This is the Ringalina Doll. Unlike her ancestor “the traditional Waldorf doll” her arms and legs are attached and not cut from a continued piece of fabric. I have been using this pattern for the past 30 years to create doll. I first to learn the art of doll making from my sister in Germany. This type of doll is wonderful for the child older than five, but I have seen many parents wanting them for younger children as well. The dolls allow dressing and undressing and styling the hair, all things the older child loves to do.

When the dolls hair, eyes, and mouth are embroidered, there is no risk to the child of swallowing small pieces. For the older, more responsible childe, other hair options are available. The facial expression of a Waldorf doll is usually very simple, but extra steps can be taken to make it more detailed. You have the option to needle felt the face, nose and even the lips. When skin fabric is added to the face the lips can be colored gently using a red crayon.

I introduce the embroidered hair, the crochet hair wig, the Tibetan lambskin wig and the Teeswater locks wig in this course and you have the option to choose. For crochet and knit wig making the basic knowledge of crocheting and/or knitting is necessary and not taught in this course.

Children love to imitate the people around them, which help them to develop their language and social skills. The older child often likes dolls with more of an expressional face, which led me to include a tutorial to needle felt/sculpt a more defined face. This part is optional, and I will point this out within the class. You can create your Doll with little, or more of a facial expression, it is up to you. I will give the how-to.

A sewing machine is optional! I like to sew my dolls by hand, but also use the sewing machine. I focus on teaching you all hand sewing stitches so you do not need a sewing machine. It may sound strange to you, but I find it very relaxing to sit in my comfy chair working on a doll, thinking of the child that is to receive it. That is the reason I have not ever worked in an assembly line doll making set up. I create one doll at a time unless they are supposed to be twins.

My customers often send me pictures or tell me stories of the child that I am to make the doll for, so it is easy for me to picture them as I am sewing along. No sewing machine noise in the background and no frustration when the sewing machine grows a mind of its own. Some areas have to be sewn by hand; they cannot be reached with a machine. On larger pieces, a sewing machine can be of great use. So please don’t fear that you have to sew everything by hand. It’s all about your preferences!

I have made tutorials of every hand sewing stitch you will have to know to complete this doll. There are short videos to watch and learn them.