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Information on our Reborn body styles, wigs and stuffing.
To give you
a better understanding of the body styles 1/4 limbs verses 3/4 limbs
and the difference in firmness of the stuffing, I have put together
some brief explanations with pictures. I understand it is very
difficult to get the complete picture by the Photographs that are
displayed for you to select from. Just like our own family pictures we
select the ones that presents us in the most favorable light, but not
always giving a lot of detail. So I hope this will help in your
decisions.
Inner-glow blue dye. This blue dye is applied to the inside of the head and limbs by the manufacture of the doll parts just prior to base coat painting. The result gives a light bluish-gray cast to the flesh colored vinyl giving a life-like appearance and depth to resemble human skin. The handcrafted application effect is different each time with each doll. Some end up with a darker tent than others, and each dolls appearance seems to change according to the lighting conditions. In-door lighting at night the bluing seems to be enhanced.
Limb Styles-
The limb styles make a big difference in how your baby looks over all.
There are advantages and dis-advantages to both 1/4 limbs and 3/4
limbs.
-The 1/4 limbs
babies are softer, more cuddly, and bodies look smaller next to head.
Much like a real baby the head is usually larger and shoulders more
narrow.
 ---1/4
limb babies can also be better positioned in baby positions. If you
are an adult collector that may be important. 1/4 limbs bodies can be
stuffed to very soft to medium soft or more firm. I suggest medium to
firm for children. Easier to handle and less chance of ripping the
cloth body. Pictured is a Medium firm 20" Honey.
 -3/4 limbs babies
are a little less cuddly and the bodies need to be a little more firm
to support the limbs. Shown is Medium Soft. Limbs are
jointed at the shoulders and hips. By some it is felt, 3/4 limbs enlarges the body out of the newborn
stage to slightly older infant.
There are many 3/4 body
different styles to select from and many of them have just the 'cutest
feet' that do have newborn characteristics - but vinyl makes the
shoulders seem just a little wider. A little give and take there!
Please note: The limbs that are offered with the individual
dolls are the limbs the manufacture of the dolls parts offer for that
doll head and this is all that is available pre-painted. They fit their
standards for proportional size. Of Course if you are painting your
own doll, any option is available to you.
Stuffing choices: you will be asked to select from Soft - Medium or Firm Note the differences below.
Dolls shown below in sitting positions have Medium stuffing- if left on their own they will fall forward. Note the softness in the chest area. Soft stuffing makes them even more flexible. but there is a limit to softness- otherwise they will look like a rag doll. Firmer Stuffing (shown below) will allow the doll to sit. With firm the body is still very squeezable soft, but firm enough to hold the head up. More information at the bottom of the page on Stuffing.
 Floppy
Heads - The need to support the head depends on the firmness of the
body stuffing. The softer the body the more support the head will
need. As you see with this picture the doll with medium stuffing
can not sit up-right. This is true with 1/4 or 3/4 limbs.
 I'm trying to show the degree of floppiness the head has with medium stuffing with both 1/4 or 3/4 vinyl.
Shown here is Honey with a firm stuffing, she can sit by herself- preferred by most children and for dolls that are represent an older baby.
 
The difference in size between Honey, a 20-inch doll and Zoe a 17-inch preemie doll.
Zoe is best stuffed from Medium to Soft. Shown here is soft - the head flops front to back and side to side and need lots of support. Wonderful for posing. Medium stuffing is recommended for children.
Weight of your doll. Below describes the weighting - you have an option of ordering more weight for an additional charge.
 The
dolls are stuffed with Fiberfill and plastic weighting beads. I sew
little pouches in three different sizes and fill with beads.
The pouches contain the beads for better positioning and protection in case
of a tear in the cloth body. The two larger sizes go in the body-
large narrow one in crotch area and the second as back weight. They
weigh 4.5 oz each. The smaller pouches weighing 1.4 oz each go in the arms and legs of the dolls with 1/4 limbs. The dolls with 3/4 vinyl limbs, the limbs are stuffed with
fiberfill and loose beads for a slight weighting. Also the heads are filled with fiber fill and weighted. The Honey and Kelly weigh close to 3 lbs. Doesn't sound like much but that is about weight of 4 small cans of soup. Check it out! The 17" Preemie Dolls weigh slightly less.
If additional weight is wanted you have that option to add it to your order. Glass beads will be used if more weight is selected. This will add as much as an additional 2 pounds to the doll depending on the size doll you select. Additional weight is added to the limbs, body and head. Glass beads- are Not recommended for children under 8 years. .
 Wigs I find have been my biggest obstacle. Although I purchase the very best in wigs by Monique, The wig quality is wonderful, easy to comb and style, but does give a lot of hair for infants. The 19" dolls wear wigs size 11-12, and the 17" dolls wear 9-10 wigs. The hair fits slightly different on each doll due the different shapes of heads. The dolls have beautiful heads, so bald is a wonderful option. After you receive your dolls you may also trim the hair to suit you taste, I have available some simple hair trimming and thinning tools under the reborning supplies. The wigs are Super Glued on. I do not find using Eileen's Tacky glue (makes the cap or head to stiff) or E6000 ( too gummy) good mediums for the wigs. In case your dolls wig need repair, I suggest Gorilla Super Glue.
Vinyl Used for your doll.
Light
vinyl is pinkish in color and very soft and pliable, and when treated
with the inter blue dye, it gives a darker inter glow giving the effect
of more depth and shadows around mouth, and eyes. Since the dye is
applied by hand the effect on each doll is different, some lighter,
others darker. The vinyl is then hand painted with a light blushing. A
perfect effect as it is or if desired a good base for additional
reborning.
You may select to forgo the blue dye and purchase your doll in the standard light vinyl, or select medium or dark medium skin tone.
-Interglow is the soft light vinyl treated with internal blue-dye
- Standard Light vinyl- is the soft light vinyl without the blue dye.
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Medium and Medium Dark vinyl - does not come treated with inter glow.
The vinyl is not as soft and pliable as the light vinyl and does not
come in some of the specialty limbs. Dark vinyl is not always available.
Stuffing Firmness -It is suggest for children to select medium for the preemie baby and firm for the 21 inch dolls. Dolls for adults, it all depends on how you are going to display your doll.
Firm stuffing: Stuffing is squeezable soft, but firm enough to support the head so the doll can sit up-right.
Medium stuffing- Stuffing is less firm and the head flops to the back and front. Doll leans forward when sitting. Much like a baby of 3- 5 months old
Soft stuffing- Stuffing is very soft around the upper chest and the head needs support in all directions. Much like a newborn baby.
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