This sock rag doll is a great first doll for baby. Learn how to make the doll by using two different socks. You can sew this doll by hand or machine sew. It uses the same concept as the sock monkey but slightly different in the construction. It has a chubby appearance which makes it so lovable.
This doll is quick to make and can be made for both a boy or a girl. Just change up the face and sock for the sleeper. So cute you'll want to make more than one. Play around with the design of the doll. The face is hand embroidered but you can also use non-toxic washable fabric paint. Add some hair using yarn or felt. It's completely up to you but keep in mind safety first when making your baby's first doll.
Note: Use ¼ inch seam allowances. Finished project will vary in size depending on socks used. Adult size socks are recommended.
To create this sock rag doll, you will need the following:
Materials:
Adult Size Nude or Light Colored Socks (preferably tube socks)
Adult Size Pattern Socks
Embroidery Floss (Pink, Brown or Black)
Sewing Machine (Optional)
Matching sewing thread
Cotton Crochet Thread Size 5 (Beige or Ivory)
Scissors
Basic Sewing Supplies
Long Needle
Marking Pen
Polyester Fiberfill
Instructions:
Step 1: To begin making your sock rag doll, cut the nude or light colored sock as indicated using the PDF instructions here.
Step 2: Sew the pieces using an ¼ seam allowance. Remember to leave the top of the body open and the sides of the arms to allow for stuffing later on. Turn the pieces so right sides are visible. (See Photo A.)
Step 3: Stuff the legs and body up to where the neck will be for the doll. Using a running stitch, gather the neck, pull tight and secure. (See Photos B and C.)
Step 4: Stuff the head to desired firmness. Gather and stitch close. (See Photos D and E.)
Step 5: Stuff the arms and sew the openings closed. Your doll should now look like this. (See Photo F.)
Step 6: Grab the doll body and mark two points where the dolls arms will be attached on both sides about ½ inch apart. (See Photo G.) Mark the arms as well making certain that the seams are facing back and that the left and right arms are opposite each other.
Step 7: Cut 24 inch length of cotton crochet thread or quadruple sewing thread to same length. Thread long needle. Beginning on left side of body, insert needle into the second bottom mark and push through to other side where marked leaving a long end of thread trailing about 7 inches. Grab right arm with the seam facing back and insert needle starting from the bottom mark exiting out the top mark. Insert needle through the top mark on the right side of the body and push through to the left side. Do the same for the left arm as you did for the right but start with the top mark exiting out the bottom. (See Photo H.)
Step 8: Remove needle and grab both ends of thread, pull arms close to body and tie a knot twice to secure. Cut threads being careful not to cut too close to the knots. (See Photo I.)
Step 9: To make legs, thread a regular sewing needle and gather legs same as neck, pull tight and secure. (See Photo J.) This is what the completed doll looks like. (See Photo K.)
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Step 10: Your doll needs a face. Here is a template for two kinds of faces. After choosing a face, draw the face on the head using a marking pen. Using the backstitch beginning with the left eye, embroider the eyes using brown or black thread. Also embroider the mouth with pink thread.
Now on to the hat and sleeper…
Step 1: Cut the pattern sock as indicated using the PDF instructions here. (See Photo A.)
Step 2: Sew the legs of the sleeper closed. The heel of the sock is the back of the sleeper. (See Photo B.)
Step 3: Cut slits about 1 inch down on the sides of the sleeper for sewing in the sleeves. (See Photo C.)
Step 4: For the sleeves, fold down top edge about half an inch and sew across. Fold sleeves lengthwise and sew using a ¼ inch seam allowance. Turn sleeves right side out. (See Photo D.)
Step 5: Make sure the sleeper is wrong side out. Insert first sleeve into side slit of sleeper making sure that the seam is on the bottom, sew around the sleeve. Repeat for the other sleeve. (See Photos E and F.)
Step 6: For the hat, make sure the piece is facing wrong side out with the cuff on the bottom. Using a running stitch, gather around the circumference of the top of the hat, pull tight, and sew close. Turn right side out. (See Photos G and H.)
Step 7: Your sleeper and hat will look like this when completed. (See Photo I.) Now dress your sock rag doll.
