Rag Doll Decoration

I was bored one day, and I just wanted to do a simple quick project. Even though it is spring time, I was thinking it would be cute to make some simple autumn decoration. This project was really fun since it was so simple, and I allowed myself to be sloppy and messy with the sewing because I felt like it added to the aesthetic.

• Fabric
• thread
• rice or stuffing
• buttons
• low weight interfacing (optional)

First I sketched some simple patterns, you can make you're own or you can download the image above

My fabric was a bit thin and slippery, so I decided to iron on some low weight interfacing. Then I traced the pattern onto the interface, and cut out the pieces, I didn't add seam allowance to the pattern, so be aware of that while cutting.

Pin and sew together the limb pieces, if you are using a sewing machine, make sure to go carefully and slowly around the curved parts. Then once it is sewed, turn the pieces inside out, it may be a little tricky, but I was eventually able to do it. Also, if needed, you can iron the limbs flat

You can also sew the head during this step and put it aside for later.

you can use anything you'd like to fill your doll, but I used rice instead of stuffing to give my dolls a little bit more weight and make them more rag-ish. I kept the limbs a little bit under stuffed, and had some loose space so that I could sew the limbs close without braking my machine. Then I closed the limbs by doing a simple straight stitch over the opening.

Using a straight stitch, simply baste the limbs onto one of the body pieces, make sure while doing this to have the limb going over the body piece.

Once all of the limbs are basted onto the body pieces, you're ready to sew the body pieces together. It's a bit hard to explain what I did, but to sew them together I basically folded one limb over and pinned the body piece over it, then I sewed over the limb and stopped to re-adjusted the pinning and fold the other limbs in. When you get the last arm, it may be a bit tricky, but take the first arm and place it in the neck hole, and take the last arm, and fold it in. Remember to leave an opening at the top for the head.

After sewing the body, it should look almost like a pocket with one of the arms at the top. Pull the arm at the neck hole, and continue to turn it inside out. Once you're done, you can then fill the body with rice.

Next, if you haven't already, you can sew the head together. Then fill the head up with rice, I filled the entire head up with rice, then stitched the bottom up with a simple wip stitch.

take the head and attach it to the body using a wip stitch

I was running out of time so I hot glued button eyes on, but it would probably be better to sew them on. I finished the doll here, but you can add any details you want.

Now you are done! This little rag doll looks perfect for simple decoration or just to have around!