DIY Recycled Waldorf Inspired Rag Doll

Making things out of items that are being discarded is a great way to be frugal and Eco-friendly.  It is also perfect if you have a piece of clothing that is outgrown but still holds some sentimental value. The materials could come from home, hand me downs, or even the thrift store. 

We had an old pair of PJ pants laying around from one of our teenaged foster children who had long since left.  They never fit, so I set them aside since the fabric was cute for the kids.  I used one leg of those pants last year for Ana's No Sew Headband Holder. These little dolls used the other leg, and the shorts that are left over will be donated to Goodwill. 

Tools Needed:

• Fabric Scissors
• Seam Ripper
• Iron
• Sewing Machine

 Materials Needed:

• 1 leg from a pair of knit adult small (or larger) pajama pants.
• Old long sleeved shirt.
• 2 or 3 pairs of unwanted socks
• Cotton batting or fabric scraps for stuffing

Step 1

Step 1- Cut the leg of of the pajamas off leaving a pair of shorts and a tube of fabric.

Step 2

Step 2- Rip the hem out and press.

Step 3

Step 3- Fold the pant leg into thirds for three tiny dolls or in half for two slightly larger dolls.

Step 4

Step 4- For three dolls, cut along the two folds. Do NOT cut the tube of the pants legs open.  For two dolls cut along the one fold. 

Step 5

Step 5- Find a mismatched sock in a small size.

Step 6

Step 6- Stuff the sock with natural cotton batting or you could use scraps of fabric, wool, etc.

Step 7

Step 7- Stuff all the stuffing into the toe of the sock, and twist the sock creating a "head" for the doll. 

Step 8

Step 8- Turning one of the tubes inside out, pin across the top adding the sock head to roughly the middle. 

Step 9

Step 9- The head part should be facing the right side of the fabric inside the tube.

Step 10

Step 10- If your fabric is stretchy, it is a knit.  You will have to use a special setting on your machine.  It is the stitch that looks like my number three.  I never knew this until recently, and what a difference it makes! 

Step 11

Step 11- Sew all the way across the top edge only with a 3/8" seam allowance.  Use a back stitch or locking stitch at each end to secure your seam. 

Step 12

Step 12- After checking that your seam is secure all the way across, trim the seam and cut the end of the sock off. 

Step 13

Step 13- Using a 3/8" seam allowance, sew the bottom of the doll closed.  Be sure to leave a small space open so that you can turn the doll inside right.  Trim the seam.

Step 14

Step 14- Turn the doll inside right, and use your fingers to reach inside and poke all of the corners out.

Step15

Step 15- Turn the raw edges inward so that they are about even with the finished seam.  Depending on your level of comfort, you could press or pin this spot.  If you are comfortable holding it and sewing, just hold it in place and sew.  This time sew as close to the folded edge as you can while still catching both sides. 

Step 16

Step 16- The seam will look like this in that spot. 

Step 17

Step 17-Stretch the corner as far as you can and hold it in your fist. 

Step 18

Step 18- Extend your pointer finger and wrap the fabric around with the corner facing down.  Continue that corner around and pull out your finger.  Start pushing the corner through the hole left by your finger.  You are tying a simple knot.  This is not as easy as it looks.  You have to really stretch the fabric to make the knot.

Step 19

Step 19- Pull the corner through carefully.

Step 20

Step 20- Continue to stretch and work the knot back and forth until it is tight and small as shown.  Repeat steps 17-20 for each corner. 

Step 21

Step 21.  Cut the end off of an old longsleeved shirt for a hat.  Tie a knot on the raw edge.

Tags: DIY Waldorf Inspired Rag Doll, Reuse, reduce, recycle, sewing, tutorial, doll, toy, sewing