Here’s another fun project you can cut and sew without needing to buy doll clothes patterns.
Look in your closet for cotton knit fabric you can recycle and reuse to make your doll a rag scarf. All you need are two or three old t-shirts in coordinating colors. If you’re creative, you can use white t-shirts and dye them before cutting the strips.
Be brave with your color choices. Experiment. Mix and match until you find striking combinations, like sky blue, aqua and teal …or maroon, apple red and pumpkin.
The ‘rag boa’ shown in the Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin with Stacie Stukin inspired our doll’s scarf. We converted their human-sized project to a doll-sized scarf. We made the finished scarf 27 inches long for one of our 18-inch tall American Girl dolls, Julie.
To begin, cut strips of cotton knit in three graduated widths. For example, cut strips 3 inches, 2 inches and 1 inch wide, using a different color for each width. Make each strip 27 inches long, or as long as the finished scarf. These important dimensions are the only doll clothes patterns you’ll need to complete this project.
Please note: It’s important to cut the length of the scarf (the 27 inches) on the straight of the grain of the knit. This is the direction of the stretch.
Stack the colored strips as shown in the photo, using the width of each strip as a guideline. For example, from the bottom to the top, layer the strips by the width. (1-2-3-2-1) Start with the orange strip that’s 1 inch wide, then add the brown 2 inch strip, then the light blue 3 inch strip, add another brown 2 inch strip and finish on top with another orange 1 inch strip. Sew the stack of five colored strips together lengthwise, with your stitches running down the center of the strips.
Finish by making parallel cuts in the stack of strips about one-half inch apart, the entire length of the scarf, to create the rag effect. To avoid cutting through the center of the scarf, stop cutting about one-eight inch before you reach the center seam line.
Wash and dry the scarf to get it to curl. Pull each small piece from the end, to make the knit roll up and curl more. Then, fluff the scarf with your fingers until it looks full. Now your 18-inch doll has a cute and colorful scarf.
The next step is to select some great doll clothes patterns, and give the rest of the old clothes in your closet a new life. Your dolls can have an inexpensive, fashionable wardrobe from your recycled hand-me-downs. And, you can help save the earth. Cool, dude.
Here’s a close-up, so you can see it better.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:49 am
LOVE THIS! I can’t wait to do it with my girls this weekend.
Thanks!
March 30th, 2009 at 1:51 am
love it! I learned how to sew from my mom and we thought this would be a good recycled project for my american girl doll.
April 10th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Hello!
I really like your how to as well as the one about the christmas pixie. I was wondering if I could translate it in French and add it to my list of how to as explained in my french post.
Of course, your website would be quoted and there would be a link!
Thank you,
Perrine
April 11th, 2009 at 2:58 am
Perrine,
I’m pleased you like the project. Yes, you may translate it into French and add it to your list. Thank you for providing a link back to my blog.
Peggy
May 19th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Totaly cool! Thanks I love it!
May 20th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Katiebeth,
I’m looking forward to seeing your ‘rag scarf’ video. Please send me the YouTube link when you’re finished.
Peggy
July 31st, 2009 at 8:48 am
I tried making these three times and cannot get the fabric to curl. Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?
July 31st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Raequel,
To get the scarf to curl, you need to wash it and dry it in the dryer when you’re finished. Then gently pull on the strips and fluff it.
Also, you should be using 100% cotton fabric. I don’t think synthetics (like polyester) fray as well.
Hope that helps.
Peggy
November 11th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I have made dolls clothes for my daughter and my granddaughter but until I saw your site I had never thought of accessories.This Christmas my little granddaughter has two dolls with stacks of clothes but also lots of other bits that I am sure she will love. The scarf, head bands, hobo bag, belts, necklaces all in toning colours. You have a wonderful site with fantastic ideas that inspire the creativity in others. the rule was what would I like to wear with this dress or outfit and then off I went. We will be seeing our little girl soon and I will spend some time teaching her to make scarves and other simple things for h er dolls as well.
Thank you so much
November 30th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Wow, this is really cute! I love making doll clothes and am always happy to find a new project!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Also Raequel, to get it to curl, make sure you are cutting the fabric length in the correct direction. Pull on the fabric, the fabric should should stretch the width of the scarf, not the length. Hope this helps.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I have a question about the curl too. In general, when you cut “with the straight grain of the knit”, is that usually vertical cuts on a normal tshirt, or horizontal? I am thinking vertical, but I wasn’t sure.
Thanks! What a cute idea!
February 12th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Cyndy,
The grain on a typical t-shirt runs top to bottom. The tiny strips you cut at the end of the project need to be cut parallel to the grain.
So, when you cut the 27 inch long strips to begin the project, cut side-to-side across the t-shirt.
Then when you make the parallel cuts “in the stack of strips about one-half inch apart,” those little strips will be cut along the grain of the fabric. They will curl when pulled lengthwise.
Peggy
February 13th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Thanks Peggy. I just love this idea. I have been experimenting, and I don’t have it quite right yet. I will try the way you say.
Another problem I have is the little strips stay separated, kind of flat, in some areas after washing and drying. Maybe cutting the other way will help.
Thanks for your response!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:37 am
This rag scarf is adorable!! Thank you so much for translating it into doll size and sharing your creativity!