Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Create a Reborn Doll
Use an inexpensive base doll from a company like a Berenguer, Lee Middleton or Lots to Love. Or, build a doll with a kit like Adora's Name Your Own Baby, where you can choose hair and eye color.
Replace the factory eyes with darker color eyes (18mm are a good size) to make the doll look more realistic. Using a craft knife, pop out the old eyes, being careful not to cut the vinyl. You may have to cut a small hole in the neck to remove the head to make it easier to work with. You don't have to remove the factory paint, but some doll makers prefer to remove the finish and start fresh.
Remove the head and paint the inside with a paint wash (diluted flesh, pink, violet/purple acrylic paints) to give the vinyl more depth. Going too dark will give the doll a bruised look. Use diluted washes on the outer surface to make the doll's cheeks and lips rosy. Use a brown eyebrow pencil or paint to color in the eyebrows. Don't go too dark or it will look unnatural. Make the doll more realistic with dabs of rosy paint on the limbs. Blend carefully. Seal with a matte acrylic spray.
Replace existing hair or add hair by re-rooting or wigging. Rooting hair can be a tedious process, involving poking individual thin strands of hair into the scalp with a needle to make it look realistic. For realism, lightly glue light patches of mohair or viscose.
Stuff the cloth body with pellets (available at a doll supply store) to give the body weight. You can stuff the limbs with fiberfill for more firmness.
Make a Cloth 19-inch Baby Doll
Choose a cloth baby doll pattern. Assemble the doll in one piece or by sections, according to the instructions on the pattern.
Hand or machine stitch the body and limbs. Stuff the doll with fiberfill. Attach yarn or other fibers for hair; attach by stitching or gluing.
Paint, stitch or draw on the face to give your doll character. If you're making the doll for a young child, do not use buttons or other small items that can detach.