Caring for Handmade Fabric Art Dolls & Brooches
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To care for handmade cotton brooches and fabric art dolls: never machine wash them, spot-clean gently with a damp cloth, keep them out of direct sunlight and damp, store them somewhere dry, and bend any internal wire slowly and rarely.
Handmade fabric pieces are a little like real woodland creatures: they last a long time when treated gently. Here is how to keep your Mooniland brooches and art dolls looking their best.
Care at a glance
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Spot-clean with a damp cloth | Machine wash or soak |
| Air-dry away from heat | Tumble dry or use a hairdryer |
| Store somewhere dry and dust-free | Leave in damp or direct sun |
| Bend wire slowly, occasionally | Bend the same spot repeatedly |
How do you clean a handmade fabric piece?
Never machine wash — cotton fabric can lose its shape. If a piece gets a small stain, wipe it gently with a damp cloth or wet wipe and let it air-dry away from direct heat.
How do you keep hand-dyed colours bright?
Each piece is hand-dyed, which gives it its soft, one-of-a-kind colour. Keep it out of long, direct sunlight to prevent fading, and away from rain and damp. (Curious how the colours are made? See The Story of Hand-Dyeing.)
How do you reshape bendable parts?
Some pieces — like the rabbit-ear pendant and the 3D embroidered brooch — have a thin wire inside. You can gently bend them into shape, but avoid repeated, forceful bending in the same spot, as the wire can eventually fatigue and break.
How do you store brooches safely?
Keep brooches somewhere dry and dust-free — a small box or tin is perfect. Because the pins are sharp, store them where they will not press against other delicate items (or curious fingers).
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a fabric brooch or art doll?
Not in a machine. Spot-clean only, with a damp cloth, and air-dry away from heat.
What if it gets wet?
Pat it dry gently and let it air-dry flat, away from radiators and direct sun, so the hand-dyed colour does not run or fade.
How do I fix a bent wire?
Ease it back into shape slowly with your fingers. Bend gradually rather than sharply, and only when you need to.
Are these safe around children?
They are decorative, collectible pieces, not toys — they have small parts and sharp pins, so keep them out of reach of young children.
Each creature is sewn a little differently on purpose, so small variations are part of the charm. Treated kindly, your little woodland friend will keep you company for years. Meet the rest of the creatures →