S. there are domestic sources. | | | | That marvelous wool stuffing will seem worth every |
| Elsewhere, supplies may need to be shipped, but they | | | | penny when you see how smoothly it fills out a shape. |
| are certainly not hard to find. Type "Waldorf doll | | | | No lumpy limbs! Plus, you can pull it all out and re-stuff |
| supplies" into your favorite search engine to get an | | | | with the same wool, and it's good as new. |
| extensive list of vendors. | | | | So what are you waiting for? That special child in your |
| Myth Number 2: The materials are too expensive. | | | | life deserves an extraordinary doll, hand made with |
| I'll admit, there's at least a kernel of truth in this one. | | | | love by you. |
| Compared to polyester fiberfill, carded wool batting | | | | |