Testimonials

“I have six daughters, with a span of 18 years, and when my oldest daughters were about seven and nine years old, I knew I wanted to buy them dolls for Christmas. Their friends were all getting American Girl dolls, but I didn’t like the plastic or the baked-in-story, or the endless catalogs that came along with that franchise. So I choose these Q’war dolls, and when they arrived in the mail, I was blown away by their high quality. I’d made Waldorf dolls before, but these dolls had firm well-stuffed bodies with movable joints. Their wigs of hair were expertly crafted so the hair could be put in braids (which my girls loved doing) or fall loose. The clothing was also in sweet colors that complemented the skin tones of the dolls. My girls were delighted beyond words, and they treasured them and created an endless saga of stories around them. I was so pleased that I bought my son one of their boy dolls which enabled him and the girls to make stories with their dolls together.  He has been the groom/brother/husband/uncle/hero of several generations of dolls, and still is in the playroom today, in his original knit sweater and trousers. 

So when my second pair of daughters were around seven and nine, I repeated the pattern: my older daughter begged for and received the redhaired doll and my other daughter was surprised and delighted to receive a black-haired doll. I should mention my older children’s dolls were still in play. In fact, the older sister’s brunette doll was so beloved that one child had enthusiastically “given her a haircut” by cutting off her braids one fateful day, only to learn that doll’s hair doesn’t grow back..

I should mention that these dolls are very sturdy and hold up to vigorous play. We have a rule that they cannot be brought outside or taken on trips, which has definitely lengthened their lifespans. But aside from one doll’s neck joint wearing out, we have not lost a limb or split a seam, and as with all homemade toys, it is easy to do maintenance on them: I was able to re-sew the neck joint myself.

It has been nearly two decades since that Christmas of 2006 when three Q’war dolls joined our home. And I still have two young daughters! So I searched online and I was delighted to find the Alli-Rose Collective where these beautiful and enduring dolls are still being stitched and sold. It was wonderful to work with Madelaine to find two dolls for my last two girls, and this Christmas, my youngest daughters were thrilled to receive their own blond and brown haired dolls.

One of my oldest daughters is now married, and she recently surprised her little sisters by bringing out her own Q’war doll from its attic hiding place (she hid it after the hair-cutting episode afflicted her sister’s doll). It is remarkably still lovable and playable, and she plans to give it to her own children to play with. I’m very grateful to the women of Q’war for making these amazing dolls and for their US partners who enable us to support their work and benefit from their artistry! May they continue for many years to come!”

– Peace and good, Regina