Polly Doll Accessories Tutorial

The Polly Doll is one of our best-selling rag doll patterns and a favourite beginner sewing project for makers who are new to cloth doll making. Available as a standalone pattern or included in our Rag Doll Sewing E-Book and paperback guide, Polly is designed to help you build confidence while creating a beautiful handmade doll.

Simple, rewarding, and fun to sew, this rag doll tutorial introduces the essential techniques used in doll making. The skills you learn while sewing Polly can be applied again and again as you progress to more advanced rag doll and soft toy projects.

Find the Polly Doll (stand alone) pattern HERE or as part of our Ebook HERE

Tutorial for the Polly Doll Accessories Pattern:

If you haven't downloaded the FREE PATTERN already, you can find it HERE

These four extra accessories - in addition to the clothing patterns already included with the Polly Doll - make for interchangeable outfit sets that can take dolly into all kinds of characters and stories!

They're simple, quick projects that can be sewn from fabric scraps, outgrown clothing, or other textile items you've tucked away in your stash.

The collection includes:

• A sweet hat with ears
• A twirly full skirt
• A handy tote bag
• Adorable Mary Jane-style shoes

These tiny projects are perfect for an afternoon of relaxed sewing and are a wonderful way to add even more personality to your Polly Doll. They're also ideal for sewing with children or grandchildren, as each accessory comes together quickly and uses only small amounts of fabric.

 

Let's begin...!

You'll need the following fabric scraps:

• piece of knit fabric
• piece of cotton/woven fabric
• good quality felt (or soft leather)
• sewing thread
• small piece of elastic for skirt

You'll need the following supplies/tools:

• sewing machine
• fabric scissors
• small embroidery scissors
• hand sewing needle
• bodkin or safety pin
• little buttons for shoes (optional) 

The Hat:

The hat is made from a STRETCH or KNIT fabric but make sure it's not too stretchy! It will be too hard to sew. Something like a rugby knit or thick cotton or fleece fabric is best. Here, I have up-cycled an old hoody that I no longer wear for this hat and scarf.

Step 1. Find the direction of the stretch by pulling the fabric out. You will want to line up the DIRECTION OF STRETCH to go  the hat. Cut out the fabric as per dimensions written on pattern. Step 2. Fold the cut piece in half (stretch going across) with right sides together. Straight stitch along the open long side with a 1/4 inch seam. Step 3. Turn the sewn piece right side out. 'Flip' fold up the bottom hem to align with the top. The seams align & are at the centre back. Step 4. Using the template, trace the top curve along the raw edge. Stitch along this line through all FOUR layers.

Step 5. Trim back the seam along the stitch line. Step 6. Turn the hat right side out. Push the corners out with a chopstick or end of a paintbrush. Step 7. Use the template again to trace the ear stitching placement. (Use a thermal pen so you can iron off the marks after stitching). Stitch the ears. Step 8. Place on the doll's head and roll up the hem to form the band.

 

Now to make the shoes! They are best made from wool felt (or other good quality craft felt). Little buttons or bows, complete the sweet look.

Step 1. Cut 2 fronts & 2 backs in felt. Use small scissors to cut the little centres out. Step 2. Place the Fronts onto the Backs (in pairs).With a small straight stitch, seam the curve 1/4 Inch. With small scissors, trim seam off close to the stitch line. Step 3. Flip shoes out the right way & carefully steam press. Step 4. Hand sew the strap in place once on the doll's leg. Finish with a small button (children over 4+) or a ribbon bow.

 

Ready for the skirt? The best fabric is a light or mid-weight woven cotton. If you choose the same fabric as the doll's body, the skirt becomes a 'dress' when it's on the doll. You could also sew a lace trim on top of the hem for an extra heirloom look.

Step 1. Cut out your skirt piece to the measurements on the pattern. Step 2. Fold skirt in half, right sides together, and seam the short end with a straight stitch (back stitch beginning & end of seam). Step 3. Press the joining seam OPEN. Then press a 1.5cm CASING seam along the top edge. Press a 1cm HEM on the bottom edge. Straight stitch the casing leaving a small opening. Zig Zag the hem. Step 4. Measure the elastic around the doll's waist. With your bodkin, thread the elastic through the casing where the opening is. Knot or hand stitch the 2 ends of elastic to join. Close the opening in the casing seam.

 

And to make Polly TOTE-ally cute...Finish your doll outfit with this cute tote you can make in minutes. You'll just need some felt fabric or something similar that has good structure and that won't fray on the edges. Soft leather would work well if it's thin and easy to sew.

Step 1. Cut out the strap and bag pieces. Fold strap lengthways and stitch along the edge neatly. Fold the bag in half (right sides together) and stitch a seam on each side. Trim back the corners of the seam at the bottom. Step 2. Hand sew the strap ends to the inside bag seams. Make sure the top of the seam is open Step 3. Flip the bag to the right out and steam press Step 4. Fill bag with pretty things!