Hi, I have been lurking for awhile and although I have found answers to most of my questions, I have a new one. I thought I would do something different and ordered the all-vinyl doll kit from secrist. Its a 15" (I think) kit with full arms and legs, body, and Louise head ordered seperately. SO...I have these parts and I am debating on whether it would be better to assemble as a doe suede body, and then make the vinyl body into belly and back 'plates'... or try to do it as an all vinyl doll. I know it is also about the effect I am looking for, which I am not sure what I want. Also, this will sound really stupid, but the arms and legs don't just go on the way the body is- I have tried just for fun, and was wondering if I should cut out the part where the arms and legs go on the body? I *think* that this is what I need to do but don't want to ruin the doll before I even start painting! (For clarification, where the arm/leg openings are on the actual body of the doll there is an indented area to hold the limb but the vinyl is all one piece so there is no opening into the actual body. Its sort of like looking at a porthole that is closed, for lack of better description.)
Hi Kris and welcome =) I actually did this kit a couple of months ago. What I did was use a doe suede body then cut my vinyl body in half and use them as a belly and back plate. I just cut along the sides and shoulder seams. Over all it came out just fine. I personally didn't care for the vinyl body (ESP the limbs that came with the body) they just seemed too big for the head. I really loved the Lousie head though I think she's an adorable kit! Love to see a picture of your finished baby! Happy reborning and best of luck!
The Louise head is actually too small for that full vinyl body (IMHO) and Danielle Zweers, who sculpted the Louise head told Secrist just that. That is why they have a 15" cotton/doesuede body to fit her head and other limbs.
So anyway, on the torso, you carefully cut out the "plugs" that are the closed portholes lol and then heat the limbs and torso slightly to put the limbs in. It's just easier that way. And I believe that the cloth bodies Secrist offers are not for full limbs (which is what the limbs that come with the torso are) so you'd either have to buy or make one for full limbs. I do love the chubby-ness (is that a word? lol) of the limbs but would only use the torso as plates for the Louise head personally.
To use as plates just do what Tina said. Also, I think there was a tutorial on bodyplates. Then yes, you would cut out the entire arm and leg opening instead of leaving it so the limbs fit as a full body. Tie the sides together with pretty ribbons when putting the plates on.
Even if you did her as a full vinyl, you can always put a different head on the body. I thought the Jamie or Zoe might look good. Tough time inserting the head in the neck opening though, but it looks a lot better (IMHO) than the Louise head on a full body. So the plates should work better for that. :)
-- Edited by Buffington on Saturday 6th of February 2010 02:41:40 PM
Thanks for the advice, I knew someone could give me answers :) I started looking for doe suede bodies and only found one that was for a 13-15" doll that could accomodate full arms and legs. Hard to tell from the picture if it would look right. I did check out how the body would look with Zoe's head (I am currently working on 2 Zoe's so I have the heads around) and you are right, the proportions are a lot better. So I may end up going with the doesuede and making plates from the body (beause I do want to use Louise's head for this doll). I'll definitely post pictures once I'm finished.
Where did you finally find your body? (Ok, that sounds funny lol) I think dollsbysandie has some for full limbs. I know there's one other site that has them but I don't remember who.
Can't wait to see your Louise with her new body in the showcase :)
Welcome, Kris! Can't wait to see how your Louise turns out!
When I first saw the thread titled "All Vinyl Doll", I thought you were going to tell us you are reborning a Special Edition Berenguer (now retired), and had concerns about removing paint and sanding hair mold lines. LOL. KITS are sooooo much easier.
Bodies can be expensive. If you sew, you might try making a body yourself. I noticed an ebay seller that has some interesting body patterns (and I'm sure there are others). Per the descriptions, there are two basic styles with adaptations included for limb length. I have NOT ordered the patterns yet, but I was thinking of tackling the project.
The ebay id is: chellesbabiesnursery
Hope it helps...
Linda
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Linda Dreyer~ Forum Moderator Secrist Certified Newborning Teacher & Dealer Apple Valley DW Dealer Play Days Dolls & Collectibles PlayDaysDolls.com (Current Avatar: Erinfrom Secrist Dolls)
You know I don't remember which site I found it on :) I just did a search one weekend and ended up finding one. Hopefully I'll be able to find it again. I've put the full body doll on hold temporarily, I have a couple of Zoe's I am working on and one is finally ready to start rooting hair. My 3 year old son likes to 'help' when I work on the babies and he has been anxious for me to get going on the one with a body to be painted :) I will be sure to post pics when these are finished
There is a wonderful lady on ebay that custom makes doe suede bodies all sizes and limbs you just tell her what you need. She's extremely reasonable two bodies for $20