Reborn doll
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A reborn doll is a vinyl baby doll that has been enhanced to resemble a human baby. The process of creating a reborn doll is referred to as reborning.
The technique of reborning has evolved over the past five years with heat set paints and oils being the most used amongst artists.
Basic Reborning Methods
The technique of reborning a play doll typically involves the following processes:
- The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed.
- A purple color wash is applied to the inside of each vinyl part to give the appearance of realistic baby skin under tones.
- The exterior is painted using various techniques to add to the appearance of translucent skin tones, with effects such as veins, blotching, and "milk-spots" to resemble the skin of a newborn baby.
- Hair and eyelashes, usually fine mohair or human hair, are applied using rooting tools and felting needles strand by strand, which can take up to 30+ hours per head.
- The original vinyl body is replaced with a soft stuffed and weighted body.
- A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier. Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", a battery powered heartbeat simulator, breathing simulator, and heat packs.
Once completed, the reborn doll is no longer suitable as a child's play doll.
Collecting Reborn Dolls
The completed dolls are popular among adult female collectors, who buy them on eBay or from doll artists or "Reborners".
A Channel 4 series in January 2008, My Fake Baby, explored the lives of women who collect the lifelike baby dolls.
[edit] References
Beautiful Babies: The Art of Reborn Doll Making, Publisher: Lulu.com (October 4, 2006) ISBN-13: 978-1411678231
Excellence in Reborn Artistry: Learn the Reborning Art: Create Breathtaking Reborn Dolls Instructions & Tutorial by Jeannine M. Holper (Paperback - Dec 1, 2006)
