Rag dolls: a beginner's guide

A classic first toy to sew.

• A rag doll is a doll made from fabric scraps.
• It is a good first toy-making project that teaches basic toy-making skills.
• You can sew a whole wardrobe from remnants.
• Rag dolls were often used to teach children to sew.
• Safety for under-3s: for babies and children under 3, embroider the eyes and face instead of using buttons, beads or plastic safety eyes, and sew every part on securely. Small parts can come loose and are a choking risk (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission small-parts guidance).

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. Simply Sewing: Rag doll pattern
2. Wikipedia: Rag doll
3. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Small parts and choking hazards