Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Separate doll parts with a craft knife. Remove any paint on the doll, using a remover that doesn't harm vinyl. Wash parts and let them soak in hot soapy water. Let them dry completely.
Remove painted hair from the doll's head. Hold the head firmly with gloved hands. Apply acetone with cotton balls to remove painted residue. Soak the head in hot soapy water for at least an hour. Let the head dry.
Dye vinyl doll parts one shade lighter than the desired skin tone you want to achieve. Place the dye in a microwave for 30 seconds. At the sink, start with two limbs. Set the timer at one minute. Fill the limbs with dye. After one minute, pour the dye back in the bottle through a funnel. Microwave the dye for 20 seconds and repeat for the second set of limbs. Reheat the dye. Pour the whole bottle of dye into the head, and roll the head around so the dye completely covers the inside. Pour the dye back in the bottle. Allow the doll parts to dry.
Paint doll parts using flesh color and odorless paint thinner. Apply with a cosmetic sponge. The instructions for painting with Genesis Paints say to bake the parts in the oven at 265 degrees for eight minutes. After your doll cools, apply veins, blush and eyebrows with a paint brush.
Put glue on the crown of the doll's head. With the hair out of the way, turn a wig inside out. Center the wig on the crown of the doll's head. Slowly bring the wig over the doll's head, centering it in place. Allow the glue to dry. Choose natural hair for the best effect. If you have time and want much more realistic results, root the hair one by one, Bountiful Baby suggests.
Attach the vinyl parts to your doll body. Bountiful Baby says to fill each arm half full with glass beads, and then fill the remaining half with stuffing. Put the cap on each stuffed arm. Follow the same steps for each leg.
Measure 12 inches from the feet of the tights and cut both legs at that point. Stretch one cut leg over a glass, fill the stretched leg with pellets, tie a knot in the top to secure the pellets, and then insert the filled leg inside the head. Put stuffing inside the head to keep the pellets from rattling. Put the plug on the head. With the next leg from the tights, repeat the process, filling with glass beads instead of pellets because you want the body of the doll heavier than the head. Tie a knot in the leg, stuff inside the body of the doll, and then add cotton stuffing all around the tummy so it's soft and you can't feel the glass beads.
Dress your doll with your choice of doll clothes, shoes and hat. Your completed realistic doll will bring many years of joy and delight.