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Tutorial: How to Make a Pioneer Handmade Rag Doll

This is a fun craft that requires no sewing–a handmade rag doll.

My kiddos love picking out the fabric and creating stories for these no sew pioneer rag dolls once they have them made.

Many pioneer children had their own doll fashioned out of fabric scraps.

This Prairie Rag Doll is a fun and simple way to create a doll out of materials on hand, with no sewing that will be cherished by your children for a lifetime.

This no sew pioneer rag doll is one your kids will love!

This tutorial will show you step-by-step how easy it is.

Make this easy No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll with this quick and easy tutorial on how to make a no sew handmade prairie rag doll!

Use the measurements below to make a small Prairie Rag doll or increase the measurements and make the doll as large as you wish.

We used one yard for the no-sew rag doll pictured above.

 
No Sewing Required for this Handmade No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll
handmade rag dolls

Kiddos with their No-Sew Pioneer Handmade Rag Dolls

Make life more simple and teach the art of making a handmade rag doll.

It’s a lazy Sunday, and we’ve retreated into the world of simplicity.

It’s a quiet haven for once at our house, and in celebration, I dug out some fabric scraps, and we sat together making these easy handmade no sew pioneer Rag Dolls.

They need no sewing, and if you can tie a knot, you have the mad skills to do this.

We are huge Little House on the Prairie fans.

My children fell in love with the Little House on the Prairie books and television series.

My girls love to dream about being Laura Ingalls.

I thought the same about Laura Ingalls as a young girl.

She was a brave, funny girl who pioneered the way for women and gave us a glimpse of how different life was in the late 1800s.

These no sew dolls are what I imagine Caroline would have made with Mary, Laura, and Carrie.

They are softer than Laura’s corncob wrapped in a handkerchief doll she affectionately called “Susan”. 

Judie Fordham, "Pioneer Dolls,"

Make this No Sew Pioneer Ragdoll with Supplies You Already Have Around the House

Make this no sew Pioneer rag doll without having to wait for the corncobs to dry–and get right to the cuddling.

They require the materials the Ingalls family might have had on hand and are items you probably in your house now.

The great thing about these dolls is, like children, each one will be its own character.

Even if you used the same instructions and the same material, every doll will be one of a kind.

They are as individual as we are!

These instructions make either one girl or one boy handmade rag doll.

No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll Supplies:

 
Make this no sew Pioneer rag doll without having to wait for the corncobs to dry--and get right to the cuddling.

Simple Materials Make This Handmade Rag Doll

12-inch x 14-inch Handkerchief, or muslin or cotton material

cotton balls

yarn, or string

Scissors

Ruler

Fabric swatches cut into:

For the Bonnet:

1.75-inch x 9-inch fabric 

For the Dress/Apron:

7.75-inches x 5.5-inches–cut from the top center, a piece 2.25-inches x 1.75-inches. 

These no sew dolls are what I imagine Caroline would have made with Mary, Laura, and Carrie.

On each side of this “hole” find the center and then cut a 3-inch slit down from the top.

on each side of this  "square hole" a 3" slice 

No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll Instructions:

Fluff up your cotton balls (they will be the head)

Fluff up your cotton balls (they will be the head)

Place the large piece of white material (handkerchief), so the longest edge is on top.

Place the cotton balls you fluffed in the center of the cloth, about three inches from the edge.

Place the cotton balls you fluffed in the center of the cloth, about three inches from the edge.
Fold the top edge of the cloth over to cover the cotton, then gather together and tie with a piece of yarn or string.

(Note: Make certain the edge of the cloth is securely tied in)

To make the arms: Hold up the two short ends of the handkerchief.

One at a time, hold one end and gather the handkerchief ends and tie a know at close to the ends as possible (these will be the hands).

Fold the top edge of the cloth over to cover the cotton, then gather together and tie with a piece of yarn or string.

 

One at a time, hold one end and gather the handkerchief from the knot (hand) down to the head.

Tie near the head to form the arm.

Repeat on the other side.

One at a time, hold one end and gather the handkerchief from the knot (hand) down to the head.

 

It’s time to make the Apron Dress!

To begin, fold the centerpiece of the printed fabric down and press it with your fingers.

To begin, fold the centerpiece of the printed fabric down and press it with your fingers.

Note: If you are making a no sew Pioneer BOY ragdoll, skip to step ____ of the instructions for completion. If you are continuing to make a girl, continue with step 7 for dressing your doll.

 

Tuck the OUTSIDE tie under the doll’s arm,

Tuck the OUTSIDE tie under the doll's arm and tie it over the shoulder.

Now, pull the two ends together and tie it over the shoulder.

Now, pull the two ends together and tie it over the shoulder.

 

Repeat for the other arm

repeat tying over the other arm

Add the Bonnet

 

Add the bonnet by folding the 1.75-inches x9-inches piece of fabric over the doll’s head and tie around her neck with a piece of yarn or like a bandanna.

Add the bonnet by folding the 1.75-inches x9-inches piece of fabric over the doll's head and tie around her neck with a piece of yarn or like a bandanna.

Congratulations!

The No Sew Pioneer Ragdoll is NOW FINISHED!

Tutorial to Make a No-Sew Pioneer Doll

Give her a name and Enjoy!

Tutorial to Make a No-Sew Pioneer Doll. It takes just minutes to make this NO SEW Prairie Rag Doll with HOURS of fun! #nosew #craftsforkids #lauraingallsdoll #prairiedoll #ragdoll #pioneerdoll

Completing the boy Pioneer doll:

a rag doll tutorial
After completing the arms, tie a piece of yarn under the arms to form a waist.

a rag doll tutorial

Hold the fabric from the body out to the sides (like a snow angel) and find the center of the fabric.

a rag doll tutorial
Now make a small cut with a pair of scissors.

a rag doll tutorial

Tear the fabric up almost all the way to the waist (no worries, you can’t tear it too far!)

a rag doll tutorial

Next, make legs and trousers, use the printed fabric from Step 6. Tie the two outside ends around the back of the waist and trim off the excess.

Cut a small snip in the center of the fabric and tear up within an inch or so of the waist.

Tuck in the raw edges of the legs and trousers, and use yarn to tie at the ankles.

Make one more tie around the knees.

You may choose to cut off any excess fabric at the feet.

a rag doll tutorial
 Tie the rectangular piece of fabric around his neck to make a neckerchief!

YOU DID IT!

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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