Children’s dolls by children

Making dolls with children is one of the most satisfying crafts I know of. The child ends up with a treasured friend to keep forever and the adult rekindles their love of being a child. The soft doll is what my eldest daughter (at age 7) made for her sister’s 3rd birthday. Her name is Bella – (and isn’t she still “Bella” – ten years later?). We didn’t use a pattern, but did use a toddler sock, stuffed it with wool and let her hand sew it. For actual instructions on making dolls I found some links from a few sources. A wonderful book called “Making Dolls” by For Sunnhild Reinckens was my only book on the subject and where the inspiration for Bella came from. Here is another place to find some doll making ideas and patterns. The site also includes some other types of handmade dolls.

Here is a great soft doll you can make with a child called a butterfly doll from Vrie Opvoeding. There are so many ways to take old garments apart and include them into the soft doll making process as well. I can only imagine how many people out there who could supply the wool for the stuffing and hair, from the Whip up community of readers! If you are more of the kits and supply person you can order from Joy’s Waldorf dolls
As well, there are so very many doll makers with online galleries that I had to include the ones I have come across for sheer inspiration.

• Ullabenulla makes simply the most enchanting dolls I have ever seen.
• E.J. Taylor has work that is simply eyepopping!
• Jane Cather appeals to me from her artistic sense.
• Ishida Yuri uses felted wool to create these beautiful finger puppets and dolls.
• Elina Aulikki’s flicker file of Waldorf style dolls.
• Mimi Kirchner makes beautiful art dolls – and has a blog called “doll”

For success, I think keeping it really simple, especially for first time sewers (like my daughter was) and low expectations on the part of the adult makes for the most fun and creative experience. For those wee ones who love to sew already, some of the fancy kits and more elaborate embelishments can be achieved with less stress. Of course, it is always good to listen to the child and let them have their way with their doll – as you can always make one too!