Sewing: Baby Doll Baskets for the Waldorf Dolls

Maybe the reason this year feels a bit slow to start is because I'm still consumed with what should have been December (or November!) projects! Ah, well. So it goes.

When Dana released her Baby Doll Basket pattern in time for the holidays last year I snatched it up right away because I had Waldorf dolls in the works for my girls for Christmas. I thought each of them needed a little basket to go with. I love the design. These remind me of the Moses basket I carried Audrey around in when she was a newborn--I just moved her from room to room and set her snuggled nearby me.

It's part carrier and part bed--perfect! And soft so it's easy to carry, and store. I had been thinking of little wood beds but this works better I think. And it involves the fun of fabrics!

I found some reversible, floral quilted fabrics at Joann (so 80s! so fun), which I used for two of these. A very feminine take. And Joann also carried this fun zebra print and coordinating DS Quilts orange and grey dots fabric. The latter is my less-girly take. Can you guess whose doll gets that one?

Yes. Audrey's doll gets the graphic prints.

And for Scarlett's, this aqua and red floral. Though it turns out she prefers the green one I'd intended for Tess's doll. They will work it out.

I lined all the baskets with some cut chenille fabric I'd purchased years ago for making baby blankets and burp cloths, which I didn't make. I love the cozy texture. 

I backed the blankets with the chenille too. And I decided on a few other variations from the pattern: I doubled the binding on the handles just for fun, I used cotton batting instead, which is really nice and soft but thinner so my baskets are a bit floppier than Dana designed, and I added a couple interior pockets to each basket.

My friend, Margie, had the idea for the pockets. I made them out of the lining fabric and added some seam binding at the top. Then I sewed them to the lining before assembling per the pattern directions.

Now the Doll Baskets can be beds, carriers, and wardrobes! 

As soon as these dolls get some more clothes, that is.

So happy to have these finished and ready to use. They were so much fun to make! Pretty laughable that I thought I could knock them out in a day or two before Christmas had I arrived at that point. I keep forgetting to times the effort by three. Three of everything...  

Off to the next project!