Doll DIY and Crafting Booklist
The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Creativity, play, textiles and crafting, science and industry, recycling.
Looking for the best doll-making books to start your DIY crafting journey? Whether you’re a beginner wanting to create your first handmade doll or an experienced crafter seeking eco-friendly textile projects, this curated list features six outstanding books that provide patterns, techniques, and inspiration for sustainable doll making. Discover how to create diverse dolls with different skin tones, body types, and styles while reducing environmental impact through upcycling materials.
Why Making Your Own Dolls Matters for the Environment
In the West, clothes and other consumer goods—including toys—are a significant source of environmental damage, with impacts ranging from landfill accumulation to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Research shows that more than 7 billion toys end up in landfills each year, alongside 34 billion pounds of textile (clothing) waste. In an age where mass-produced toys and clothes are the norm and the distance between consumer and producer is vast, introducing children to the idea that they can make beautiful, long-lasting, and priceless treasures for themselves is crucially important.
Essential Doll-Making Books for Every Crafter
This book list starts readers off with an inspiring story about a special pair of dolls and the unique wardrobe their owners create. The rest of the selections are how-to books, providing young readers with the know-how and instructions for making their own special dolls and doll clothes. While the crafting books included are not specifically aimed exclusively at children, all of them are perfect choices for readers ready to try out some making for themselves.
Miri and Jade’s New Clothes introduces readers to two important ideas: first, that something you make yourself can be valuable and beautiful, and second, that new is not always better. Based on the true story of the two girls’ explorations of sewing and making, the story emphasizes that a slow process can be a reward in itself. Readers will be encouraged to learn age-old skills, like growing, knitting, and sewing, bringing them closer to the consumer goods they possess. The story is illustrated with lovely, hand-drawn artwork that helps the textiles shine and gives personality and life to the dolls.
How to Choose the Right Doll-Making Book for Your Skill Level
For readers who would like to follow in the footsteps of the two heroines of Miri and Jade’s New Clothes and sew a doll of their own, My Rag Doll and Doll Studio Boutique provide everything you need to know to get started. My Rag Doll includes patterns for the cloth doll and a range of other wardrobe items. For readers who already have a doll they’d like to make clothes for, Doll Studio Boutique offers patterns and instructions for basic garments and many variations, so that readers can mix and match their creations for the perfect wardrobe.
If needles and sewing machines seem a bit too much, Crochet You and My Pretty Brown Doll offer readers delightful patterns for crocheted dolls that embrace the diversity of skin tones, hair types, and body shapes. The patterns also include clothes to go with the dolls, including a lovely selection of outfits and accessories.
Sustainable Crafting Tips for Doll Makers
- Deconstructing old clothes and bags can yield buttons, zippers, sequins, beads, and all sorts of other notions.
- Cut up old and unwanted clothes, pillowcases, or sheets for fabric to make your doll and doll clothes.
- Old knit sweaters can be unraveled by cutting through a single stitch and pulling, allowing the yarn to be reused in a new knitting or crochet project.
- Charity stores are excellent for second-hand knitting, crochet needles, and sewing supplies.
Here are the six books that encourage readers to craft their own dolls:
Miri and Jade’s New Clothes
Written by Mical Rezoni and Assaf Rezoni
Illustrated by Chiara Civati
Ages: 6+ | 24 Pages
Publisher: Archway Publishing (2024) | ISBN-13: 978-1665764704
- Beautifully illustrated 24-page picture book
- Introduces sustainable textile concepts through an engaging narrative
- Features diverse characters with a positive environmental message
- Teaches the value of handmade items and creative problem-solving
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My Rag Doll : 11 Adorable Rag Dolls to Sew with Clothes and Accessories
Written by Corinne Crasbercu
Ages: 3+ | 144 Pages
Publisher: David & Charles (2014) | ISBN-13: 978-1446304846
- One versatile base doll pattern with variations
- 11 different themed doll designs (including ballerina, bedtime, and fairy dolls)
- Full-sized templates for dolls, clothes, and accessories
- Detailed instructions with clear illustrations
- Created by a professional fashion designer with haute couture experience
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Doll Studio Boutique: Sew a Wardrobe
Written by Erin Hentzel
Ages: 6+ | 112 Pages
Publisher: Funstitch Studio (2021) | ISBN-13: 978-1644030882
- 7 basic patterns with 46 variations (skirts, tops, totes, pants, dresses, pajamas)
- Designed for 14″-15″ dolls, fitting multiple popular brands
- Full-size patterns included, plus downloadable pattern options
- Most projects require just one fat quarter of fabric
- Mix-and-match wardrobe possibilities for all seasons, Vintage and modern style options included
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Crochet You!: Crochet Patterns for Dolls, Clothes and Accessories as Unique as You Are
Written by Nathalie Amiel
Ages: 6+ | 128 Pages
Publisher: David & Charles (2022) | ISBN-13: 978-1446309292
- Patterns for dolls with various skin tones and hair types/styles Inclusive designs including dolls with Down’s syndrome, vitiligo, and adaptive equipment
- Accessories like wheelchairs, assistance dogs, and medical devices
- Mix-and-match clothing patterns including underwear, t-shirts, pinafores, dungarees, pants, skirts, jumpers, and footwear
- Step-by-step instructions and photographs
- Color choices left to the crafter for maximum customization
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My Pretty Brown Doll: Crochet Patterns for a Doll That Looks Like You
Written by Yolonda Jordan
Ages: 6+ | 144 Pages
Publisher: Abrams Books (2022) | ISBN-13: 978-1419750397
- Patterns for customizable African American crochet dolls
- Options for various skin tones, hairstyles, and facial features
- Extensive wardrobe including basic clothing and specialty outfits
- Adventure-themed ensembles (school, soccer, ballet, Paris travel)
- Imaginative costumes (mermaid, scientist with lab coat)
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Classic Knitting Patterns for Modern Dolls: An easy-to-make range of stylish knitwear for 14-15″ dolls
Written by Susan Dunlop
Ages: 6+ | 91 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2023) | ISBN-13: 979-8863412887
- Patterns designed specifically for 14-15 inch slim-body collectible dolls
- Classic knitwear styles with modern appeal
- Projects primarily use DK yarn, with some 4ply patterns
- Minimal seaming required (top-down construction)
- Fully illustrated instructions throughout
- Simple two-needle flat knitting technique
