I can occasionally be coaxed into making rag dolls (I have a Kaitou Kid one that I travel with), but if you can hand sew, you should be able to mend, it's not that big of a difference.

Despite the fact that I'm in the SCA, I still can't make clothing. I can cut, pin and do hems and such, but to make the full thing? Nah-uh. The few cosplay costumes I've done have been handsewing as well, but it's been because of the fabric or style of the costume. (Larva from Vampire Miyu and Naraku from Inuyasha, which was massive amounts of shag fur)