How to Make a Rag Doll With Yarn Hair
- 1). Sketch out a basic cloth doll pattern. Make your doll a bit easier by drafting her dress right into her body. You will need arm and leg pieces, a head with neck attached and a body. Make the body a triangular shape with the top point lopped off. See the additional resources for free printable patterns that will work for this.
- 2). Cut out your doll. Use muslin or a similar skin-toned cotton of your choice for the head, arms and legs if desired. You can also choose a bright stripe or print for the legs to look like tights if you prefer. Cut the body out of a print or solid fabric to serve as her dress.
- 3). Sew arms and legs, right sides together. Turn right side out and stuff firmly. Stitch the front of the head to the front of the body. Repeat for the back. Pin the arms and legs into place on your doll body and pin the front to back, right sides together. The arms and legs should be enclosed in your pinned together body. Stitch around, leaving a two- to three-inch opening for stuffing.
- 4). Stuff your new cloth doll. Sew up the opening with a simple whipstitch. Embroider her face using a sharp needle and embroidery thread. Use a satin stitch for eyes and a chain stitch for a mouth. Add a bit of pink or rose-toned chalk or blush to her cheeks if desired.
- 5). Wrap yarn around a cardboard template cut to the desired size to make yarn hair for your rag doll. Once you have enough hair to cover your doll's head from hairline to nape of the neck, carefully slide the yarn off of the cardboard. Stitch down the middle, creating a part in the hair. Cut the strands apart, forming a wig. Stitch your yarn hair wig into place by hand and style into pigtails, a single ponytail or braids as desired.
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