My favourite toy when I was a child was a rag doll that my Mum made me for my 4th birthday. She came complete with a wardrobe of clothing made to match some of my own dresses. Pollyanna was very well-loved and I have still have her today. There is something wonderful about rag dolls – they are a lot more cuddly and have more personality than the plastic dolls available today. When Sarah was young, I loved making clothing, accessories and bedding for her dolls. If you love rag dolls as much as we do, you will love My Rag Doll, 11 Adorable Rag Dolls to Sew with Clothes and Accessories by Corinne Crasbercu. It is a sweet book that includes sewing patterns to make up a delightful collection of rag dolls, all with their own fun clothing and accessories.
Corinne Crasbercu is the author of Everything Patchwork (that we reviewed here), is a designer and stylist for Marie Claire Idees (one of our favourite crafty magazines), and has worked as a costumer for film and television. She has is an experienced dressmaker and has assembled a lovely collection of rag dolls. They are all made from the same basic doll pattern – the hair and facial expressions change, and the size gets enlarged to make a wonderful collection of dolls – each with their own distinct personality.
What we love most about the book, apart from the delightful photography and styling, is the wide range of clothes and accessories that you can create. The ballerina doll has a tutu, underskirt, tiara, leotard, shrug, ballet slippers, and barrel bag. The attention to detail is amazing.
The Bedtime Doll has a nightdress, dressing gown, teddy, mules, and cushion. The dolls are so enchanting and would be perfect to encourage imaginative play in young children.
The book comes complete with pattern pieces to make all the dolls and accessories. Most of the pattern pieces need to be enlarged and seam allowances do need to be added as instructed. The directions are clear but there are no step by step photos or diagrams. The book is best suited to intermediate sewers with some experience. The good thing about making rag dolls and their clothing is that they can be made from recycled fabrics – such as old sheets, clothing, etc. You can add scraps of lace and trim, buttons and other embellishments to make each outfit unique. I was inspired to make a Kimono dress from the book. The instructions were easy to follow and I sewed the kimono in under an hour.
Thanks to Stitch Craft Create, one lucky A Spoonful of Sugar reader will win a copy of My Rag Doll by Corinne Crasbercu. To enter, log in to the rafflecopter giveaway box below and do as many of the giveaway steps as you wish. The giveaway is open worldwide and Stitch Craft Create will ship the prize to the winner. The book is due to hit the shelves in May. Giveaway ends 24 April 2014 at midnight, Perth time. Winner will be announced here and by email on April 25. Good Luck!
Check out the other stops on the Blog Book Tour to see more of the book and for more opportunities to win.
Sun 13th– Kestrel Makes
Mon 14th – Dolls and Daydreams
Tue 15th – Follow the White Bunny
Wed 16th – Whipstitch
Thu 17th – A Spoonful of Sugar
Fri 18th – Feeling Stitchy
Sat 19th – House of Pinheiro
Sun 20th – A Stitching Odyssey
Mon 21st – iCandy Handmade
Tue 22nd – Shimelle
Wed 23rd – Heather Bailey
Thu 24th – Emma Lamb
Disclaimer: Thanks to Stitch Craft Create for supplying us with a review copy of the book. All opinions are our own.
I loved making dolls clothes when I was little, mainly for my Barbie doll. I am now hoping to have a little granddaughter one day to make dolls and dolls clothes for her. This book looks delightful and I’d love to own a copy!
It is such a gorgeous book! I used to make clothing for my Barbie doll too 🙂
I would make them for my two little girls.
My Grandaughter would love one of these and since I am now teaching her to use the sewing machine she might even be able to make one of her own.
Teaching your grand daughter to sew must be so much fun!
I would make a rag doll for expected little sister. <3
I would make a rag doll for expected little sister.
I have four nieces all of whom would love a rag doll!
I have four nieces. All of whom would love a rag doll!
Oh, one grand daughter in particular will love a rag doll, especially the Princess ballerina- what a great combination. Sienna will take her for walks in the doll pusher, tuck her into the doll cradle and take out the little bag of baby doll accessories Grandma has and give that rag doll a bottle and a dummy!
oh my this book is adorable,my youngest grand daughter would love these cute rag dolls,thankyou for having such a wonderful giveaway.xx
I am picking up sewing again after many years and I would love to make these rag dolls for my three girls
So sweet! I’d love to make one of these dolls for my 2 year old grand daughter. She would love to have clothes and accessories to play with as well. thanks for the chance to win!
I would make it for me. All the granddaughters think they are too big to play with dolls. I’m NOT….:)
I would love this book, when my daughter was a child I made her a rag doll she called Gladis. I ould love to make her another Gladisg
I would make 2 little rag dolls for 2 special little girls at church. I adore them and they always share a hug when we meet on Sunday!
My littlest would love this, love that you can make a whole wardrobe for your doll!
I would make a rag doll each for my beautiful grandchildren who live in the UK, especially as we see them rarely. They would be something very personal and special for them to cuddle and play with. Is there a granny doll in the book?? Such beautiful patterns.
I would make a rag doll for my mum, seeing as she always made me beautiful things when i was a child. I could repay the favour a little!
First I would make dolls for my two 4yo granddaughter’s. they would love them with all the extra things to make. Then I’d have to make some to leave at my house. Also have some other sweet little girls that would love some! What fun!
These are cute dolls! I’d make one for myself:) and then my little girl might want one too:)
Would love to make a doll for my niece!
I would love to make one for my cousin’s new baby girl.
My daughters, niece and friends with kids!
I have a granddaughter I would love to make these cute dolls for!
I would make several new lil’ Friend’s for my Grangirlie…clothes & shoes & cute lil’ accessories. She will be delighted!! 🙂
I would make rag dolls for my 2 daughters and for myself. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
I have this dream to have a room in my future house (big 🙂 one) full of of dolls, flowers and other crafty things! I would gather my friends and neighbours with their children and let them play there. Adults to feel children again. Children to be guides for adults in this wonderful world of happiness! Just a small dream 🙂
Myself! I have a small collection of beautiful dolls and she’d be added to the family.
I would like to make it for my daughter!
For me ^^ Everything is sweet and sweet things are for me *lach* Or a little boy for my Son for his third birthday perhaps?
Greetings,
Sari
I don’t have anyone specific to make one for but I want to make one. Like others my sewing journey started by making clothes for my own dolls on my gran’s treadle singer.
My niece Paige needs a companion, I think, and one of these sweet dolls would be lovely company.
I would like to make them for my daughter!
I would love to make ragdolls for my granddaughters of whom I have I have 4 who just love them. Thank you for making my life more interesting. Have a lovely holiday xxx
Ciao, mi piacerebbe fare queste stupende bambole per le mie nipotine, quando mia figlia era piccola le ho fatto una bambolina (molto semplice) che ancora ha e tiene per ricordo!
Gorgeous book! I’d make a doll for my baby niece, with dresses to match the dresses I make her.
This is a gorgeous book. I have a delightful 3 year old niece who would love a doll made with a wardrobe of these clothes. x
I would make a rag doll for myself! 😀 Always wanted to have one, but always had the half-plastic boring ones, with only one cloth.
I would love to make rag dolls for all of my nieces and nephews.
I would love to make a little ragdoll for my 3 year old princess xx
I know it sounds weird, but I’d make a doll for me. One that has my skin colour, my type of hair. My African features. All the black dolls I saw as I was growing up were basically the same white doll, dipped in brown paint and had straight hair. It confused me as a child. I had a rag doll that I loved and my Granny made me all kinds of adorable softies. I like the look of this book and would definitely customise the patterns to further represent other skin colours and other ethic features. Sorry didn’t intend post to be so controversial. It’s a craft blog – not a political soapbox ! Lol !
I meant ‘ethnic’ not ethic ! Oops 🙂
I would love to have a book wih instructions. I love sewing for kids. 🙂
Thank you for opening this worldwide, it is rare.
Would love to make a doll for my nieces!!!
Any girl would love to have a doll like this. What a lovely book!
I love making dolls & softies for my 2 girls. The wonderful thing about making your own dolls is that you can customise them.
Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
I love making dolls for my children and grandchildren. Its an art that is therapeutic and wonderful to pass to our next generation
I would make rag dolls for my two little nieces.
My daughter would just love a Ragdoll for my youngest Granddaughter. So she would be the lucky recipient of my work of Love~
Thank~You,
Nancy
I would make one for my daughter and one for her best friend. I would probably also end up making one for my best friends little girls too. I love to sew and I love making dolls that will be loved and dragged around and cuddled until they are dirty!
I would make rag dolls for my each of my three granddaughters.
Would love to make the sweet dolls for my grandbabies! Thanks for the chance and Happy Easter:)
I have been searching for a really good rag doll book….this fits the bill!
…..a boy doll for my grandson!
Are these cuties washable?
Hi Pat – I checked the book and it doesn’t mention washing instructions. I had rag dolls as child and mine were always hand washed in a mild soap and dried flat in the shade.
Hi there,
Thanks for this giveaway, this book seems to be really great.
I take this opportunity to thank you for all that you share on your blog, it is one of my favorite since a long long time.
Hi from Paris – France.
I love rag dolls. Reminds me of the one I had when I was little.
Wow – a beautiful book – that really gives what it intends to – Many patterns for rag dolls – Love it!!
My grand daughter, who loves dolls. Rag dolls are at the top of her favorite list. and I just love that these have the cutest as accessories.
My daughter is a nurse in a Children’s Hospital, I think I would be making dolls for some of the patients!
I would love to make this rag doll for any little girl who needs (someone) to (((love)))…. you cannot snuggle and cuddle up with a hard plastic doll very comfortably. <3
I was very young when I learned how to sew. I think the first things I had ever sewn was doll clothes. My mother taught me how to sew just as her mother had taught her. I had a rag doll with pitch black hair and a red dress… she always reminded me of snow white.
I love the dolls in this book. The designs and wardrobe look so well thought out! I would make one for my little niece.
I would make these for my niece. My grand mother made rag dolls for my sister and I as kids and wejust loved them. We had matching dresses, I remember her using old clothing and even pieces of burlap.
I would make a rag doll for my daughter
Just whats needed for my three great nieces. Thanks for the chance.
Isabella – my great niece!
I would make for my niece and my best friends little girl – thanks!
Ohhh! That book looks so nice! I’d love to make dolls for myself (I never finished growing up) and for my nieces and eventually my grandchildren
Greetings from Costa Rica!
I would make a rag doll for myself but I might give it away to some sweet young child too.
I would make one for my granddaughter and then make more for the Rainbow House residents where abused children go when then are removed from their homes
I would make one for my niece. Her birthday is coming up and I will have time to make her a doll and a few outfits.
I would start with a doll for my 4 year old granddaughter. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
This book looks AWESOME! I’d love to make a few of them!
Forgot to answer question. I have two nephews that I’d make them for.
Myself. I never had the joy of owning a rag doll as a child.
The doll is so cute. I would make one for my 4 year old granddaughter.
I would like to make the rag doll and all the trimmings for my granddaughter for Christmas. My husband is planning to make a wooden high chair and cradle, so we need to get busy now to get it all done. Thanks for such a lovely giveaway.
I like all 🙂
If I had girls, I would definitely make these dolls. They are gorgeous!
I would love to make one for myself. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve had my own doll!
I would make a rag doll for my friend, Linda who could do with a cuddly companion right now. Probably for me as well. I love making dolls.
I certainly would make one for my niece and my grand-daughter too! Every girl needs a doll! Thanks for the chance. Hugs, Susie
My two daughters would adore little rag dolls! Hope I win this one.
My two daughters would adore little rag dolls!
I would love to make a doll for my daughter!
For my two wonderful daughter’s, of course. One is 9 and the other 2 but they both would adore these rag dolls!
These are absolutely adorable! <3 I'm not sure who exactly I'd make a doll for, but I love making doll dresses for friends and family.
I would make them for my friend’s sweet daughter!
Well there would be one for my niece, one for my friends daughter and then I bet my own daughter would put in her order complete with wardrobe and accessories!!
How gorgeous! I would love to make one of these beautiful dolls for myself – I had one as a child and never got over its gradual dissolution brought about by age. I also have little girls in my life who would love their own! Thank you for this opportunity. 🙂
I have three nieces, and every one of them would love a rag doll made by me.
Thanks
Grandkids. Or daughters. Or myself. 🙂
Me. Or nieces. Or let’s be honest I’d give the book to my mom and request SHE make them. 😉
I would love to make dolls with my girls.
Minha neta fez dois anos em 18/04 e gostaria de ganhar para fazer suas proprias bonecas.Obrigada tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
My grandaughter, she would love one
My niece is about to turn 1 and she loves dolls. Looking for a doll for her birthday was not successful so I thought I’d make one. This book looks perfect! As she gets older, I could give her more outfits and accessories.
I would make them for my 2 daughters and, time permitting, 6 nieces! I imagine it could become highly addictive!!
I would love to make one (or more) of these doll for my granddaughter. She loves to play with dolls, and these are adorable!
I would love this book! I purchased Corinne’s book ‘Poupees en chiffon’ years ago with the intention of making a best friend for my little girl (she was only a baby at the time). I have tried translating it though (its all in French) and I just cant get it right. An English version would be so helpful!!!
I need to sew one of these dolls and their cute little outfits! Unfortunately there are no little girls in my family, but I’m sure my best friend’s daughter would love one 🙂
My niece…although I’m sure her kitten will commandeer it as soon as its left alone in her room. That kitten attaches itself to everything!
I would make a doll with my daughter. And one for my niece. And two for my other nieces……. OK, I’m convinced I need this book. Thanks for the great giveaway.
As I only have little boys to craft for at the moment, I would make some of these gorgeous dolls to donate to the children’s hospital and for fun Toy Society drops (where a toy is left somewhere in public for one lucky child to make a magical find!). Both very rewarding causes and a great excuse for me to craft wonderful toys and dolls I wouldn’t get to otherwise 🙂
Thanks for the chance, this looks like a simply gorgeous book!
We made a toy for a Toy Society drop a few years ago – so much fun … and such a great cause.
oh so beautiful i love it
I would love to make one for my niece and one for the kid I take care off sometimes 🙂
I love the dolls, but I especially love the clothes and accessories. I’m 61, and I still play with dolls, so I can imagine the fun my little great nieces would have with these dolls and all of their clothes and shoes and good stuff!
I’d make a doll for my youngest niece, who is about to turn two! I think she’d love carrying it around and changing its clothes (actually, having Mom or one of her adoring brothers do the work).
My little niece Stella, she has 2 older brothers and needs more dolls to play with instead of cars and trucks 🙂
I would make the dolls for my nieces, and then use it to teach them to sew 🙂
I’d love to make a doll for both my kids, and probably also my nieces and nephew.
I’d make dolls for all the kids I know!
I have three boys but hopefully one day I will have grand daughters. I would make the dolls for them. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
Me gustaría hacer estas preciosas muñecas para mi hija Paula… ¡y alguna para mí!
I would make a rag doll for my daughter. I would maybe even make one for myself. 🙂 they look so cute!
My two daughters would be very glad to have a book like this. The elder one would also help to sew the dolls and accessories. I assume that we would make a whole family of rag dolls 🙂
I would love to make rag dolls for my kiddos and as birthday gifts for their friends.
I would love to make the dolls for Grand childres and my great neice but,I can’t find the dam book.
Is this for sale in the US if so where?
Hi Lorraine
The book is available from The Book Depositiory which has free worldwide shipping:
http://www.bookdepository.com/My-Rag-Doll-Corinne-Crasbercu/9781446304846/?a_aid=aspoonfullofsugar
It is also available from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Rag-Doll-Clothes-Accessories/dp/1446304841
You could ask your local bookseller to order it in for you.
Hope you manage to track down a copy. It really is a lovely book.
I bought the book yesterday at a JoAnn’s store. I love it and have read it all the way through and can’t wait to make the sweet dolls and their oh so pretty clothes. I do have a question – I did not read anywhere in the book that I need to enlarge the patterns – yet I did read in a comment on the book that it was difficult to copy patterns and enlarge them on a home copier. Do I have to enlarge the patterns and if so by how much? Please email me the answer as I do not want to start making them until I know. This questions pertains to the dolls and their clothes. Thank you so much for your help. It is really a gorgeous book; one that I can look at over and over! I love dolls!!!
Hi Maryann – If you read the instructions, it tells you which pattern pieces need to be enlarged and by how mcuh. I have the UK edition though and it may be different in the US version.
I am stunned by this recommendation. The book is truly darling but the instructions are by nearly every experienced sewist lacking at best. The patterns are often mislabeled, the patterns focus on the cuteness of the doll rather than on the techniques to create them. Often only the front of the doll is shown, rarely are there step by step instructions and the text itself is not broken down all the well. I keep thinking that some of the problem is a translation error (several) but there seems to have been no effort to correct these things even in subsequent issues of the book. There are a few websites who have taken opportunity to put together additional tutorials to break down the processes appropriately but they come at a cost. That is frustrating when we already purchased the book and it presents itself as adequate to make these dolls ourselves. Doing so requires us to draw upon resources outside of the book, including our own expertise and many years of sewing and our ability to trouble shoot problems the book and some of the patterns present rather than solve. These are in truth among the POOREST of instructions to any craft book I have ever seen. I am not alone. Most every review warns of this. I found the overwhelming discouraging news after trying to find adequate tutorials to help me make sense of the instructions. There are many much easier ways to craft dolls. There are absolutely better ways to present instructions and photographs to assist.