Iris Doll
Learn to sew a large, soft rag doll with our downloadable pattern and step-by-step video tutorial. It’s ideal as a handmade Christmas gift. The hair is made with cotton yarn, and you can personalize the doll’s clothes with patterns from Lulu Ferris, your online sewing academy.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
Sew Iris, a large, soft rag doll designed for generous hugs. The finished doll is approximately 62 cm long, with the option to use matching fabric or contrasting front and back panels.
Iris has a stuffed fabric body, cotton-yarn hair and a painted face with optional stitched eyebrows. The samples show fuller and simpler hair arrangements and adapted doll-size clothing.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Cut a symmetrical doll body with the pattern on the fold.
- Sew, clip and turn the curved body before adding the stuffing.
- Close the turning opening by machine or with an invisible hand stitch.
- Prepare and securely attach yarn strands for the hair.
- Arrange the hair for buns, pigtails or a side-swept style.
- Transfer the face template and add fabric-safe painted or stitched details.
Fabric and materials
The samples use woven poplin for the body, combining a solid front with a floral back. You can use the same suitable woven fabric on both sides instead.
You will also need stuffing, yarn for the hair and fabric-safe paint or markers for the face. Test face-marking tools on a scrap first to check for bleeding or unwanted marks.
Make it your own
Adjust the yarn amount, placement and weight for your chosen hairstyle. Thicker yarn is quicker to attach, while extra rows create fuller hair. Avoid adding so much that the head becomes too heavy.
Stitch the eyebrows with yarn or paint them. You can reposition the supplied face design or create another expression, then dress Iris with simple doll-size adaptations of suitable patterns.
Finished size
The completed Iris Doll measures approximately 62 cm long.
The video class includes the printable Iris Doll pattern, the featured face template and a doll-size halter garment pattern piece.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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