Dolls

The dolls

Bibi Butterscotch dolls are made of natural materials. The skin is imported from Switzerland and has the organic öko-logo. The dolls are filled with soft clean carded wool also imported because most Dutch wool is too coarse. Wool has several advantages: wool holds warmth, wool is antibacterial and wool holds the smell of your child.

Teeswater locks

The locks I use are from award winning Teeswater sheep. We soak and wash the clipped fleeces several times in salt and special wool detergent so the locks are clean before dying. 

      

After dying and drying, the locks are wefted. I leave a piece of the locks stick out of the weft so I can cover up the scalp of the doll between the wefts. This way I do not have to use a special wig cap which is most of the time synthetic. It can happen that a single lock comes loose from the weft that is nothing to worry about. If you do not like the smell of the sheep, which can sometimes return after a while, use some good smelling non rinsable conditioner on the hair.

Seams

The seams of the dolls are sewn with a strong thread and a triple stitch.

Arms and legs

The arms and legs are kept very flexible. To prevent falling off, I sew the limbs at first deep into the body and later to the skin of the body. Because the dolls lack strong abs to keep them sitting, the top of the legs is left empty to make some room for the belly. You need to spread the legs for the sitting position. In time the wool can creep up. If you would like the doll to be able to sit again, stick a long needle on the sides of the legs to the other side, pushing the wool down. Keep the needles in for a night so the wool can adjust to its new position.

Storage

If the doll needs to be stored, please use a plastic bag with a bit of lavender to avoid wool loving moths.

 

 Cleaning

There is a fantastic tutorial with pictures about cleaning a doll on:

http://nestledunderrainbows.blogspot.nl

Summarized:

·         Spot cleaning: to spot clean you need some warm water, an old, soft tooth brush and some mild soap. Wet the tooth brush and rub a tiny bit of soap onto it. Very gently, in small circles, brush the soapy toothbrush over the spots (dirty bits). Rinse the brush in clean warm (but not hot) water. Brush over the skin in one direction. Try to follow the knit of the fabric. Repeat this until all of the soap has been rinsed off. Leave your doll to dry flat and naturally.

·         Full bath: fill a basin with warm, not hot, water. Add a little soap; a very mild detergent or a pure soap or again baby shampoo or soap. Immerse the doll in the water and very gently wash. You can slowly allow the water to seep through the wool, but try not to agitate it too much. For the worst bits you can use the old toothbrush trick mentioned above.
When the doll is clean refill the sink with warm clean water and repeat the process to rinse. While the doll is still wet make sure that her skin is still in the right place. Smooth the little face out, position the arms and legs to their natural place. Leave your doll to dry flat and naturally.

Cheek blusher

To apply the beeswax for re-blushing the cheeks, take out the wax and rub it over the small piece of jersey and apply it to the cheeks.