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J.Anne
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| Posted: April 19 2007 at 5:19pm | IP Logged
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Hi everyone! I am hoping to make some dolls for my daughter's birthday. I am hoping they will turn out looking something like Laura, Mary, and Martha from the Little House books. I like the size and shape of the waldorf dolls I've seen, but that's not exactly what I am going for. I would like it to be mostly cloth. Any tips, books, or patterns? I haven't seen a lot that I like on the web.
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Jennifer
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asplendidtime
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| Posted: April 19 2007 at 5:48pm | IP Logged
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What were you thinking of Jennifer? I have made Raggedy Ann-type dolls, they were a lot of fun, and then I have made angels starting with a similar form.
One tip: if you are doing hair with yarn, a needle I think called a sail needle, it looks like a darning needle in the shape of a big curve, and a flat part near the tip. It is a wonderfully inexpensive little tool! You can buy them at Walmart or any sewing notions store.
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mavmama
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| Posted: April 19 2007 at 9:42pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
I have only made the Waldorf dolls from Magic Cabin. My girls were never doll lovers, but my little guy loves his "Baby and Nini!" The kits are very well made with great directions; just take it a step at a time if you use them.
Whatever pattern you use, I say go for natural fibers and wool stuffing. When natural fibers are used, the doll warms to the touch--very pleasing to a child. Just my 2 cents... 
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Liz
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teachingmom
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| Posted: April 20 2007 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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Two Christmases ago, I was about to order the Magic Cabin doll kit to make one for my almost 3yo when Mary Chris mentioned that she had lots of leftover doll making things that I could use. They were the same as I would have gotten from Magic Cabin, she had just bought the skin fabric, filler, hair yarn, etc. in bulk.
I hadn't sewn much in recent years and had no idea how well it would turn out. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't very difficult and the doll looks just like the ones in the catalogs! Dd really likes her.
Also, back when I was in high school, I sewed a lot. At one point, I made a set of fabric and yarn Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that my mom still has for the grandkids to play with. They were pretty easy too.
So I have no particular tips, except to say that fabric doll making is not difficult and to encourage you to give it a try when you find a pattern you like.
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TracyFD
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Can someone with very limited sewing skills make the Magic Cabin kit doll? I have no sewing machine and can only sew buttons, crooked seams by hand, and have done some embroidery and cross-stitch. I would love to pay the price of the kit rather than $100+ for a ready made doll!
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Tracy
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Matilda
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I made one years ago and I know I used my machine because I don't hand sew much. But I remember thinking that it was fairly easy- except for the hair. I never figured out how to do the hair, so I used yarn instead.
I just ordered another one for my daughter's birthday at the end of the month so I can give you more specifics when it arrives.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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teachingmom
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 11:11pm | IP Logged
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TracyFD wrote:
| Can someone with very limited sewing skills make the Magic Cabin kit doll? I have no sewing machine and can only sew buttons, crooked seams by hand, and have done some embroidery and cross-stitch. I would love to pay the price of the kit rather than $100+ for a ready made doll! |
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I think you could do it without a lot of sewing experience. But I'd borrow a sewing machine if I were you. I know that my hand sewing wouldn't be tight enough for something that would be stuffed, thus putting strain on the seams. You could do it by hand, I'm sure (Caroline Ingalls did it after all  ) but I wouldn't recommend it.
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Matilda
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 9:55am | IP Logged
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I just finished making one of the Magic Cabin Dolls for my daughter's birthday. Like I mentioned before, it was only the second one I have ever made, the first being about 5 years ago.
It took me about 4 hours from start to finish for just the doll (I also made some clothes) and I was using a sewing machine. Plus, I used yarn instead of the hair that came in the kit. It was a little tricky on the machine since the material is very stretchy.
As Irene said, I don't know how hand stitching would hold up to the stuffing, but I don't do much hand sewing.
Hope this helps.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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mavmama
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 4:42pm | IP Logged
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Just saw this post again.
Matilda--great job! Your dolls are wonderful (and I personally like the purple hair!)
I think if you were to use a small backstitch by hand the doll would hold up. It would take a while to sew, but I really think it would work.
Maybe I can find a picture of the two I have made. They are known around here as "Baby" and "Neenie" by ds #2. My girls never played with dolls
I have a kit waiting in my sewing room for the button jointed doll-can't think of the name right now...
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Liz
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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Go check out Matilda's Waldorf cuties post about her latest creations .... ya gotta love the Little House theme too!
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MaryG
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Making Dolls
