"Waldorf" refers to a style of handmade cloth dolls that originated in Germany and have become popular here in the U.S. because of their classic, child-friendly design. There are Waldorf dolls for all ages, from infants to grown-ups. What makes them similar is how they are made. Each Waldorf doll is handmade, so each one is unique. They are designed to encourage children's creativity: their faces are hand-embroidered and simple to allow children's imagination to give the doll whatever facial expression their play calls for. Generally, all of the materials Waldorf dollmakers use are organic. Each doll is stuffed with high-quality wool that holds the body heat of anyone who hugs it. Sometimes, a little packet of herbs (lavender, etc.) is put inside with the wool to give the doll a soft, comforting smell. The doll's "skin" is made of a special type of cotton that is incredibly soft and comes in a range of tones, from very fair to dark brown. Perhaps the most unique part of Waldorf dolls is their hair: dolls for babies often have the hair embroidered onto their head, while dolls for toddlers and older children have hair made of mohair wool. Mohair is thick yet soft, and very durable, allowing it to last for years without damage. Because it is too unruly to be brushed, some dollmakers style their dolls' hair permanently in braids, ponytails, or other styles that will prevent tangles. Waldorf dolls' hair can be curly or straight, short or long. Since the Waldorf philosophy promotes racial awareness and empathy, Waldorf dolls can be made to resemble any ethnicity--one of the latest hair styles available are dreadlocks. Waldorf dolls come in a wide range of prices, depending on what type of doll you buy. The classic Waldorf doll is designed for ages 4 and is 16" tall. It generally runs anywhere from $50-$80, both on and off ebay. To make sure you are buying a high-quality Waldorf doll, here are some details to look for and questions to ask: Does the dollmaker have experience? Check the seller's feedback to make sure other buyers have been happy with their dolls. Ask for photos of the seller's other dolls: a more skilled dollmaker will have consistently cute, well-designed dolls. Just because a seller hasn't sold a Waldorf doll before (and so doesn't have feedback) doesn't mean the doll won't be well-made, though, so look for these clues: Has the dollmaker used high-quality materials (wool rather than polyester stuffing, mohair yarn rather than polyester/cotton yarn)? The most difficult part of making a Waldorf doll is the hair, so check that as a quick clue to whether you're dealing with a novice: make sure it's not too thin, or lop-sided. A doll from a more skilled dollmaker will generally last longer than a beginner's doll because someone with experience with Waldorf dolls will know the tricks to make the doll more durable. Dolls that are made to last are often "double-stitched," so check for that in the description or ask the seller. If you're buying a doll for an infant, make sure that the doll does not have mohair yarn for its hair, as that can "shed" fuzzies in your baby's mouth if s/he chews on it; look for embroidered hair instead. Most importantly, though, just make sure the doll's cute! If you want a hair or skin color that you can't find among what's being sold, ask a seller if s/he will make a doll especially for you. The seller can post a "buy it now" so that you can pay in advance, allowing the dollmaker to buy the materials needed. Since some types of hair are more expensive than others, you might pay a bit more, but it will be worth it. If you want to commission a doll for a child's birthday or Christmas, be sure to begin contacting sellers well in advance to allow enough time for them to get the materials (which often must be ordered online) and sew the doll and its clothes. I recommend allowing at least a month, just to be safe. Some sellers may not do customized dolls on a regular basis but will sew one for you if you give them enough notice so that they can clear their schedule. That is my own policy, since I usually concentrate on one doll at a time and want to ensure adequate time to concentrate on the doll you request; dolls made in a hurry are never as well-sewn! Some parents like to ask for dolls that match their child's eye, hair, and skin color; those dolls can be very special for a child. Having a beautiful doll that looks like a child can help him or her feel beautiful in return; and having a doll made "just for me" can make a child feel special and important. That's one of the reasons I love making dolls. If you would like me to make a doll especially for your child, please e-mail me. Knowing I am making a doll for a certain child isextra-special for me! I also would like to make a variety of dolls (different ethnicities,hair styles, etc.) but I can't know what people want unless they tell me, so please do, even if it's just a general heads-up e-mail to let me know what types of dolls you and your friends would like to see being sold. My personal dollmaking experience: I began sewing when I was ten, both by hand and on the machine. My mother and her mother are both skilled seamstresses (my grandmother sews clothes, and my mother quilts), so I've had good teachers. I made little sock dolls when I was younger, then spent years hand-quilting. I began making Waldorf dolls six months ago and fell in love with the process. I love kids and sewing, and dollmaking combines those two things perfectly! I use an old Singer machine (the old ones are the best!) to sew the parts of the doll that require the strongest stitches, since a machine can produce smaller, tighter stitches than even very experienced seamstresses's hands can. All of the embroidery I do by hand, however, as well as stuffing the doll, most of the wig-making, and sculpting the doll's head. I double-stitch wherever possible (double-stitching involves sewing something together twice, so that if one thread breaks, another is there to hold the clothtogether). And, of course, I use the Waldorf materials I described above (sheep's wool, mohair yarn, etc.). Below are two photos of dolls I have sold: the first is the classic 16" doll, and the second is a doll designed for young infants. You can see the difference in hair types(one is curly mohair, the second is embroidered).
Orignal From: Buying Waldorf dolls: a beginner's guide by a dollmaker
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment