Even the materials-list pages are pretty. Look how the fabrics, ribbons and yarns are laid out for the Red Riding Hood doll shown above.
My Rag Doll takes you through the creation of a simple doll with customizeable hair and features. You can start with a clean and tidy hairdo and let the naturalism develop over time as the doll is loved and dragged about by her human friends. Or, you can style her hair with wispies and frayed ends for a more broken-in effect—see hair-style examples above.
And there are many different clothing and shoe patterns included as well, from dungaries and a raincoat to pajamas and a kimono—and everything in between.
My next rag-doll baby doubled as baby Jesus in our family Christmas devotional when I was four. Somewhere amongst my keepsakes there is a photo of me as Mary holding my dolly Jesus. Later, for my eighth birthday, my mom made me another doll with a matching moses basket and a change of clothes. Again, there is a photo of me somewhere with my friends all gathered on our front lawn while I tear the wrapping paper off of this beloved gift.
I have often thought about creating the quintessential rag-doll pattern book. Something to pay homage to my long-standing love for rag dolls. I envisioned an intro with these personal photos and an account of my own history making dolls, even having dolls of mine displayed at a museum. Then, a lovely book like this shows up on my doorstep—it's great to have publisher friends—and my fantasy is quite fulfilled. I don't even have to do the writing and pattern-drafting work. I can skip straight to the fun part—gathering fabrics, trims and yarn and making up a rag doll for my own daughter to drag about and love. While I might write my own doll book one day, I'm in no hurry for now. This book is lovely.
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Stitch Craft Create, the publisher, has offered me a second copy of this new book to give away. To enter, leave a comment below by Friday at midnight MST. If you have a rag-doll memory, share it with us. One winner will be randomly chosen early next week. To purchase the book in advance and also immediately receive a downloadable e-book at no additional charge, click here. Or you can pre-order the book on Amazon. Blog-hop details here—psssst—there might be others giving away a copy of the book.
What a cute book! When I was little my grandma made me matching raggedy ann and andy dolls. I wish my mom had kept them. They were so cute and had their hearts embroidered on their bodies. Sweet!
My mom made me dolls when I was younger, not rag dolls, but a homemade Smurfette and a homemade Care Bear. I loved them and she did an excellent job.
When I was in high school and as a 4-H project, my sister and I made rag dolls (probably a hundred or more) that were sent to missions in foreign countries. It kept us busy most of the summer, while honing our sewing skills. I still have the original pattern we used to make the dolls and their clothing, and recently saw that the company has re-published an updated version of this pattern. It’s a wonderful memory and I would enjoy making more of those precious rag dolls.
Have always loved dolls – ALL kinds of dolls – and still have some inconspicuously placed around the home 😉 Would love to make my own.
I love the dolls and animals my mom stitched for me. I still have all of them, sitting around my sewing room. This is a lovely book.
I do remember having a giant rag roll when I was a girl. I think I destroyed it to be honest (through play, not on purpose).
I had a Raggedy Ann doll as well, to this day I still love Raggedy Ann dolls. I would love to win this book so much!!
The first rag doll I ever made was in high school. My “Home & Family Living” class was required to make something for a foster child or something like that. It’s been 40 years so it’s hard to remember, haha. Anyway, I went home and hand stitched a doll using old socks, yard for hair, and some scraps of fabric for clothing that my Mom had around the house. I embroidered a little face on her, and brought it to school to turn in. I remember my teacher calling me up and just loving the doll and wondering if I really wanted to give it away, because she would let me keep it if I wanted to. I said no, of course, wanting it to go to some little girl who might like it. But I remember being so pleased and proud that then teacher was that impressed with it. I wish I had taken a picture of it now, but back then film was expensive and we just didn’t take pictures like we do now. I do wonder what little girl ended up with it, though. (I also wonder sometimes if my teacher didn’t take it home herself!!)
This just makes me all nostalgic. I would love to win this book.
Hi,oh yes I remember my rag doll well! Mine was made by my Grandmother>very cute and very loved! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I would so love to win a copy of this book. It’d be fun to have more gifting options to sew for friends having babies.
my rag doll was Mary Poppins…she had an extra set of clothing…and i always loved that her eyes were stitched a bit wonky…. i love making dolls. thanks for a chance.
I love dolls!
What a lovely book! Homemade rag dolls are such a treasure. Stitched with love for a special little someone.
Oh I would love to win this book!! I just had my daughter 7 weeks ago and I would love to make her a soft, adorable, doll for her to start loving even while she’s so little! And oh how fun it would be to make matching dresses for her and her doll to wear together!! My mom didn’t make me a doll but she used to make matching dresses for my dolls and me! That way for Easter Sunday or other holidays my doll and I could match and I LOVED that!! I would love to be able to do that for my little girl now! Such a cute book!
This book is the tip-top of the stack! Gorgeous.
I never had a rag doll so I missed out completely until I first crocheted a rag doll, then later on made Raggedy Ann & Andy from fabric for our oldest daughter. Thank you for this great giveaway.
I’ve never had a handmade doll as a kid, so now I would love to start a tradition by making one for my daughter!!! Lovely book!!!
My grandmother had a raggedy ann and Andy dolls thatived in her guest bedroom. I just remember I wasn’t allowed to play with them. Haha. Thanks!
What a lovely book! Thank you SO much for sharing! ~x~ Tasneem
I had a holly hobby profile type doll..sort of like a rag doll. I still have it tucked away too! I remember my family wanted me to ditch this doll so they gave me an exact replica (which I would not trade up for) and a different angel doll which I also rejected! That doll is one of the few things I have kept all my life–I look forward to making rag dolls for my grandbabiesin the future!
I never had a rag doll. Always the plastic variety. But my grandmother did make me felt and corduroy animals, so can’t really complain. 🙂
PS: Looks like a great book. I’ll check out Amazon.
Loving the look of this book, thanks for the opportunity to win it
This book looks adorable. I’ve been wanting to make my kids dolls for a little while! I didn’t have any homemade rag dolls as a kid and I’d love to give my children such a sweet gift.
What a great book. I made rag dolls for my nieces for Christmas and it was such a fun project, I’d love to learn how to do more!
I would love to make those rag dolls for my three granddaughters. They bring back so many memories from my childhood. What a darling book! Thanks for the opportunity.
I have been looking for just this book! I want to make my great niece a rag doll for her 1st birthday and have not been finding the pattern for the doll I had envisioned. I think this may be the one.
Looks like a fantastic book! I have memories of a tall ‘Levis’ rag doll which was bought for me by my uncle when I was about 6 or 7. Thanks for the opportunity to win this lovely book.
What a beautiful book!! I have a hand knitted mouse that was given to me by a family friend when I was 4. I brought it down from the attic to give to my little girls just the other day. I have made some dolls for my little girls but would love this book!!
What a cute book!
Oh How I recall having rag dolls when I was a kid. I still have one that my sister and I fought over and my niece thought it would be fun to give it to the dog (not). I do have my grandmother’s Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, but they are safely in the hope chest (yes, I have my mother’s chest, the one I made myself got passed around, was a toy chest and then stored wood for a while). Life is all good; Would love to make some rag dolls for my friends lil one and hopefully for a future grand niece…
I love the rag doll because it can be customized and personalized. The doll can be pretty sitting on a shelf or drug around by the arm by a little one!
I love rag dolls! My aunt Lillian made me a Raggedy Ann and a Raggedy Andy doll for my brother. And when I was teaching Ahnalin to sew, at age 5, one of her first projects was a rag doll. She then made a few more to send to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. They weren’t beautiful dolls but they were filled with love.
I love all kinds of dolls. My favorite rag doll was bought in Budapest many years ago for my daughter. She is dressed in traditional Hungarian dress. We tried to get another one the next year for my niece. We have never seen another one like it.
I made my two little girls rag dolls for Christmas and refinished and repaired the wooden doll cradle that once rocked my own childhood rag doll to “sleep.” What a delightful looking book!
I love rag dolls! When I was a child, I was entranced by the more expensive manufactured dolls and those are long gone. But I have a sweet rag doll I bought as an adult that has stayed with me through many moves and many years.
I had a beautiful knitted rag doll that sat on my bed and was cuddled most nights. She was dressed in a removable hat, jumper and pinafore. As I grew older she got moved to a shelf with other special teddies and now my daughter has claimed her. She is now back where she should be, on a bed being hugged and loved and played with again. I love seeing this circle of love completed by my daughter. I would love to make her a rag doll that she could help create and love that might eventually end up on her daughters bed.
Thanks for sharing our thoughts on this book, it is definitely being added to my wish list.
I am dying to make a rag doll for my daughter. A neighbour had made me one as a child and I loved it. I think it will be a wonderful way to teach my daughter to sew, making clothes for her doll 🙂
Oh my goodness what a gorgeous book! I would love love love this book for my collection of crafty books:) thank you x
I made a raggedy anne doll (complete with embroidered “I love you” heart) about 40 years ago. My 2 year old grand daughter has now adopted “Baby Annie” for her own and I couldn’t be happier! This looks like a wonderful book!
Would love to be the recipient of this darling book!
Lovely book. I would love to make a couple of these dolls for my nieces.
I have a gorgeous Caribbean rag doll that my Godmother bought for me. Would love to make one for my Goddaughter now! The book looks gorgeous.
When I was a child my grandmother made me a doll from a white sock. She even painted a cute face on it and I loved her dearly.
I didn’t have a rag doll but I think my granddaughters (5, 2, 2, and arriving in June) would love to cuddle a rag doll.
This would be perfect for my niece.
I love rag dolls, too. I’m not sure I have the patience to create one but I think both my girls would love one.
Last year I got the idea to make middle daughter a doll for her birthday. One week before. I used the Poppy doll pattern from Hop Skip Jump Handmade. I got the doll made & two outfits before the birthday day. My sewing table still has pieces for three more outfits from last year. Her birthday is in two weeks maybe I should start them now.
This is just what I need for my daughter… I’ve been fantasizing about some beautiful hand-made rag-dolls that look a lot like the ones on this book. But they were too expensive for a toy and then I gave up the idea. Now, I could possibly make one…
I gave it a try a few years ago when my sons were younger. They each ended up with a funny little red-headed rag doll with curly hair. These were tiny and flawed and imperfect (and naked because, given the poor results, I didn’t bother making clothes for them), but you know what? They loved them nonetheless, because I had made the dolls specially for them… Maybe I could try again and see if I can do better this time.
I don’t have a ragdoll memory from when I was little…but know my Daughter does..she is 36 now,,,and still has the ragdolls I made her. Has 3 of different sizes…and a med. suitcase full of clothes I made them too. Sit & keep her company in her sewing room! She talks about them still too…
I will make my Grangirlie friends & clothes with this book. They are ADORABLE!! And thus..I will create Heart Memories for her to keep too…
Oh I would love to win this book! I really want to make my baby daughter a whole load of dolls and this looks like the perfect book to do that with. Thanks for the review and opportunity to win. Zoe xx
My very favorite ragdoll was made by my Grandma. Unfortunately, my favorite puppy managed to get it years later. Still miss it!!
I had many dolls when I was a child and I loved to play with them. I never had a rag doll and I would love to win this book to make one doll for my three years old daughter.
Laura
This book sounds great. I’d love to make a load of rag dolls for all of the little girls I know. I always wanted a rag doll like the ones in the book but I never did get one so I would like to make one for me too! 🙂
I was gifted beautiful dolls from Singapore when my aunts travelled from India to Singapore on passenger ships in 70’s. It is a treasure to cherish . I would love to make a rag doll for my 4 yr old niece for her birthday in September. Looks like a fabulous book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I too played with rag dolls…I had a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll as well…they were well loved.
Love this new book.
Mary
Adorable book! I would love to win this book.
I do not have a rag doll story but I would love to win the book and make a rag doll. They are so cute!
My daughters love rag dolls! I never had one, sadly.
This is adorable. I don’t have a rag doll memory but I would love to create some with my daughter!
This looks like a wonderful book. My favorite toy as a child was a rag doll my mother made. I still have her, however, she’s lost most of her hair and stuffing.
I have made several rag dolls over the years for our girls. I would love to win this book and continue by making rag dolls for my grandgirls. Thanks.
There’s something so wonderful and satisfying in making a rag doll; it’s the creation of a personality, as you watch it unfold. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! It looks incredibly sweet and I must make one of these sweet girls!
I made a rag doll for my niece about 30 years ago. This book would be a great inspiration as I am about to make dolls for the new generation coming along.
Laura’s rag doll Charlotte in Little House is something I always rather envied but never had for my own. These dolls are perfectly charming and I’d love to make some for my girls. The book looks like it will inspire some beautiful doll making.
I know I am past the deadline for the giveaway, but I wanted to say thanks for this. I will order the book. I am not too old to make a rag doll for myself, since all my grandchildren are boys.
It’s after Friday, so maybe I’m out of the running, but I want this book so badly! I love all the beautiful dolls I’ve seen from it and would love to make some for my dear daughter. I never had any homemade dolls, but I loved all my dolls growing up!
So lovely. I’d love to make one for my daughter. Please can I win the book??
Dawn
Oh, what a beautiful doll! I can see some doll-making in my future – have never tried but always wanted to.
Mine was just a Raggedy Ann, but I loved her!
I have made doll clothes, but never the actual dolls. These are super cute! I might have to try it:) P.S. I just started following your blog, and it is lovely!
My mom made me a rag doll when I was three and it went everywhere with me…and it shows. Last year I made my daughter a rag doll Princess Leia. I loved making it almost as much as she loves it. There’s just something about a homemade doll.
Love the Red Riding Hood Doll! I have a rag doll that I made several years ago that keeps residence on the back of the loveseat in our front room.
I am totally inspired by the book too! I had a ragdoll named Christabell (only a little girl can think of such a fanciful name!). She was dressed in blue, with yellow yarn hair. I remember having loads of tea parties with her and my sister, whose ragdoll was MiMi. Oh the fun we had! I need to make a doll for my daughter on of these days!
Oh I had a lovely rag doll when I was young, such a cherished dolly. I now have four daughters and really must make them their own dolls before they are grown up, hmmmm to do list is suuuppppper long.
This is just what I need! I’d love to make one for myself. Unfortunately, I have an older sibling who destroyed all my dolls, so my memories are not so nice!
My dad died on Jan. 12, 1969, one month before my 9th birthday. When we visited him in the hospital on Christmas Eve, he presented my two older brothers and me with felt Christmas stockings he had made by hand for each of us. I knew things weren’t going well because my mom didn’t have to sneak me onto the floor of daddy’s hospital room anymore…it was suddenly okay for me to be there even though I wasn’t 12+ yrs. We still treasure those stockings. My February birthday that year was not a very happy one, but it was special. My dad had made me a rag doll in the hospital before he died, intending to give it to me on my birthday. We’ve been through a lot together. I’d love to try making some dolls for my daughters and granddaughters.
What a fun book! I’m a beginner, but would love to make one.
My mom used to make matching dresses for my doll. I think the mothers of my little friends were the jealous ones. Lol. Thank you for a great opportunity – I have a new granddaughter and think she must have one of these adorable friends!
Hello! I am recently retired and recently discovered the pleasure of making rag dolls to give to special young and old that I meet. I have always loved dolls and unfortunately growing up in foster homes did not have many dolls to cuddle. It gives me so much pleasure to make these dolls and give them to a special child. There is something special about about hugging a rag doll–money can’t buy the love extended through a hand made rag doll.