Crafting a Beautiful Waldorf Doll Head | Step-by-step Tutorial

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Supplies Needed
3. Making the Wool Ball
4. Preparing the Tubular Bandage
5. Creating the Neck
6. Adding the Eye Line
7. Shaping the Face
8. Positioning the Ears
9. Sewing the Head Fabric
10. Adding the Nose
11. Securing the Neck
12. Covering the Opening
13. Conclusion

Introduction

In today's video, we will be exploring the art of making Waldorf dolls. Specifically, we will focus on creating the head of a Waldorf doll using various supplies and techniques. This tutorial is part of the 15-inch Waldorf doll pattern available in our Etsy shop, which you can find in the description below. So let's dive in and discover how to craft a beautiful Waldorf doll head step by step!

Supplies Needed

Before we begin, let's gather all the necessary supplies to make a Waldorf doll head. Here's what you'll need:

1. Long doll making needle and embroidery needle.
2. Upholstery thread in a flesh tone (we recommend the brand Gutermann).
3. Soluble fabric marker.
4. Crochet hook (size 3.5 mm).
5. Felting needle.
6. Doll skin fabric (we recommend the brand DeWitt and Girl in the shade olive).
7. Wool batting (approximately 300 grams for the whole doll).

Now that we have our supplies ready, let's move on to the next step.

Making the Wool Ball

To create the head of our Waldorf doll, we will start by making a wool ball. Follow these steps:

1. Tear strips of wool batting, approximately the width of your hand.
2. Divide the strip a few times to get a thin strip of wool batting.
3. Tie a few knots at the end of the strip and start rolling it into a ball.
4. Wrap the strip of wool over itself while keeping it pulled taut.
5. Compress the ball in your hand to create a dense and firm shape.
6. Continue wrapping the wool at different angles to form a rounded shape.
7. Add more strips of wool by holding the end in place and wrapping in different directions.
8. Keep wrapping until the ball measures between 12 to 13 inches in circumference.
9. Aim for an oval shape, as this is more natural for a doll head.

The initial stages of creating the ball may be challenging, but it will get easier as the ball grows bigger. Practice and fine-tune your technique as you go along. Once your ball is ready, let's proceed to the next step.

Preparing the Tubular Bandage

Now that we have our wool ball, it's time to prepare the tubular bandage that will form the neck of our doll. Here's what you need to do:

1. Cut a 25 centimeter length of tubular bandage.
2. Thread a sewing needle with flesh tone thread and make a basting stitch around one of the openings.
3. Leave a tail at the beginning of the basting stitch and tie the two ends of the thread together to close the opening.
4. This closed end will serve as the top of the neck.

With the tubular bandage ready, let's move on to the next step.

Creating the Neck

To create a sturdy neck for our doll, follow these steps:

1. Take four strips of batting, each about 30 centimeters long and as wide as your hand.
2. Arrange the strips in a star shape and place the wool ball in the center.
3. Pull the strips of wool up and around the ball, holding them in place.
4. Insert your hand into the tubular bandage and grab the wool-covered ball.
5. Pull the bandage down and grip firmly at the base of the ball.
6. Take a length of upholstery thread and wrap it tightly around the base of the ball about five times.
7. This wrapped thread will form the top of the neck.

Creating a sturdy neck is essential to ensure the head holds up properly. With the neck in place, let's move on to the next step.

Adding the Eye Line

The eye line plays a crucial role in shaping the face of our Waldorf doll. Follow these steps to add the eye line:

1. Cut a long length of upholstery thread and anchor one end to your non-dominant hand.
2. Wind the thread horizontally around the ball just below the center point.
3. Wrap the thread about five to seven times, gradually pulling it tighter with each wrap.
4. As you wrap, the thread will begin to grip itself and hold its tension.
5. Once you've pulled the thread as tight as possible, tie it off with a double knot.

The eye line gives our doll a distinct facial feature. With the eye line in place, let's proceed to the next step.

Shaping the Face

To add volume and shape to the face of our Waldorf doll, follow these steps:

1. Take a bit of wool and roll it into a small oval shape.
2. Choose the front side of the ball and lift the bandage and wool strips to insert the oval-shaped wool just beneath the eye line.
3. Pull all the wool and bandage back down and ensure they are pulled taut over the head, gripping firmly under the chin.
4. Secure the neck by re-wrapping and tying it off.

Shaping the face is crucial to achieving a natural look for our doll. Take your time to adjust and refine the shape as needed. With the face-shaped, let's move on to the next step.

Positioning the Ears

The placement of the ears adds charm and character to our Waldorf doll. Follow these steps to position the ears:

1. Mark the center of the eye line with your dissolvable fabric marker.
2. Make a mark on one side of the eye line where you want one ear to sit.
3. Measure the distance between the center mark and the ear mark and make a corresponding mark on the other side.
4. Ensure the distance from the base of the head to the ear marks is the same.

Properly positioning the ears is essential for the overall appearance of our doll. Once you've marked the ear positions, let's move on to the next step.

Sewing the Head Fabric

To enclose the head of our doll and give it a finished look, follow these steps:

1. Take a long length of upholstery thread and anchor it to the first ear mark, leaving a 20-centimeter tail.
2. Make a few stitches over the ear mark in a cross pattern, ensuring you stitch over the thread used for the eye line tie-off.
3. Insert your long doll making needle into the first ear mark and pull it through to the opposite ear mark.
4. Make a few stitches in a cross pattern, similar to the first ear mark, then pull the thread back through to the first ear mark.
5. Bring the thread under the chin and up to the second ear mark, making a stitch under the chin to anchor it.
6. Stitch behind the second ear mark to secure the thread and bring it up to the top of the head.
7. Anchor the thread at the top of the head with a stitch and repeat the process.
8. Tighten the thread and tie it off using the initial stitch's tail.

Sewing the head fabric ensures that the head is securely attached and provides a seamless finish. With the head fabric sewn, let's move on to the next step.

Adding the Nose

Now it's time to give our Waldorf doll a cute little nose! Follow these steps to add the nose:

1. Use your dissolvable fabric marker to make a one centimeter wide oval shape where you want the nose to be.
2. Position the nose at the bottom of the first third of the head underneath the eye line.
3. Use flesh toned embroidery thread and anchor it with a knot at the center of the nose.
4. Create a satin stitch vertically across the nose, then stitch horizontally over it.
5. Finally, stitch vertically again, ensuring your stitches are close together and the thread doesn't get twisted.

Adding the nose adds a touch of sweetness to our doll's face. With the nose in place, let's proceed to the next step.

Securing the Neck

To ensure a sturdy neck for our doll, follow these steps:

1. Insert the neck into the head fabric that you've sewn together.
2. Gently pull the fabric up over the head, smoothing out any wrinkles or creases.
3. Sew a basting stitch around the opening at the top, pulling it slightly together before tying it off.
4. Secure the neck by tightly wrapping upholstery thread around a couple of times and tying a knot.
5. Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the opening and stitch around the edges to hold it in place.

Securing the neck is essential for durability and stability. With the neck well secured, let's move on to the final step.

Covering the Opening

To add the finishing touch to our doll's head, follow these steps:

1. Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the opening at the top of the head.
2. Stitch around the edges of the circle to hold it in place.
3. Don't worry about hiding the stitches, as they will be covered by the doll's hair.

Covering the opening gives our doll a polished and professional look. Congratulations! You've now completed the process of making a Waldorf doll head.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we learned how to create a Waldorf doll head step by step. From making the wool ball to sewing the head fabric, each step contributes to the final outcome of a beautiful and unique doll. Remember to check our Etsy shop, linked in the description below, for the full pattern and tutorial to create a complete 15-inch Waldorf doll. Thank you for watching and happy doll making!

Highlights

• Learn how to make a Waldorf doll head step by step.
• Gather the necessary supplies, including wool batting and upholstery thread.
• Create a firm and round wool ball for the head of the doll.
• Prepare the tubular bandage for the neck.
• Shape the face by positioning the wool strips and re-wrapping the neck.
• Add an eye line and position the ears for a charming appearance.
• Sew the head fabric to enclose the ball and secure the neck.
• Give the doll a cute nose using embroidery thread.
• Ensure a sturdy neck by securing it with upholstery thread.
• Cover the opening at the top of the head for a professional finish.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to make a Waldorf doll head? A: The time required to make a Waldorf doll head depends on your skill level and familiarity with the process. It can range from a few hours to a couple of days.

Q: Can I customize the doll's features, such as the eye color or hair type? A: Yes, you can customize the doll's features to make it unique. You can use different colored thread for the eyes and choose various materials for the hair.

Q: Where can I find more patterns and tutorials for Waldorf dolls? A: You can find more patterns and tutorials for Waldorf dolls on our Etsy shop. Visit the link in the description for a wide range of options.

Q: Can I make a smaller or larger doll using the same techniques? A: Yes, you can adapt the techniques to make smaller or larger dolls. Adjust the size of the wool ball and other components accordingly.

Q: Are these dolls safe for children to play with? A: Waldorf dolls are generally safe for children to play with, but adult supervision is recommended, especially for younger children. It's important to ensure that the doll is made with safe and non-toxic materials.