How to sew a rag doll: patterns and manufacturing technology

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:35

Rag dolls are loved by children in many countries. These are warm and soft toys depicting people with whom you can play mother-daughter. Such dolls perfectly bend and take any position. They are comfortable to sleep in an embrace, carry them with you in a backpack to kindergarten or elementary school.

Sewing Features

In the article, we will consider how to sew a rag doll according to a pattern, what material to choose and how to shape small facial features and fingers and toes. Consider sewing samples of such crafts on a solid pattern, as well as prefabricated models from individual elements. As a filler, a synthetic winterizer in sheets is most often used, since natural wool will get lumpy over time, and artificial wool will creak unpleasantly with every movement of the toy.

Rag dolls are sewn according to the pattern in several stages. First, the details of the product according to the cardboard template are transferred with a crayon or a simple pencil to the selectedfabric, then cut each of them along the contours with an indent for a seam allowance. If a sheet synthetic winterizer is selected, then it is cut out according to the same patterns, only the size of the pattern is reduced for free diligence. If a fibrous material similar to cotton wool is used, then the parts of the rag doll pattern are first sewn together, leaving a small hole in an inconspicuous place, and then the filler is pushed inside. At the end, the rest of the fabric is sewn up with an internal seam.

One Piece Baby Doll Pattern

This doll is made life-size of a newborn baby. The fabric for a rag doll pattern is best taken either cotton or linen. This toy will be easy to wash in the washing machine, and it will perfectly retain its shape and color. On a large sheet of drawing paper, draw the outlines of the entire doll - a round head, a wide neck (so that the head is held firmly), two arms that turn into a rounded body, and two legs with slightly bent knees, as newborn babies usually lie.

Any schoolgirl can draw such a pattern of a rag doll with her own hands. You do not need to have special talents as an artist to depict parts of the human body. For cutting, the pattern according to the template is transferred to a fabric folded in half. When cutting two identical parts, be sure to deviate from the outer contours by 1 cm for a seam allowance. Fold both pieces wrong sides out and sew all edges with neat, even stitches.

Leave the distance between the legs of the doll unsewn. Turn the pattern through this hole.on the front side and stuff the doll with padding polyester. In order for the filler to get into hard-to-reach places, for example, the ends of the arms and legs, use any stick. When the doll has acquired the shape necessary for the toy, the last centimeters are sewn up with an internal seam and the knot is tightened. The main work has been completed. You can decorate a rag doll in different ways:

• sew on small details of appliqués from fabrics of other colors;
• embroider the contours of the eyes, mouth and nose with floss;
• sew on button eyes, and make a beaded mouth;
• draw facial features with markers.

You don't need to attach hair to your baby, as newborns are often born with a little fluff on their heads. If desired, you can make hair out of yarn using a crochet hook.

Rag doll pattern with sizes

You can draw a pattern with your own hands according to the following pattern. The head has a diameter of 8 cm and is drawn with a compass. Sew it directly to a straight line of arms outstretched to the sides. To draw them symmetrically, fold a piece of paper in half.

The drawing has only three sizes: the length from the fingertips on one hand to the opposite side, the length from the shoulders to the heels of the legs and the width of the legs. The contours of all details are drawn around these main lines. When you unfold the sheet, you get the figure of a baby. Then proceed according to the scheme described above, only the head is collected separately, its inner space is filled with padding polyester, and only then attached to the prepared body.

Felt patterndolls

It is easy to sew a rag doll according to a pattern from sheets of felt. This is a soft and warm material that is sold in a large assortment in needlework and sewing accessories stores. The figure below clearly shows how many parts you need to cut out of the fabric for sewing a doll. As you can see, the hair is also sewn from felt. Cut bangs and ponytails separately.

Ears are drawn immediately on the head pattern from both sides. The arms are cut out separately, and the legs are cut out together with the body. Attach the upper limbs can be firmly sewn to the body. Or you can make them mobile by fastening them with buttons. Immediately given and a dress pattern with flowers on the hem.

Girl Doll

Another version of the pattern of a felt doll in a dress can be seen below in the article. The head of the toy is assembled from two identical parts. Do not forget to fill the interior with synthetic winterizer or cotton wool. On the front of the head, you immediately need to sew on the eyes. To do this, use black small buttons. So that they are slightly recessed in a soft filler, they are sewn on, piercing through all layers of the fabric. Then, the back of the head and a forelock with ponytails are cut out of black or brown felt and attached on top of the finished head, thereby covering the seams from attaching the eyes.

According to the templates, the rag doll pattern is first traced with chalk on flesh-colored felt, and then cut to size. The seams in this case are all external, with stitches over the edge of the fabric. Pick up the threads to match the felt so that theymerged with the general background of the fabric.

Last of all, a flared dress is attached. You can choose any color and decorate it as you wish.

Flannel toy

You can use old baby diapers to sew a rag doll. Flannel is a soft material, pleasant to the touch and easy to work with. How to make a pattern for such a doll, you already know. For the leg template, draw the bottom curve of the foot so that the doll can wear knitted socks or sew shoes out of fabric. Hair is made from yellow or orange yarn.

First, the threads are pulled over any base, for example, the back of a chair or a kitchen board. Then cuts are made along the edges with scissors and pigtails are braided. In the center, the threads remain unused. Visually determine the parting line and sew the hair with simple threads from the forehead line to the back of the head. Facial features are easier than ever to draw with colored felt-tip pens or markers. Over time and from washing, they may discolor, then you can draw a different facial expression on the doll.

Seated doll

Mostly life-size rag dolls are sewn according to patterns entirely. This greatly simplifies the process, but in order for the craft to be seated on a bed or high chair, it must be seated, that is, the legs must bend at the pelvis.

The photo clearly shows how to achieve this. Even a doll sewn in a single pattern can be seated if the filler is divided into parts and stitched through with stitchesline between torso and legs.

Combining sewing techniques

Let's look at an interesting combination of cotton fabric with a felt hairstyle and braids twisted from threads of yarn on the sides of the head. Such a combination of different materials emphasizes the uniqueness of the doll, sewn with your own hands according to a rather simple pattern. The legs and arms can be left with semicircular ends, or you can sew the contours of each finger with floss threads to make a full-fledged palm.

As you can see, using the outlines of the toy drawn on a sheet of paper, you can create patterns for dolls of any shape and size. There are one-piece options, and there are prefabricated models from individual parts. Be sure to use a filler to give the doll the necessary volume. Try making your own using old shirts or linens. The first samples are best done in one pattern, eventually moving on to more complex patterns. Good luck!