3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

How to Make a Raggedy Ann Doll

How to Make a Raggedy Ann Doll
My grandmother made a Raggedy Ann doll for me when I was little, and I'll never forget the details she put into it. I always appreciated the layering of clothing, which made it fun to dress.

Since the craft contest is sponsored by Singer and Lion Brand, I wanted to make something that incorporated sewing and yarn.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Making the Body

Making the Body
«
  • Sunflower Doll 003.jpg
  • Sunflower Doll 008.jpg
  • Sunflower Doll 010.jpg
  • Sunflower Doll 011.jpg
  • Sunflower Doll 017.jpg
  • Sunflower Doll 022.jpg
Making the doll involves a lot of steps, but none of them are difficult. I made my own pattern using geometric shapes of rectangles, circles, and ovals.

You will need about a yard of whatever color material you wish to use for the body.
I suggest a lower thread-count fabric, since muslin makes it difficult to get the yarn/hair through.

Pin the pattern to the fabric, trace around the edges, and cut about 1/2 inch further out than the traced line.

Cut 4 arms, 4 legs, and 2 head/bodies.

(Whenever you see my pen pointing at the fabric, it means to sew that area.)

Sew 2pieces of the arm to make one. Do the same for the other arm, and for the legs.

TIP: When rounding a corner, leave the needle of the sewing machine down, lift the foot, turn the fabric, lower the foot, and turn.

Sew the head and body, leaving open two holes in the sides for the arms to fit in, and the bottom open.

Once the pieces are finished, notch the corners to keep it from gathering around the curves when you turn it inside out.

« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
19 comments
Feb 7, 2012. 8:37 AMthe_lonely_snake says:
it;s so beautiful am gonna cry :) ,i really wished i knwe how to sew and do such stuff
Dec 18, 2011. 5:05 PMhrachiele says:
Thank you for your Instructable. I used it for inspiration for a doll that I'll be giving as a Christmas gift. I will admit that I cheated a little bit, at least when it came to the doll's clothing. I bought a 3T dress and made my doll pattern so that the doll would fit the dress. It worked out quite well. For added cuteness, I also bought a matching dress small enough to fit the child who will receive the doll.

The nose looks a little funny in photographs because I put a small piece of fabric beneath the area where I added the French knots for the nostrils. I felt as though some reinforcement of the fabric might be needed. For subsequent dolls, I am not going to do that.
Aug 31, 2011. 9:41 AMCori-Anne says:
love the way you explained the directions.. I will be able to get busy on my rag doll.. Hoping it turns out adorable.. Thanks again for the instructions especially for the hair... Keeping fingers crossed..
Jul 28, 2011. 6:17 PMKittyF says:
good job explaining.
Jul 28, 2011. 5:48 PMKittyF says:
the nice thing about the original Raggedy Ann and Andy is they never lost their shoes or socks. shoes and socks are the hardest to keep track of for any doll so she was a good doll. LOL


Jul 3, 2011. 8:47 AMcopilarim says:
a sunflower princess doll!!:D
Jun 3, 2010. 2:45 AMsindasilva says:
Lovely!
Dec 20, 2009. 10:34 AMJBeuke says:
I can't open the pdf file to print it.  I can't tell the dimensions for the body parts.  Would you send me a pic or the dimensions?  Thanks
Jan 10, 2010. 4:13 AMAriadne Cantara says:
PS. - I think that I accidently clicked on 4,5 instead of the best vote. =( I am so stupid! I'm very sorry!
Jan 10, 2010. 4:03 AMAriadne Cantara says:
The work is excellent! You're very creative and talanted in doll - making. =)
Sep 28, 2009. 10:19 AMmcpotts says:
found this site, read hair directions, wanted enlarged pic of hair being made, had to join, did join, and now the directions and pix for hair aren't there. What's' up w/that?
Sep 29, 2009. 9:36 AMmcpotts says:
thanks, - am planning on just sewing year in loops, several layers, hoping I can get sewn on w/o sewing through the head itself. Any tips?
Nov 28, 2008. 10:12 AMnafisa says:
Thank you for all the great info to make this wonderful doll. I am going to make one for my grand-daughter. One comment: wouldn't be easier to embroidery the face before it is stuffed?

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
41
Followers
22
Author:Very Interesting