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| How to transfer a vinyl doll onto a cloth body |
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Let’s say you found the cutest dolly, but when you try to cuddle it, the doll is stiff, and not very flexible, even if the limbs are jointed (movable). So you think, aw this little baby would be so much more enjoyable if it were softer, more…cuddly! Well, guess what…. YOU can make that possible! Yes, you! By following the below instruction even the most novice of doll enhancers, reborners as some are known as, can take a plain vinyl play doll and turn it into a lifelike replica of a newborn baby! This article addresses the removal of the full limbs from the vinyl body and then attaching the vinyl pieces to a new cloth body. 1: Let’s explore what a full bodied vinyl doll means, in the below photo it shows a ‘full vinyl’ 14 inch Lots To Love play doll, meaning there is no cloth on this doll. Its limbs are pushed into the torso with flanges allowing them to move up and down, also known as ‘jointed’. 2: This doll has the head attached to a flange that is on the torso, so, there is an accommodating hole in the bottom of the head. Most dolls have a flange/neck piece attached to the head itself. So, if removing from the torso in order to allow for attachment to a cloth body, this doll head needs a neck adaptor/flange. Some doll reborners actually utilize the neck piece from the vinyl torso, by carefully cutting it away with an exacto knife. *Please use care when using any cutting implement, decide where you want to make the cut, perhaps making a light pencil line. Cutting slowly allows for better precision, and prevents damage to the vinyl and yourself! Including enough of the vinyl left on the neck piece will allow for insertion into the head and a ‘lip’ for the cloth body to clasp around. (Sorry no photo at this time) I often use a plastic PVC pipe connector found in most plumbing supply stores. Many have a lip on one end and the other fits snuggly into the head, measuring the opening or even bringing the piece with you for fitting is advised! Below are some examples of pieces I have used. They come in many sizes. Head adaptors can also be purchased at many online doll supply shops. On to removing the limbs from the body. 3: Each vinyl limb will have the same flange, seen at the neck, allowing it to be secured to the cloth body. These limbs and the head for that matter can be removed, either by gently pulling and maneuvering it off from the torso, using great care so as not to tear the vinyl at the flange. The safest method for this is heating the vinyl area, by using a hairdryer or heat gun (for setting paint) or simply placing near a heat vent. Many reborners submerge the area under hot water. (If submerging in water, be sure the limbs are fully dry inside before assembling!) *Please use care when using heating methods so as not to scorch the vinyl or cause burns to you! 4: Once the limbs and head are free from the torso, you will need to decide which cloth body you would prefer. There are so many available. Some bodies have simple holes in the sides and for the head, with seams for cable ties or strings. Others may have extra material with added joints allowing for more motion of the limb. Knowing the size of the original doll aids in choosing the right sized body for correct proportions. *You may want to enhance the doll before you assemble onto the new cloth body. Please see section on enhancing/reborning. 5: Some reborners add weighting material to the limbs before attaching as well. This could be in the form of fiberfill, (teddy bear stuffing) tiny glass beads (looks like sand) or poly pellets (bean bag filling). Some full limbs are completely sealed and would require a hole to be carefully cut inside the flange, then being sealed with appropriate glue/fiber fil or silicone sealant. I often glue cardboard or felt over the opening, depending on the material used. 6: When the limbs are ready, enhanced or not, filled, or not, insert into the correct opening, check for right vs. left sides, front of the body vs. back! Then tighten the cable tie or sting, not to tight, allow for the limb to move, yet not so loose it can fall out!. 7: Once the limbs are secure, decide if you want to weight the body or just have it filled with fiber fill. Many reborners add a bag of polypellets to the bottom and surround with fill, some use a nylons sock filled with pellets to make the body like a bean bag. It just depends on how cuddly, heavy and floppy you want the doll. 8: Time to add the head, either enhanced or not, some weight this also, allowing for a bit of a floppy head, like a newborn. Secure the head with the cable tie and ..Whalaa, you have produced a new baby doll! Now give it a nice snuggle, oh, so much better right! Please note that should you choose to add enhancements ie with painting, wigging, rooting adding lashes, weighting ect. The materials chosen should be taken into consideration if the doll is to be used by a young child. A simple full vinyl play doll transformed onto a cloth body and softly stuffed can serve the same purpose for a little caregiver! |
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