NetchieDolls

Hi! Welcome to my workshop! My name is Misty, I'm from the United States and have been living in Wisconsin for over 10 years.

My passion is working with fabric and my favorite item to make with fabric is dolls!
Netchie Dolls are Waldorf-inspired cloth dolls designed to be durable and well-loved. They are handmade with love, one at a time, by me, with high quality materials. The art of creating these dolls by hand makes every doll unique.

A Waldorf doll is a form of doll compatible with Waldorf (or Steiner) education philosophies. Made of natural materials, such as fine woolen or cotton skin toned fabric, generally filled with pure wool stuffing, hair and clothing materials are also made from natural fibers. The doll makers use techniques drawing on traditional European doll-making.

The dolls appearance is intentionally simple in order to allow the child playing with it to develop the imagination and creative play. For instance, it has either no features, or a simple neutral expression. They are ideally entirely natural. Dolls vary in the form best suited to the stage of development of the child; from a simple sack or pillow doll for a baby, a knotted or handkerchief style for a teething child, a simple doll with bulky limbs and either short hair or a hat for a toddler. For an older more independent child who can change clothing and dress hair, 'formed' limbed dolls with the ability to sit are introduced with changeable clothing and often longer hair. Typically hair on a Waldorf doll is made of pure wool such as mohair or boucle, ply wool or cotton. Features are always a simple suggestion and ideally neutral, so the child can imagine the personality and mood of the doll and if the doll is awake or asleep. Some Waldorf dolls have small suggestions of noses. Skin, eye and mouth colors vary with each doll, ideally to reflect the coloring of the child for a first doll.

Dolls usually become the first props in a child’s pretend play. Doll play helps to develop language and social skills, making children more creative and less aggressive. By dressing and feeding dolls, children also develop motor skills and coordination. Doll playing allows children to practice their future roles as adults, helping them develop love and care for other people. A Waldorf doll becomes a friend. A true companion with whom a child shares his or her hopes, dreams, and adventures.

Also, human beings are the only species that are known to make an image of themselves. Dolls of many forms and materials have been around as long as humans have been! Many are hundreds of years old and still well-preserved. Dolls actually increase in value with time and are one of the few things that will not be replaced by technology.

All these are reasons that make being a doll artist so special.

You can also follow Netchie Dolls on Instagram: instagram.com/netchiedolls and YouTube! Please visit my Facebook page: facebook.com/netchiedolls to see more examples of my work and come behind the scenes in the world of doll making.

Enjoy browsing and please feel free to send me a message. Questions and feedback are always appreciated!