How to Make Rag Dolls

Classic Rag Doll

Choose how you want your doll to look. Choose a human or an animal. Start with the fabric color. Any plain fabric will do, but you might want to choose something approximately skin-colored. Decide on the color of the hair and eyes. If you’re making an animal, you should also decide on whisker color. Traditionally, rag dolls were made from scraps of fabric (rags). Try to find enough fabric to recycle from a pillowcase, an old shirt, or clothes that don't fit.

Draw the outline for your doll on a cloth. To make things easier, download free templates from websites like AllFreeSewing.com, Pinterest, or AllCrafts.net. Then, trace the outline onto the fabric. Add some extra width (half an inch to 5/8") all around the outside of your outline for a seam allowance. Use tailor's chalk or washable pencil to mark the fabric if you don't want leftover marks showing through.

Place a second layer of fabric underneath. Place the right sides of the fabric together. Cut out the pattern on the outermost line. Make sure you’re cutting both pieces of fabric at the same time. This is step will be easier if you keep the template on the fabric.

Assemble the parts. Pin the fabric. Stitch around most of the outline. Leave an opening for the stuffing.

Relieve the seams around curves and corners. Position your scissors between the doll’s legs. Cut triangular notches in the seam allowance. Be careful to not cut into the seam itself.

Turn the doll right side out. Do this by working the fabric through the opening. Use the eraser side of a pencil for smaller widths on the doll’s body.

Stuff the doll. Feel free to use whatever kind of stuffing you want. Buy polyester fiberfill at any craft store. For a more natural approach, use cotton balls. If you really want to go green, use yarn or fabric scraps left over from your old projects.

Fold the edges of the opening towards the inside. Stitch it closed. You may do this by hand or with a sewing machine.

Make arm and leg joints. Use your marker or chalk to mark the point where the arms and legs meet the doll’s body. Stitch into these marks at all four points. Draw your needle through to the other side. When you’re finished, there should be a small dip between the body and the limbs.

Add the facial features. Sew on buttons for the eyes and nose. If you’re making the doll for a baby or young toddler, use embroidery floss to prevent a choking hazard. Use red yarn or embroidery floss for the mouth.

Make the hair. Use yarn or string for this step. Choose black, brown, yellow, or red for natural hair colors. If you want to make a punk rocker doll, go for pink, purple, or other funky hair color. To complete the hairstyle: Decide how long you want the doll’s hair to be. Cut the yarn to twice that length. Place the middle of the yarn at the center of the head. Pin it in place. Sew the middle of the hair to the head. This should form a part in the center of the hair. Glue or sew the rest of the hair to about where the ears would be. Glue or sew additional hair to the back of the doll’s head, if desired. For long-haired dolls, braid or tie the sides of the hair into pigtails.

Create doll clothes. Download free templates from crafting websites or design your own template by sketching the outlines on newspaper. Trace the template on your choice of fabric. Cut out the design, and stitch everything together. You can also make an easy no-sew outfit for your doll using fabric glue.

Find a purpose for the finished doll. Give the doll to a child in your life. Add it to the décor of your living room or kitchen. Depending on the doll’s color scheme and clothing, you can also use it as part of our holiday decorating.

No-Sew Rag Doll

Decide what your doll will look like. Choose whether you want your doll to wear pants or a dress/skirt. Decide on the skin color. You could opt for realistic flesh tones, other solid colors, or patterns.

Measure the fabric. Use a ruler to measure two inches of length on an old piece of cloth. Mark the two-inch mark across the cloth with washable marker or tailor’s chalk.

Create fabric strips. Cut on the line you just created. Divide the cloth into 13 to 18 equal parts. You can do this with the marker or tailor’s chalk. Cut the cloth into strips.

Make the head. Roll two strips into a ball. Take two more strips, and fold them over the ball. Tie the strips right below the ball with a ribbon or rubber band.

Start to make the clothing. Lay two to three fabric strips over the doll’s head. Position the strips lengthwise running down the body. Make sure the head is in the center of this layer.

Finish the clothing. Tie the long strip with a ribbon or rubber band directly below the head. Fold the top half of the strip down so that the head is visible again.

Flip the doll over. Repeat Steps 5 and 6. This will give both sides a complete appearance of clothing.

Make the arms. Take two more strips. Lay one on top of the other. Fold each of the ends into the center. Twist the strips to thin them out a bit. Tuck them into the doll’s body below the rubber band marking the head.

Secure the arms. Tie off the area right below the arms. Use a rubber band or ribbon to do this. Securing the arms will also form the chest and the waist.

Make the legs. Gather the area below the waist into two equal parts. Twist each side once to make them thinner. Tie the bottom of each side to give the appearance of legs, ankles, and feet.

Add facial features. Cut out small circles of blue, brown, or green fabric to make the eyes. Use a small piece of red yarn to make the mouth. Glue these to the face.

Finished.