stitch a rag doll

1. Download the templates and print. Trace around the patterns, adding a 5mm seam allowance to each. Cut two body and four arms pieces from plain pink cotton. Pin the body pieces together and sew around the entire shape leaving a 5cm gap at one side for turning. Clip the curves and turn out using a blunt ended knitting needle if necessary.

2. Firmly stuff the body, beginning with the legs. Once they are well filled, sew a line of running stitch across the top of both thighs to enable the doll to sit properly. Stuff the head and torso. Ensure the neck is well filled or it may droop once the hair is added. Turn in the raw edges of the gap and slip stitch closed.

3. Pair up the arm pieces and sew together leaving a 4cm gap on one side of each for turning. Clip the curves, turn out and firmly stuff before closing the gap as before. Create a thumb on each hand by back stitching through the stuffed fabric.

4. Oversew the top of each arm to the centre of each shoulder, ensuring the thumbs are facing forward. Reinforce the join by sewing from arm to arm through the top of the torso with strong thread several times.

5. Use a chalk pencil to sketch features onto the face before embroidering with back and satin stitch. Make the front of the doll’s hairstyle in satin stitch using knitting wool and a darning needle. Fill the back of the head with long loops of wool sewn in rows. Secure each one with another small stitch before making the next loop.

6. Cut the loops to make hair. Create a layered style by holding the doll upside down and allowing the hair to fall naturally before trimming the ends level. Add decoration to the fringe by securing three folded lengths of yarn to the parting with small stitches. Plait the lengths, sweep across the brow and stitch the individual ends into the back of the head to hold in place.

Create a dress

1. Cut the bodice pieces from patterned fabric and lining as instructed on the pattern. Join the shoulder seams. Pin the lining to the bodice and sew around the back seams, neckline and arm openings. Clip the curves and turn right sides out by passing the back of the bodice through the shoulders. Sew the side seams of the bodice outer fabric together before stitching the lining seams to completely enclose all seams.

2. Cut a panel of contrast fabric 12cm x 42cm for the skirt, and two strips of bodice fabric 3cm x 50cm. Join the narrow pieces end to end and hem one long side. Gather up the other edge with running stitch to a width of 42cm.

3. Sew the frill to one long edge of the skirt panel. Fold the panel in half and sew down the back seam, leaving 2.5cm unsewn at the top end. Fold in the raw edges either side of this gap and hem.

4. Gather the top edge of the skirt panel with running stitch to a diameter of 20cm. Sew the top of the skirt to the bottom of the bodice outer fabric as you would a frill, matching the gap in the back seam to each side of the bodice back.

5. Turn under 5mm at the bottom of the lining and slip stitch over the inside of the gathers to hide the raw edges. Sew two small popper fastenings to each side of the bodice back.

Make a jacket

1. Cut the pieces from patterned fabric and lining as instructed on the pattern. Join the shoulder seams. Pin the lining to the jacket and sew around the front edges and neckline but not the arm openings. Clip the curves and turn right sides out.

2. Join the side seams of the jacket outer fabric together before stitching the lining, completely enclosing all raw edges. Keep the jacket facing with the lining side out.

3. Cut the sleeves and cuff linings as instructed on the pattern. For both sleeves, join the cuff lining to the end of the sleeve before folding the entire strip in half and sewing the long underarm seam. Fold the cuff lining back over the sleeve, wrong sides together, turn under a 5mm hem and slip stitch to the sleeve.