5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring book - beautiful dolls with cute outfits

D. · 1 September 2014

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I have been surprised by some of the reviews of this book and wondered if they applied to a previous edition. I have found this to be a fabulous book, which has the prettiest rag dolls I have found - albeit not the simplest to make. Additionally, it gives the patterns for really cute outfits whereas in almost all the other rag doll books I own, the clothes are fairly basic and not that exciting. All the patterns are included in the book, along with lots of very clear colour photographs. It is true that the patterns do need to be enlarged by 140%, but this is less of a problem nowadays given that so many printers, even basic ones, have a photocopy facility. Alternatively, if you sew them at the given size, they should fit many of your children's existing mid-size dolls quite well. The author clearly has a flair for design and combining fabrics and anyone who enjoys sewing will be inspired by the ideas. I agree that the instructions are pretty basic and not always in the right order! Having said that, I am a novice and have been making the clothes without any major problems, but you should definitely read all the instructions for the outfit you are making all the way through BEFORE you start (and not go not step by step), making sure you are totally clear before you begin. If some thing seems wrong, do not hesitate to change the order as it sometimes seems like the author forgot something and then simply added it at the end! The dolls themselves are much harder to make than the clothes and if you are a beginner, you will need help. You may also need more than one attempt to make a professional looking doll - so you might want to use less expensive materials for your first attempt(s). In summary there are books with simpler patterns, but the dolls don't look as good so despite some flaws I have given this book 5 stars. It is certainly the best rag doll book I have found by quite a long way.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!!!

o. · 24 March 2015

I bought this book some time ago and absolutely love it! I have made at least 10 dolls so far and plan on making loads more.Yes i agree that the patterns can be difficult to follow but once you have made one, you learn from your mistakes and your next doll is always loads better than the previous one. The fact that the main doll pattern is the same for every doll, means that after making 10 dolls i am now an expert at making the doll and enjoy trying a new outfit. Sometimes the outfits don't quite fit the doll, maybe because i stuff my doll too much or my material is different but i can easily adjust them and it works out fine.I have never made a 3d rag doll before this book but am an experienced sewer, so i wouldn't say this book is for a complete beginner when it comes to sewing but for a beginner in dolls it is a fine book to start.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Book

L. · 8 August 2014

I will agree with what some have said - the instructions are not as clear as I would have liked. I would have found a few "how-to" photographs of the steps in making and sewing on the hair an enormous help, but I love the variety of clothes patterns included in the book. I've just finished my first rag doll and intend to make more as I bought the book to make a doll for my niece but can't bear to part with my first rag doll. Enlarging the patterns to 140% makes a doll of around 15 inches, but for my next doll I'm going to try using the pattern pieces at the original size and make a smaller doll, as all the patterns are drawn to the same scale there should be no problems using them straight from the book.

4.0 out of 5 stars I think others are being a bit harsh...

K. · 24 May 2014

A lot of other reviews are saying that this book is useless, due to the fact that the instructions tell you to 'enlarge the pattern by 140 or 120%', and this cannot be done without a photocopier. Whilst this would no doubt be the easiest way, it is possible to scale up (or down) a pattern by hand - I have done it several times before to good effect. My advice to any prospective buyer of this book would be to accept that, at the end of the day, you are making a toy - as such, it does not need to be to the exact scale that the book asks for. One thing I love about making things is that you can personalise patterns, to make the product unique. Buy this book, and try adding a few centimetres (as many as you wish to make the pattern the size you want) around all edges. If all pieces look to scale in pattern form, chances are, they'll make up correctly. I know this sounds a bit haphazard, but I have made MANY dolls before in this way, and they all look like perfect replicas of the "full size" model. And I should say, I am by no means an experienced doll maker - I am self taught, and truly believe that all you need to make something beautiful is some patience and perseverance.IF you really can't bear the thought of scaling the pattern by hand, then perhaps you could try scanning the pattern pages into your computer, and cropping the image around ONE pattern piece - i.e. an arm. Crop all other pattern pieces from the page with your computer software, and scale up the single piece on your computer. Will take a lot of effort I suppose, but then, if this is your hobby, I don't believe that it should be rushed - it should be a labour of love.As for others saying that the instructions are difficult to follow, I don't think they are at all. Yes, some of them require slightly more imagination in order to see how it will all fit together, but then I have bought patterns from Butterick, Vogue etc. and some of them follow similar concepts. And the patterns definitely make more sense if you read them whilst making the doll - they won't make much sense at all if you're flicking through as thought it were a magazine. If you do get stuck, the internet is a wonderful thing...! You can always improvise a bit through getting tips elsewhere.At the end of the day, this book is beautiful. The little dolls have lots of character, and the outfits are lovely. Although some may find the concepts difficult to grasp, I would really urge people to persevere - for me, craft and hobbies shouldn't give you a 'quick fix', they should offer an exciting challenge. Even if the patterns do prove difficult to follow this book is a good starting point, to nurture ideas for your dollmaking ventures. But I love it.

5.0 out of 5 stars The clear and easy to follow instructions

C.C. · 3 July 2023

It's a pity that the patterns aren't on separate paper. I know it would cost a little more but worth it. I love the choices of toys though.

AMAZING!!!

E.C. · 1 March 2022

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } The directions are a bit confusing,... could be a bit more helpful especially with the hair. But she turned out CUTE!!!! Now to make outfits!

Un libro sorprendente

A.G.E. · 20 May 2019

Es un libro de verdad maravilloso lleno de patrones, muy fácil de seguir , llego en excelente estado. .te gusta coser ? .. bueno pues este libro no te puede faltar ..Precioso

Une mine de patrons pour poupées chiffon

G.V. · 11 June 2021

Acheté par pure gourmandise , je ne sais pas si j' aurai du temps pour tout essayer , mais les costumes sont jolis et les explications claires.

Fina dockor.

B. · 13 April 2023

Så söta dockor. Inspirerande bok.

Moja bardzo bardzo biała szmaciana lalka.

B. · 21 December 2024

Książka nie ma zdjęć krok po kroku do stworzenia lalek lub ich garderoby, ma tylko opisy procesu szycia, co może być ok dla kogoś doświadczonego, ale ktoś doświadczony raczej nie kupi książki o szyciu najprostszych lalek. Książka absolutnie nie nadaję sie na 1 książkę w tym temacie. Nie ma ona też linków do filmów, gdzie można by zobaczyć jak stworzyć te lalki. Wykroje są średniej jakości i zdaje się, że nie sa do lalek na zdjęciach (mają w innych miejscach szwy)..No i pomimo że sama jestem biała jak śnieg, to drażniło mnie, że w tej książce nie ma żadnych lalek, które miałyby jakiś kolor który nie jest kolorem waniliowym.Ogólnie książki nie polecam.. jedynymi plusami jest ładna okładka oraz jej jakość.