The thrifty doll

I belong to a Facebook group of dollmakers whose mission is to show our work in progress on our Waldorf dolls, and to join together from time to time to all make the same doll at once and post our questions, tribulations and progress. In another Waldorf doll group, I read a post from a very enthusiastic single mom in New York, who is keen to start making a Waldorf doll, but hasn't the funds to buy the materials right now. It made me think about my worn out wool hand-knitted socks that I wanted to put into the core of my Waldorf doll heads, just to save money and the environment. 

This month my group has a challenge to make a doll any way we wish, but it must be stuffed with wool. Skin selection optional. The idea came to me to make a doll entirely from thrifted, gifted and recycled materials, which I did. As always, there was a steep learning curve, but I had fun and am happy with the result. In the process of showing my work on the timeline of the group, I learned that another member has a line of Eco dolls made entirely from the same materials, although she uses some polyester in her dolls. Keeps it out of landfills.

The finished doll is much softer than my other dolls, but I think she could make someone happy.

If you want to see more photos of the process and the doll, check out my Facebook page, Arts Of Delight.


The raw materials


The core; wrapped up sock strips


The underpinnings


Shaping the head


Padding out the torso


All sewn together


Getting dressed


Wardrobe complete, ready for a new home


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