Making Baby Dolls Refreshes Your Creative Well

I have now opened the doors of the wool nursery creating a baby doll and I am here going over all the groups of students I’ve ever hosted, reading their encouraging words once the classes ended and the many photos of their finished baby dolls.

Do you want to check out what this class is all about?

Though I usually keep this all to myself, not out of selfishness but because the dolls hardly give me time to sit and let any dry-rot set in, I thought it might be wonderful to share them with you all.

Perhaps you will see yourself in their work, their aspirations or their struggles. If you wish to join me in this adventure the class will be open again in 2027.

When I start the class, I always ask my students to introduce themselves, so everyone is on first-name basis. I also ask them some pertinent questions, not only so I can gauge their crafting history, but so I can better help them throughout the class.

Usually students speak quite a bit about their doll journey and who the doll is for. I always chuckle because most students start with the intention of giving the doll to someone else, and by the time they end up making the doll, almost all of them decide to keep their baby close to their heart.

Some do this because of the amount of work that has gone into the doll, and others because they have fallen in love completely.

Others keep it as a reminder of the skills they have learned and decide to make a “better” one to give to their intended recipient.

A few of them are obsessed with baby dolls, while others don’t even like them to begin with but still they want to learn the intricacies of different doll bodies. In the end, everyone is marvelled at their own progress.

Take the words of Barbara:
“I was born in Cuba, came to USA 15 years ago. Live in Florida. I love love love dolls, all kind of, except the scary ones and of course plastic ones. I took the 2018 class “Making a Fairy” with Fabs a bit ago. Have made 6 total so far and I cannot be more in love with the process of bringing to life out of my hands these wonderful dolls using Fig&Me patterns. My first reaction when Fabs mentioned this class I said “I don’t like baby dolls”, only and because I was just focused in regular dolls. Then decided yes because it’s a way to keep learning from this fabulous teacher. And then I saw Baby Fox and I fell in love with that bundle of cuteness. Can’t wait to meet the rest of the crew partners in the making of Baby Fox.”

Want to make a baby doll?

Get a spot in the Baby Fox Online Class of 2026 here:
Making a Baby with Fig and Me June 15th-28th.

Of course, there is a lot to learn. From sewing curved doll bodies and stuffing them in a way that they will retain mobility while not losing quality (under-stuffed doll bodies, especially with wool, will not fare a long life as the wool compacts a lot during play and with time).

Adding weight, not just to the torso of the doll but also to the head, to mimic the heavy, wobbly head of a little baby who is not in control of all their body yet.

Sculpting using felting needles and baby face proportions, which require a slightly wider nose (we all grow into them eventually) and very round cheeks; making an unusual neck, adding ears and fabric joints, slightly folded hands, etc.

Then comes the eye embroidery and the hair. Giving the baby the traditional Mohair yarn wig which is so emblematic of Waldorf-inspired dolls. All this and more in just one class.

As you can see, some mothers join the nursery with a lot of knowledge in sewing, knitting, crochet, quilting, embroidery, some even use their smocking skills to make their new cloth babies beautiful heirloom clothes!

Others are more on the beginner side, but dressing the baby with knit fabrics is much easier, and there are videos and instructions for that.

Here are the words of Sherri (mom of the baby up there on the bed of leaves):
"I can’t thank you enough, Fabs, for such a well thought-out course, excellent videos, and helpful feedback along the way! It was fun to meet you all and really helpful to see everyone’s photos from each class. I’m looking forward to making more dolls from this course and taking in-person classes someday…”.

Some of my students were stuck in a deep rut, already having made a few dolls but seeking more connection to the doll community, or just plain needed a jolt of inspiration to jump start their making again.

Others were in the very beginning stages, with tantalizing ideas about making dolls, some sewing knowledge but no real direction.

I am very happy they found this class because I was able to help them, guide them, share with them what I know, how much I love making dolls and my respect for the process, and in the end I firmly believe they left with a renewed sense of purpose in their making journey.

I started teaching this class in 2019, and while I try to teach it every year, some years the workload or life events just don’t allow for me to open the doors of the wool nursery.

As you can imagine, many students have now gone through these doors and come out with a baby they adore. The experience of making a doll with a group of fellow travellers, even when it all happens online, is very fun and moving.

You get to see their work in process through class threads, hear their questions and my answers, anticipate forks in the road before you get to them, and move steadily forward, inspired by everybody’s output.

Every year that I teach the class, I learn so much from them too. I add some of their concerns to the following year’s class, update instructions here or there, and continue adding wardrobe items to Baby Fox.

This year my students will have the option of buying 3 extra tutorials at reduced price, to make more clothes for their little baby, should the wish to add to that wardrobe.

The class includes the cross-over top, a diaper and comfy pants. Plus the knitted fox bonnet once they finish their doll.

I have mountains of wonderful photos, both in process and finished, words shared by my students, feedback on the class and so much more to add to this page and the Baby Fox Online Class page.

It will be a work in process during the coming weeks as I get ready to teach this class in June 2026.

If you love baby dolls and want to keep on seeing their emergence from the hands of my students, come back here and you will be rewarded.

Perhaps the page will get too long so maybe I will continue updating with new pages as the years go by 🤓.

Thank you for coming to see and read about Baby Fox’s many cousins and if you are considering joining me in this adventure, you can read more in the page linked at the beginning of this page.