How to Reborn a Doll
Purchase a kit from a recommended reborn doll parts company., Purchase the doll parts to complete the project., Purchase a rooting tool. , Purchase pantyhose (to fill with beads) and other fillers as required for the project. , Purchase paint...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Purchase a kit from a recommended reborn doll parts company.
This is the easiest way to complete your first doll.
Once you get a feel for the colors and doll making you can experiment with your own way of doll making.
The kit should contain everything you need to complete the project such as paints, stuffing materials, body, doll limbs, mohair, and the tools to complete the doll.
A doll making kit should cost around $150 and will contain almost everything needed for your first project.
If you do not purchase a kit, the following suggested items will help you get started in reborning.
There are purchasing links listed in the sources section of this article. -
Step 2: Purchase the doll parts to complete the project.
Most dolls will need a head, arms, legs, cloth body, hair.
If you are reborning an open-eyed baby, you will need to purchase eyes and perhaps eye lashes, if you choose not to buy a doll making kit. ,,, Most reborn artists use Genesis paints which will require the purchase of an oven, preferably a convection oven.
You will need to purchase paints, paint brushes, perhaps sea sponges or berry makers. ,, Typical areas to find veining would be on the backs of the hands and the bottom of the feet.
Look at photos of babies to get a good idea of where to place the veins.
Use a very thin paint, almost like watercolor, to paint the veins.
Light layers of paint are what is needed to paint a reborn doll. , Place the doll parts onto the towel. , The temperature is usually between 260 to 265 °F (127 to 129 °C) for 8 minutes to set the Genesis paint. ,, Be sure to use a very thin, almost watercolor consistency paint, otherwise your doll will end up looking chalky.
Bake according to the previous directions.
Let it cool. , Bake to set paint. , Typical places to blush would include the bottoms of the feet (use a "U" motion to paint around the outer edges of the sole); in baby creases (do this delicately) and across the bridge of the nose and cheeks.
Use a sea sponge or mop brush to pounce the paint.
Bake to set paint using previous directions. , Use a filbert paint brush to apply the paint.
Apply one layer of paint to the nails and several layers to the lips.
Bake as directed above to set the paint. , Use a delicate hand, and thinned paint, to carefully paint veins on the eyelids.
Use a purplish paint that looks much like Dioxide purple.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. , The paint should be very thin so the brows look delicate when painted onto the face.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. , Use a whitish paint and delicately apply a dab of paint following the curvature of the nail.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. ,,, Add a good dollop of Gem-Tac or similar glue to inside of the head cavity in the scalp area.
Use a hemostat or other long gripping tool and a sponge to smear the glue around.
Let dry. , The eyelashes are rooted the same way.
Root the eyelashes in and then glue them from inside the doll head. , Look at newborn babies to get a general idea of how to style the hair. , Let it dry. ,, In general, line the body cavities with cut off pantyhose and fill with beads or other filler to weight the body and head.
Secure the nylons and place in appropriate doll cavities. ,,, -
Step 3: Purchase a rooting tool.
-
Step 4: Purchase pantyhose (to fill with beads) and other fillers as required for the project.
-
Step 5: Purchase paint supplies.
-
Step 6: Wash all the doll parts and let dry thoroughly.
-
Step 7: Paint veins on the head and anywhere else you'd like veining.
-
Step 8: Line a baking sheet or baking tray with a dish towel or tea towel.
-
Step 9: Bake the doll parts that have had veins applied.
-
Step 10: Remove the doll parts and let cool.
-
Step 11: Apply a thin wash of flesh tone colored paint in a pouncing motion using a mop brush or sponge
-
Step 12: your choice
-
Step 13: to the doll parts.
-
Step 14: Reapply several thin layers of flesh tone and mottling layers of colored paint using a brush or sponge.
-
Step 15: Apply a thin wash of blushing to create a newborn blotchy look.
-
Step 16: Paint the nails and lips.
-
Step 17: Paint the eyelids with fine veining using a script liner brush.
-
Step 18: Paint the eye brows using a script liner brush and a delicate hand.
-
Step 19: Apply the nail tips using a liner brush or toothpick.
-
Step 20: Cut the mohair into manageable lengths
-
Step 21: around 3 inches (7.6 cm).
-
Step 22: Insert the hair into the scalp using the rooting tool and felt needles.
-
Step 23: Glue the hair from inside the head cavity.
-
Step 24: Root the eyelashes.
-
Step 25: Trim the scalp hair as desired.
-
Step 26: Dampen the hair with water and place a cut off nylon
-
Step 27: or nylon sock
-
Step 28: on the head to hold the hair down.
-
Step 29: Style the hair as desired.
-
Step 30: Follow the kit directions or directions given for the purchased doll parts.
-
Step 31: Assemble the doll parts following the kit or purchased body directions.
-
Step 32: Diaper your doll
-
Step 33: if appropriate.
-
Step 34: Dress your doll in desired outfit.
Detailed Guide
This is the easiest way to complete your first doll.
Once you get a feel for the colors and doll making you can experiment with your own way of doll making.
The kit should contain everything you need to complete the project such as paints, stuffing materials, body, doll limbs, mohair, and the tools to complete the doll.
A doll making kit should cost around $150 and will contain almost everything needed for your first project.
If you do not purchase a kit, the following suggested items will help you get started in reborning.
There are purchasing links listed in the sources section of this article.
Most dolls will need a head, arms, legs, cloth body, hair.
If you are reborning an open-eyed baby, you will need to purchase eyes and perhaps eye lashes, if you choose not to buy a doll making kit. ,,, Most reborn artists use Genesis paints which will require the purchase of an oven, preferably a convection oven.
You will need to purchase paints, paint brushes, perhaps sea sponges or berry makers. ,, Typical areas to find veining would be on the backs of the hands and the bottom of the feet.
Look at photos of babies to get a good idea of where to place the veins.
Use a very thin paint, almost like watercolor, to paint the veins.
Light layers of paint are what is needed to paint a reborn doll. , Place the doll parts onto the towel. , The temperature is usually between 260 to 265 °F (127 to 129 °C) for 8 minutes to set the Genesis paint. ,, Be sure to use a very thin, almost watercolor consistency paint, otherwise your doll will end up looking chalky.
Bake according to the previous directions.
Let it cool. , Bake to set paint. , Typical places to blush would include the bottoms of the feet (use a "U" motion to paint around the outer edges of the sole); in baby creases (do this delicately) and across the bridge of the nose and cheeks.
Use a sea sponge or mop brush to pounce the paint.
Bake to set paint using previous directions. , Use a filbert paint brush to apply the paint.
Apply one layer of paint to the nails and several layers to the lips.
Bake as directed above to set the paint. , Use a delicate hand, and thinned paint, to carefully paint veins on the eyelids.
Use a purplish paint that looks much like Dioxide purple.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. , The paint should be very thin so the brows look delicate when painted onto the face.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. , Use a whitish paint and delicately apply a dab of paint following the curvature of the nail.
Bake the doll parts as directed to set the paint. ,,, Add a good dollop of Gem-Tac or similar glue to inside of the head cavity in the scalp area.
Use a hemostat or other long gripping tool and a sponge to smear the glue around.
Let dry. , The eyelashes are rooted the same way.
Root the eyelashes in and then glue them from inside the doll head. , Look at newborn babies to get a general idea of how to style the hair. , Let it dry. ,, In general, line the body cavities with cut off pantyhose and fill with beads or other filler to weight the body and head.
Secure the nylons and place in appropriate doll cavities. ,,,
About the Author
Jerry Reynolds
Committed to making lifestyle accessible and understandable for everyone.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: