Kinder Dolls: A Waldorf Doll-Making Handbook [Paperback]

Maricristin Sealey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crafts, Festivals & Family Activities | Publication Date: December 15, 2001

This handbook shows the reader how to create handcrafted dolls from natural materials. A range of simple, colourful designs should inspire both beginners and experienced doll makers alike. These dolls are old favourites, originating in Waldorf Steiner kindergartens where parents make dolls together. The reader can start with easy-to-make baby dolls, and then use the general sewing techniques to tackle the limbed dolls and clothes. The book features: ten different designs including soft, baggy, pouch, angel, sack and limbed dolls; colourful and pretty ways of making dolls' hair; 12 basic clothes patterns and ethnic variations; help with tools, techniques and materials; safety guidelines and sewing methods; and recycling tips and where to get materials.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maricristin Sealey draws on a variety of rich traditions for inspiration. She is a professional doll maker and runs doll-making classes. Kinder Dolls is illustrated by her daughter Isabel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hawthorn Press (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190345803X
• ISBN-13: 978-1903458037
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to making dolls, November 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Kinder Dolls: A Waldorf Doll-Making Handbook (Paperback)

Although this book has a Waldorf slant to it, it is really for anyone interested in making soft dolls for children. The dolls are not difficult to make and some can be made within a couple hours. Patterns range from a tiny little 2 inch baby to larger, dressable dolls with all sizes in between. There are patterns for dolls suitable for infants, toddlers, and older children. There is even a pattern for dollhouse dolls! There are no photos, but lots of line drawings and full-sized patterns for both dolls and clothing. In addition, from the basic ideas/patterns given by the author I have been able to develop my own dolls and clothes. Every child I've made a doll for has loved it--and none of those children has ever been in a Waldorf school! The dolls are soft and huggable and adorable. Some of the materials used to make the dolls, such as tubular gauze and wool stuffing are difficult to find but the author includes a list of mailorder/internet sources. In the US, one source of these materials is the Magic Cabin Dolls catalog/internet site.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential Waldorf doll-making book, March 14, 2003

By 

Lightspring (Earth, the Multiverse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kinder Dolls: A Waldorf Doll-Making Handbook (Paperback)

Even after having made Waldorf-inspired dolls from kits, I found that the instructions in _Kinder Dolls_ to be clear and direct and quite useful. The books contains instructions for making every sort of soft Waldorf doll imaginable, from the wee dollhouse dolls to a child's first formless knot doll to a cuddly sack doll to the full sized (16 inches or so tall) "Waldorf doll" that many are familiar with. In addition, patterns are included for many sorts of clothes, with lots of ideas for various ethnic multi-cultural permutations. I found that the instructions were easy to follow and easy to adapt. I highly recommend this book for Waldorf parents or anyone wanting to make a beautiful natural-fiber doll for their child.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of details for new dollmaker, January 11, 2002

By 

Ginger B. Lewis (Lawrenceville, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kinder Dolls: A Waldorf Doll-Making Handbook (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful resource for cloth doll making. As a newbie, I found the book full of complete instructions and options for personalizing. In fact, it was hard to decide where to start!

One thing -- it would be nice if the book used photographs -- I haven't touched a Waldorf doll before and felt like I was working "without a net" sometimes. But, the dolls I've made are beautiful and loved by my children.