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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.channel4.com/video/my-fake-baby/series-1/episode-1/living-doll_p_1.html My Fake Baby, documentary excerpt]
* [http://www.channel4.com/video/my-fake-baby/series-1/episode-1/living-doll_p_1.html My Fake Baby, documentary excerpt]
* [http://www.fabtintoys.com/Reborn%20kit/ Build your own Reborn baby]


[[Category:Arts and crafts]]
[[Category:Arts and crafts]]

Revision as of 14:13, 17 July 2008

A reborn doll, note the added cloth body on the limbs, and the "rear plate" to make it more realistic.

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.

Reborn dolls

Completed reborn dolls are popular among adult female collectors, who buy them on eBay or from doll artists (Reborners). A Channel 4 series in January 2008, My Fake Baby, explored the lives of women who collect the lifelike baby dolls.

In July of 2008, police in Queensland, Australia smashed a car window to rescue what seemed like an unconscious baby only to find it was a reborn doll. The police stated that the doll was "incredibly lifelike" and that bystanders who thought a baby was actually dying were frightened by the incident.[1]

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.

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)