Special Note: Summertime is perfect for starting your doll making projects for Christmas giving! You'll find free patterns for many of your favorite dolls on these pages. And, if you need help learning to handsew dolls and doll clothing order my How to Sew Cloth Dolls and Costumes Book - either in paperback or download.
susan@susankramer.com
Dolls sitemap with many patterns
Contents
Doll Reviews
Teddies & Friends
Dear Readers,
to comply with the FTC ruling that went into effect December 1, 2009
I must tell you that I am an affiliate of Amazon.com.
| Thank you note I received today 11/24/09 which touched me, so I decided to share with you: "Dear Susan, I just came across your website this morning & I want to thank you for sharing your patterns for doll blankets and clothing on-line. I have a few little girls whom I need to give Christmas presents too, and as with many people these days, money is tight. Thanks to your directions I'll be able to use some of my fabric remnants to make cute doll accessories for them. It's a big relief to know that I can give them something nice without causing more budget strain. Thanks again for sharing & happy crafting! Sincerely," |
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photos just below - Susan helping kids with their dolls and some of her dolls
Doll Reviews
| 1. Corolle 14 Inch Vanilla Blonde Toddler Doll |
I recommend the Corolle dolls, in general
because I enjoy them myself. I have the 17 inch sister, Helen of the
14 inch Corolle Vanilla Blonde doll.Corolle Vanilla Blonde has rooted hair which is essential if you like to get her hair wet for gentle washing or styling. She has a softly stuffed body with vinyl limbs and she and her clothes are machine washable. She has blue eyes that open and close.
I should note that she and all Corolle dolls have a slight vanilla scent imbedded in the vinyl to mask the vinyl smell. Be sure the person this doll is intended for likes the smell of vanilla.
The photo shows the outfit she comes with - pink and white flowered dress, white sweater and white mary jane shoes.
I highly recommend her for kids and moms and grandmoms, too. In my opinion the family of Corolle dolls are collectibles.
Details - Corrolle Doll Maker, Product ASIN: B000OKRITC
Click here to buy the 14 Inch Corolle Vanilla Blonde doll from Amazon.com
| 2. Corolle 14 Inch Vanilla Redhead Doll with Auburn Hair |
Corolle 14 inch Vanilla Redhead doll with auburn hair comes as in the photo with a white dress with pink ribbon trim, denim jacket, white tennis shoes and pigtail holders.
She has a soft vinyl body and rooted hair that can be washed and styled. She can be put in the washing machine. Her 14 inch sister Corolle Vanilla Blonde listed just above on this page. She has brown sleeping eyes - they shut when she's laid back.
I consider the Corolle dolls collectibles and as such are more suitable for display by the older child and by moms and grandmoms, though she can be a nice playdoll because her vinyl body is soft.
She has a soft smell of vanilla imbedded in her vinyl as all Corolle dolls have, so be sure the person she is intended for likes the smell of vanilla. It does mask the usual vinyl smell.
The photo at right is my Helen with Floppy, our cyberhouse mascot, always begging for attention.
I highly recommend Corolle 14 inch Vanilla Redhead doll.
Details - Corrolle Doll Maker, Product ASIN: B000MVD2XY
Click here to buy the Corolle 14 Inch Vanilla Redhead doll from Amazon.com
| 3. Gotz 8 Inch Bald Mini Muffin Baby Doll |
Bald Mini Muffin baby doll comes with a cap and dressed in pink, but dressed differently it can be a boy or girl doll, suitable for any young child.
This very small 8 inch Mini Muffin bald baby doll by Gotz is so dear to my heart. It is the perfect size for your son or daughter as a first doll, or as a new addition to a family of dolls for an older child. And, being a Gotz doll it would fit into a collectible category for moms or grandmoms.
I think one of the best features is that it is machine washable. With young kids this is so important that toys can be washed squeaky clean.
When my grown daughter was young she had a similar size doll and spent endless hours holding it by the arm or leg which developed her grip. An unseen advantage.
The doll face is painted on in great detail and I think this is a quality that would keep the attention of any child. I like looking at mini muffin, too.
Some of the finer features on the vinyl parts are added dimples behind the toes and knuckles on the hands, and the natural bend lines at the ankles, above and below the knees, wrists, elbows and several on the bald head.
The head has been very faintly painted a light brown to represent hair. The cheeks have just a touch of rosy blush, like a real baby. The fingers are individualized with indented fingernails on the hands and toes, and creases on the palms of the hands.
In the photo below I have dressed my Bald Gotz Mini Muffin like a boy so you can see what is possible.
I also enjoy posing mini muffin which is very easy to do as it sits up easily with the bean bag body. The doll arms are vinyl from mid upper arm down and mid thigh down.
The neck and head in one piece are vinyl, too. The beanbag body is a tightly woven cotton - no worries about it pulling a part in any way.
Besides, I have found the Gotz dolls in all sizes are among the best constructed baby dolls, and I've looked at many. The price of this doll is very small and an easy way to get a great quality doll that will endure childhood.
I think you'll enjoy the 8 inch Mini Muffin bald baby doll. It has my highest recommendation!
Details - by International Playthings; ASIN: B0018ODWDY
Click here to buy the Bald Gotz 8 Inch Mini Muffin Baby Doll from Amazon.com
| 4. Gotz 13 Inch Muffin Baby Doll |
Muffin has realistic features, which you can see by looking at her wrists, fingers, ankles and toes. Her torso is cotton and the lower parted is weighted like a bean bag, to help her sit. She has rooted hair that can be combed and styled. She's the middle sister in the Gotz Muffin Doll series, and isn't she adorable! Muffin comes in a precious blouse, pants, and white bows in her rooted hair.
Like her larger sister, she can sit up and lie down, which I definitely feel is an advantage with baby dolls.
Children can have fun spending hours dressing her up and playing with her. A doll like this is lightweight for younger children to carry around and is made to sturdy standards.
I like posing her amongst my other 'older' dolls in the Cyber Doll House. And Floppy stands guard of the smaller dolls, especially.
She has sleep eyes - they close when she lies down, making them even more realistic.
What little child wouldn't love to put Muffin to bed alongside herself for naps or nightie-night? I know when I was a youngster I sure enjoyed my doll this size and spent lots of time in creative play.
In fact, during my naptime as a little girl I used to sit on my bed and spend that quiet time dressing and undressing my dolls and pretending they were in little plays.
Dolls are such basic toys that children play with over the long haul without tiring. I think a doll like Muffin is a good basic doll and certainly worth the price as she continues to hold up, looking good for a long period of time.
My Muffin is pictured in the photo at right.
Highest recommendation!
Details - by International Playthings; ASIN: B001S7VGGQ
Click here to buy Gotz 13 Brunette Muffin Baby Doll at Amazon.com
Boy baby doll - 12 inch Corolle Calin, washable. I recommend.
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or choose the Black African American Muffin doll -
Details - ASIN: B0014IMI0W
Click here to buy Gotz 13 Black African American Muffin Baby Doll from Amazon.com
| 5. Gotz 16.5 Inch Maxi Muffin Baby Doll |
The photo shows how Maxi Muffin comes when you buy her, with blonde rooted hair, white and polka-dot dress, and white shoes.
Maxi Muffin is a great doll to play with and keep fresh and clean. She can be washed in the washing machine. And being washable she can be a bath-time companion, too. I love to dress and arrange my 16.5 inch Maxi Muffin doll with her friends in the Cyber Doll House!
I really like that I can pose her sitting and not just lying down as with some baby dolls. Her soft stuffed body allows this flexibility.
Did you notice how detailed her body is with natural looking toes and fingers and even realistic sculpting at her wrists and ankles, with creases in just the right places.
The photo at right is my Blonde Maxi Muffin with Floppy.
I think you can tell from my glowing praise this is a doll that is worth the money in creative play your kids can have with Maxi Muffin - making her a real part of your doll family.
Highest recommendation!
Details - by International Playthings; ASIN: B001S80ZLM
Click here to buy the 16.5 Inch Maxi Muffin Baby Doll from Amazon.com
| 6. 18 Inch Gotz Elisabeth Precious Days Doll |
This Gotz 18 inch Precious Days play doll is named Elisabeth and is full-bodied like the American Girl Dolls - though she does have full length vinyl arms and legs.
Elisabeth has a cloth body that is packed very well to keep her shape and she can stand independently. She has sleep eyes and long rooted brown hair.
In case you didn't know, sleep eyes close when you recline your doll back and open wide when she is upright.
She comes as dressed in the photo at left with denim skirt and mary jane shoes.
I have another of her 18 inch sisters - Emily - shown in the photo at right that I enjoy dressing up. And, of course our mascot Floppy is always near her side.
The line of Gotz dolls are made for a lifetime of playing and I believe they are fine collectible dolls. Moms and grandmoms might enjoy adding Elisabeth to their collection, also.
Highest recommendation!
Details - by International Playthings; ASIN: B00141PTJE
Click here to buy the 18 inch Gotz Elisabeth Doll from Amazon.com
| 7. 15 Inch Kathe Kruse Toni Doll |
The 15 inch Kathe Kruse Toni Aimee comes dressed in a pleated skirt, shirt vest, long scarf, mary janes and socks. I love posing her. She is made of hard vinyl and stands on her own. She has a kanekalon wig which can be brushed and styled, and her face is hand painted.
My recommendation is that she be played with by at least a 6 year old child, as she is more for show and display, rather than for the rough and tumble of a baby doll. She can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth.
I thought it might be helpful to give you her measurements as she is a slim specialty doll and her clothes are interchangeable with Magic Attic and Sasha Dolls:
Chest - 8.5 inches (21.25cm)
Waist - 7.75 inches (19.5cm)
Hips - 8.5 inches (21.25cm)
Shoulder to waist - 3.25 inches (8cm)
Waist to below knee - 5.0 inches (12.5cm)
I like having a variety of dolls and this is one for all the moms and grandmoms to enjoy, especially. Besides being a specialty doll she is a collectible in my opinion.
But, why keep her hidden away when the real enjoyment can be had right now be keeping her out on display with your other dolls.
The photo at right is my 15 inch Kathe Kruse Toni doll with Floppy. I designed and hand-sewed her dress.
I sure enjoy designing clothes for, and dressing my fancy dolls, and this one is my most collectible, so far, in my opinion.
Highest recommendation!
Details - Sold by Moolka; ASIN: B0013N2URE; Item model number: 37805
Click here to buy the 15 Inch Kathe Kruse Toni doll from Amazon.com
| 8. Zapf 17 Inch Baby Born Doll |
I loved playing
with my baby dolls as a little girl. I probably got a new one as a present every
year. Baby Born doll by Zapf Creations is a 17 inch medium size baby doll. This was so much fun for me as I was the oldest of 3 kids and when my sister arrived when I was 4 years old I remember playing with my baby doll while mom played with her new baby!
The photo at right is my Baby Born Doll with Floppy, of course.
I think you or a little friend will enjoy taking care of her doll from the wardrobe you can make for it practically for free from you leftover material from you own dress projects. Maybe you can even make the doll and a little child matching outfits!
It is a lot of fun dressing and undressing and feeding and cuddling this doll as she has soft vinyl skin, and movable shoulder and hip sockets. Ordered from Amazon.com she comes with the items in the photo.
Recommended for girls 3 to 10!
Details - 17 inch Baby Born doll; Zapf Creation; ASIN: B0013HA3NS
Click here to buy Zapf 17 Inch Baby Born Doll from Amazon.com
| Teddies and Friends |
The stuffed animals at right live in harmony with their doll friends in the cyber doll house and at my house. In this photo some of them are sitting with my 24 inch Raggedy Andy doll.
Also in the photo is our long-time hound, Floppy who appears in virtually all doll photos for 2 reasons - to keep the dolls company and to show a comparison of the doll sizes overall.
Floppy is more than a stuffed dog - he is "real" because when a neighbor's dog came to visit and bounded into the living room and saw Floppy on the shelf he started to bark at him - it was really funny, but it did seem to confirm that Floppy is indeed alive to many of us!
The stuffed teddies and animals below are those I recommend because they are precious to look at, and very soft with a luxurious feel. These stuffed animals are by GUND which has been in business more than 100 years - definitely quality animals for a life time of cuddling. Also, GUND has devised a technique so kids can't pull out the button eyes on the stuffed animals. The GUND company is based in Edison, New Jersey.
 Gund 12 Inch High Loretta the Llama - Click here to buy from Amazon.com |
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All doll reviews and content on this site are copyright Susan Kramer
and may not be used in any manner without express written permission.
Email: susan@susankramer.com
Baby Christening Gown
E-pattern by Susan Kramer
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and may not be used in any manner without express written permission.
Email: susan@susankramer.com
| How to Sew Cloth Dolls and Costumes plus Traceable Patterns Book by Susan Kramer  |
Medium Doll Clothes with Full Size Patterns Ebook by Susan Kramer  |
Baby Christening Gown
E-pattern by Susan Kramer
~ please visit again soon! ~
Hunger Site http://www.thehungersite.com
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My friend Mieke Blockland, here in Holland, does beautiful work with machine embroidery. Take a look at what she can embroider for you: http://www.miekeskreaateljee.nl/
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page updated February 2, 2010
Dolls sitemap with many patterns