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Waldorf Dolls


Many dolls and toys were made at home during the long winter months with materials that were to hand:- wood, sheep's wool and cloth scraps.  Although some of these have been adapted and mass produced over the years as commercial enterprises, the true type of Waldorf doll is still made at home by hand.

WALDORF  DOLLS

The origins of this type of doll are European, possibly German in 19th and early 20th centuries. Doll maker Kathe Kruse began producing cloth dolls with papier-mâché heads that were covered with stockinette cloth. Although Kathe Kruse dolls are no longer made this way, she is also known for creating what is known as the Waldorf Doll, a simple, soft, huggable hand made doll with a characteristic head shape. 

Consequently, this technique of doll making overlaps with the moulded face doll techniques and doll skinning.

Waldorf dolls have a strong connection with Steiner Education Communities and Schools, based on Rudolf Steiner’s methods.  'Simple toys made from natural material are recognized as being of great importance for the wholesome development of young children'.
The typical Waldorf doll is made from sheep's wool and cotton knit fabric. It has a unique inner head that gives the shape to the face. Wool stuffing is wrapped around and around to form a ball shape. Cotton string is then tied around the head to create a distinctive shape. Then an outer stockinette skin is pulled over the head onto which the eyes and mouth are embroidered or painted.



construction of face

Links: http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/waldorfdolls.htm