"Rugged" is probably not the first word you'd use to describe a Waldorf doll. Those adorable chubby-cheeked faces look innocent, angelic even... certainly not tough.
Think again.
Waldorf dolls are meant to be play dolls. Children love their dolls enthusiastically, but not necessarily gently. They embrace them as best friends, and drag them around everywhere as constant companions. If you give a child a Waldorf doll, expect it to be in the thick of the action, not sitting on a shelf. These dolls might look sweet and innocent, but they need to be sturdy, durable, and yes, even rugged.
In my years of doll making, I've discovered that there are certain techniques that produce more durable dolls, while actually making the construction process easier! For example, one of my favorite doll making mantras is, "Double up."
The first place where I like to "double up" is in making the head. For all but the quite small, unsculpted heads, I cut double the length of tubular gauze for the initial head shaping. (If you've never made a Waldorf doll, this might not make a lot of sense to you. You can find a photo tutorial on my website that will make it all crystal clear.) Then, instead of sewing across the end of the gauze to close it off, I sew across the middle. Turn one half inside-out over the other and, presto! Instant double-layer gauze sock.
If you've ever had your gauze tube pop open as you stuff it with wool, you'll appreciate what a time saver the double-gauze technique can be. The double layer also helps control any tendency for bulges to occur, making a more smoothly rounded head shape.
Continuing with shaping the head, I use the "double up" principle for tying the eye and chin lines. I fold a length of strong craft thread to double it, and knot the ends together. This gives me a loop at each end for a much more secure grip when pulling the threads tight. A double ply of craft thread is stronger than many thicker strings you could use, but much less bulky.
For nearly all hand-sewing steps, I also double my thread and knot the ends together. This serves two purposes: not only does it enhance the strength of my stitches, but the loop at the end allows me to anchor the thread to itself. It's a quick solution to that annoying tendency of a single-thread knot to pull through the weave of the gauze or the doll skin knit.
"Doubling up" is valuable for machine-sewing tasks, too. Inside curves need to be clipped very close to the stitching in order to turn without puckering. A double row of stitches allows the seam to turn smoothly without risk of bursting.
Finally, my favorite way to "double up" is to sew with a friend. It's a great way to share tool, supplies, inspiration, and friendship. If your sewing buddy is a child, making Waldorf dolls is a great, fun way to pass handwork traditions on to another generation.
Margaret Lunn is an award-winning quilter, doll artist, and puppeteer. Her Waldorf doll patterns make beautiful dolls easy for even novice dollmakers. For more detailed instructions and shortcut tips for making Waldorf dolls, be sure to visit http://www.WaldorfDollMaking.com.
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