How to Sew a Waldorf Doll

Illustration 1

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Step 3

Print, transfer, and cut them out.

Important! The patterns do not include seam allowances!

Arrange four equal-sized strips of batting and place a small ball of yarn in the center, as shown in the photo:

Wrap the ball with the batting, tie it tightly with thread, and trim the excess thread.

Measure the circumference of the ball.

Using the circumference as a guide, cut a rectangular piece of fabric, then sew it into a tube and stitch the side seam. The side will become the lower part of the head, where the doll's facial features will take shape.

Gather the top of the tube with thread, turn the piece right side out, and slip it over the ball.

Illustration 4

Step 5

Wrap the thread twice around the neck and tie it at the front.

Position the ends of the thread along the sides, pull them vertically to shape the head, and tie them at the crown.

Illustration 6

Illustration 7

Step 8

Measure out a long piece of thread, wrap it twice horizontally around the center of the head, and tie a knot near the vertical shaping line.

Join the two wraps of thread together with stitches using a needle and thread.

Insert the needle into the center, leave a few centimeters of thread on the same side, and bring it out on the opposite side.

Illustration 9

Step 10

Make a couple of connecting stitches, leaving a tail.

Bring the threads near the ears down toward the back of the head and tie them at the neck.

Catch the back thread and vertical thread with a needle and pull them together. Repeat on both sides.

Roll a small ball of cotton batting and sew it on—this is the nose.

Sew the fabric head piece along the top and side seams, then turn it right side out.

Place the piece onto the head form and pin away the excess fabric.

Illustration 11

Step 12

Remove the fabric and turn it inside out.

Sew along the pinned lines and trim the excess.

Turn the piece right side out and slip it onto the head form.

Wrap thread twice around the neck, pull it tight, and tie it off.

Illustration 13

Step 14

Gather the lower edges of the fabric with a running stitch.

Mark the hairline using chalk.

Insert the needle along the line, bring it out 1 cm away, and secure it.

Take an outer stitch backward, bring the needle out closer to the crown, and secure it.

Repeat these two steps to produce two strands of hair.

Illustration 15

Step 16

Work this way all around the head.

Make the bangs and trim them. Even out the haircut.

Insert three pins to mark the eyes and mouth.

Illustration 17

Step 18

Next is the torso. Sew the paired pieces together and turn them right side out.

Stuff the arms with filling and pin them to the base of the head.

Check for symmetry by bringing the arms together in front.

Remove the pins and sew the arms in place.

Illustration 19

Step 20

Stitch the seam allowances on the arms using heavy thread.

Turn the torso with the legs right side out and stuff the feet.

Sew the sides of the feet together using blind stitches.

Stuff the legs and work a running stitch along both sides at the top of the legs.

Illustration 21

Step 22

Stuff the body and attach it to the head.

Join the pieces with blind stitches along the shoulders and secure the torso around the neck using the same stitch.

Illustration 23

Step 24

Add more stuffing.

Sew the openings closed with blind stitches.

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Illustration 26

Step 27

The doll is ready!

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Step 29

Below are the clothing patterns for the doll (click to enlarge):

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