Hi everyone, I'm Shari Fuller from Thimbles and Acorns. In this series,
we are going to revisit a topic that I love, upcycling. There is something deeply satisfying and regenerative to me about taking something that is seemingly worthless and turning it into something beautiful.
This time, I am going to combine this topic with something else I love,
doll making!
My Ragamuffin Doll pattern is designed in the classic Waldorf style and since one of the defining features of these dolls is that they are made out of all natural materials, I highly recommend using natural materials for you dolls whenever possible. As an upcycling project, however, it is also okay to use whatever materials you have on hand that work for you - especially if the materials are particularly meaningful. This type of upcycling adds a whole new layer of sentimentality to these dolls that is every bit as important as the benefits of natural materials. Understanding how each material will be used will help you choose upcycled or new materials that will work best for your particular doll.
Follow along in the video and make a Ragamuffin Doll with me!
More about this style of doll: Waldorf dolls aren't a brand, but a type of doll with a rather unique kind of construction. The heads are formed from the inside out, starting with a firmly wound ball of wool that is covered with layers of soft wool stuffing and cotton knit fabrics that are carefully shaped to form a face with
subtle but delightful little features.
As I studied the construction of these dolls, I realized that they would make a terrific upcycling project and thus the Ragamuffin Doll was conceived.
It all started with a pile of wool socks that my son was reluctant to throw away. The soles had so many holes worn in them that they had became unwearable, but the tops were in such good condition it seemed a waste to simply toss them.
It suddenly dawned on me as I was winding a wool ball for a doll head, that I could cut my sons socks into strips and wind them in much the same way as the wool stuffing.
From there, I realized that every part of the doll could be made with second-hand materials that I had readily on hand – a cotton sock that had lost its mate, a flesh colored promotional T-shirt that I had only worn once, a worn out wool sweater, and an old flattened pillow. I just needed a needle and some thread to pull it all together.
This is all in the pattern, but here are the supplies needed to make The Ragamuffin Doll:
Recommended Fabrics:
- Head Core ~ Thick wool or wool blend socks. These can be any color and full of holes. If wool socks are not available, old wool or wool blend sweaters, hats, or scarves will work too.
- Head Core Cover ~ A white or flesh toned cotton stocking. This will be used as the final smoothing layer before applying the skin, so the stocking should have a solid color with an even texture.
- Skin ~ 100% cotton jersey or interlock knit tee shirt in flesh color of choice. Choose a tee shirt that has a sturdy weight to it as it will hold up better to wear and tear. Avoid synthetic blends as they tend to be too thin and are prone to snags and runs and simply don’t look as nice.
- Hair ~ One wool sweater. Wool blends or acrylics can be used, if preferred.
Supplies Needed:
Up-cycled Fabric:
- Head Core ~ 2 - 3 pairs men’s size wool socks
- Head Core Cover ~ One ladies size cotton sock
- Skin ~ One adult size Tee shirt
- Hair ~ One wool sweater
Notions:
- Standard sewing thread, flesh toned
- Craft thread, as close to flesh toned as available
- Embroidery floss for eyes, any eye color you like, but choose a subdued shade that complements the skin
- Embroidery floss for mouth, match the skin or use a lip shade that complements the skin
- Tulle fabric that matches the hair color, two one-yard lengths of 2” wide strips
- One piece of tissue paper
Up-cycled Supplies:
- Polyester fiberfill pillow (wool stuffing is generally preferred for stuffing these dolls, but is harder to source as an up-cycled material). If the stuffing from a used pillow is matted or compressed, pull it apart repeatedly to fluff it back up. If using new stuffing, 8 ounces of polyester fiberfill OR wool stuffing.
Tools:
- Sewing machine
- Ball point sewing machine needles
- Scissors
- Pins
- Hand sewing needle
- 5” doll needle
- Needle felting needles
- Iron and pressing tools
- Blunt needle or point turner
- Stuffing tool such as a hemostat or chopstick
- DVD case
- Tape measure
- Fabric marker
3 Comments
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Carola
November 09, 2023
In the 80’s I made a similar doll using a Japanese technique. I have been wishing that I still had the pattern. This looks like it will work to recreate that doll. Thank you!
I too made bears and noticed the one on the table and wondered about the pattern