Welcome to my dollmaking journal. I write doll stories, share tips on this creative journey and so much more. Hope you enjoy your visit!.
I have written several posts about making dolls, you can find them all here, in the order that I believe would be most helpful to you.
Starting your dollmaking adventure | where I talk about what are waldorf dolls, and my best advice to the very beginner doll maker.
Doll Body Proportions | If you are designing a pattern or want to alter one, it helps to know how big to make the head, or how long to make the limbs.
Wool stuffing, why, how and where to find it | I discuss the wonderful properties of wool, where to buy it, and what tools may become necessary in order to work with it.
How to roll wool to stuff your dolls | a very handy technique that gives you firm and smooth results.
Making doll hair | I talk about all the methods I have used, with links to suppliers and a brief explanation on how to do it.
How to use Suri Alpaca to make doll hair | a small tutorial where I share the process I am currently under taking to create doll hair with this lovely material.
DollyMo Yarns for Doll hair review | the creators of this wonderful line of mohair yarn gave me the opportunity to write my thoughts in regards to their beautiful product. So happy to use DollyMo on my dolls.
Tips on embroidering doll eyes | I share my process, as well as give you a few tips to create embroidered peepers.
Achieving sturdy necks | some advice on how to alter your pattern in order to create a little neck for your doll
How to make a belly on your waldorf doll | I discuss different methods in order to achieve a more protruding belly on your doll.
Don’t forget the shoulders | I share with you my thoughts on why it’s so very important that dolls have shoulders, it will save your sanity when making doll clothes, and steps on how to create them.
Doll Clothing Patterns and Tutorials | A handy list of many makers and designers creating finished clothing and patterns to dress your waldorf or natural fiber art dolls.
How to Sew Doll Underwear | A photo tutorial with the whole thing downloadable as a PDF. Easy peasy.
I have shared over the years a few soulful posts on what it is to create dolls for me:
The 5 Steps I Would Follow If I Was Starting My Doll Making Adventure | A little bit recap of what I did right, what I did wrong and what I would do differently if I was starting out.
Form and Substance in Doll Making | About the thought process of designing my first doll pattern for sale.
The Handmade Doll Business | Where I talk how over time you keep adding things to your pattern, and you delve into other areas of the business, like social media.
Passing Fancy | Discussing how needle-felting my dolls’ faces is a trait that is here to stay.
Self-doubt as a creative | After all these years, I still wonder wether someone will like the doll I am making and I speak about originality and faith in your own process.
On how she found me | Detailing the mental and creative process that went on when I decided to create the Petite Fig pattern, through the hands of Poet, my lovely doll.
Juliane Stritmatter | Notes from Björkåsa
Jenny Marshall | Little Jenny Wren dolls
Daria Gosset | Petit Gosset
Gaby Moench-Ford | Fairywool Dolls
Shannon van Valin Morgan | The Pine Cone Gnome
Agniezska Novak | Lalinda
Winter Held | Winterludes
Barrie Hamby | Meadowfinch
Cynthia Toy | The Fairie's Nest
Young Hash | Scarlet Elfcup
Julie Colby | Inviting Play
Katia Ferris | luckyjuju
Amy Sinibaldi | Nana Company
Mia Shmidt | Manomine
Julie Williams | Little Cotton Rabbits
Marlene | Filomeluna
Jenni Harley | Cloth and Thread
Amber Vroom | The Sculpted Sock
Bear Dance Crafts | Natalie Weeks
The Olive Sparrow | Monika Aebischer
Little Oke Dolls | Debbie Poole
Kamrin’s Poppenatelier | Kamrin teKronnie
Mohair wig | Sue Doyon
While She Naps | Abby Glassenberg
West Earl Woollen Mills (USA)
Custom Woollen Mills (Canada)
Please see post on wool stuffing for additional International resources.
Sonsu | beautiful floral linens and craft tape
Fat Quarter Shop | Small amounts of fabric in a great selection
fabric.com | I like to buy linen and cotton pointelle here
Hawthorne Threads | great selection of quilting weight fabrics
Lilymeru | great selection of Liberty prints
Purl Soho | Unique selection of upscale crafting materials
Land of Oh | Love their knit fabrics
Fabricworm | I buy japanese prints and Birch Organics through them
Tilda Outlet | For small bits of the wonders of Panduro
Miss Matatabi | they carry my favourite: Nani Iro by Naomi Ito
If you would like to create your own wefts to use for doll hair, I recommend the following suppliers:
If there are other resources you wish me to share with you, just drop me a line to let me know. Hope you find all this helpful.