Birthday Sewing -a Waldorf inspired doll

 Clara's been asking to go to Build a Bear for her birthday but I somehow convinced her we'd "build a doll" instead.   

I've been eyeing the bamboletta dolls for over a year and have yet to be quick enough to add one to my cart, it seems they sell out in less than 10 seconds.  Over that time the demand has pushed the price high enough that I decided we'd try to make one ourselves.  But even making it ourselves was not inexpensive, I think I spent over $50 on supplies and I'm sure later down the page I may mention the hours of concentration involved.  All that said this was a worthwhile project and Maryanna almost has me convinced to make her one as well.  

This was not mindless sewing. One day in the middle of it I had to put two Netflix on in a row for the younger kids to allow me the concentration I needed for sculpting the wool stuffing and hand sewing.  And then the hair kept me up till 12 am until I got it the way I liked it.

I did use a pattern and that helped, but I didn't like the body proportions so I ended up taking the doll apart and remaking it.  I used Joy's 16"Honey doll pattern and though I made adjustments to the actual pattern I found the booklet of instructions invaluable.

All of the supplies were ordered from Weir Crafts, as of now they are only selling online but since they are located right below my midwife's office I was able to hand pick up the supplies and get a peak at all the great products they offer.  The fabric is a cotton knit and the hair is a combination of mohair and worsted wool.  The body is stuffed with wool batting, the shoes are felt and the outfit was put together from my scrap pile.  

She even has a set of underwear which were also made from my scrap pile (that's what I love about doll clothes)!

Clara has named her Rosie and has already requested a ballet outfit, night gown and a few more pairs of underwear for her.  

She has already been played with, danced with, hugged, in the swing, to the chickens, to the fire pit, dressed and undressed, slept with and gotten dirty and wiped clean.  Which makes me think it was worth the effort in making it.