Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I clean my child's Waldorf-inspired doll?
Cloth dolls will eventually show evidence of a child's love! If there are particular areas that have grown dirty, you can use a soft cloth and some mild soap and gently dab at the spot, but try to avoid rubbing too vigorously. Rinse by blotting with a clean cloth and water. If the entire doll could use a bath, it can be submerged in some warm soapy water, but it's best to keep the hair dry with a plastic bag, since that may felt together, depending on what kind of hair the doll has. Air-dry your doll, taking care that the skin is back in its original position, especially the face. This may take several days.
2. Do you take custom orders for your dolls?
Yes, absolutely! I have made both my larger dolls and my dollhouse dolls according to your imagination and/or specifications. It's a fun challenge for me even though it takes a bit of extra time to communicate with you about your dream doll! I do need some extra time to complete these requests (especially around Christmas!), so the earlier you can contact me the better!
3. Can you make extra clothing for the dolls?
At the moment, that is not something I regularly do although I have been known to break my own rules and add an apron or shawl. But generally the clothes that are pictured are the ones that travel with your doll. This may be an opportunity, however! I know of many sewists who started sewing because they wanted to make an outfit for a doll.
4. Are plant-based dyes color-fast?
Yes, absolutely! The dyestuffs that I have selected are all rated as excellent dyes for color- and light-fastness. It's true that not all plant-based dyes are completely colorfast, but I take great care to use only the very best. You want your doll clothes to look the same years into the future! Having said that, all fabrics, no matter how they were dyed, are prone to fading if placed in the sun or washed repeatedly with harsh detergents. Be mindful of this as you care for your doll's clothes. I recommend a gentle soap, cool water and washing by hand, if possible.
5. How is it possible that your dollhouse dolls are posable?
My dollhouse dolls are based on a wire frame which is made by wrapping a single piece of wire around itself. The ends are then tucked securely into the torso and covered with plentiful wool and then fabric. This way of making a wire frame is much stronger than a standard "pipe-cleaner" frame and can be posed many, many times without breakage. I have a test piece which I bend back and forth from time to time, and so far I have not been able to break it!
6. How do you make the hair?
Most of my dolls have hair made from special dollhair yarn. I crochet a cap using this, sew it on the head and then brush out the fibers. These wigs are quite sturdy and can be combed, brushed and styled in different ways, especially if I have also added long strands of yarn to make long hair. A wide-toothed comb or pick works great! The wig may shed a bit to begin with, but there will be lots of hair left, trust me! Occasionally I use mohair locks or alpaca weft. While these resemble human hair even more, they are slightly more delicate and need to be treated more gently.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!