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.
Completed reborn dolls are popular among collectors, who buy them on eBay or from doll artists (Reborners).
The technique of reborning a play doll typically involves the following processes:
The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed. In the last few years companies have also started releasing blank 'kits'. With these kits there is no factory paint, and the doll does not come assembled.
A purple color wash is applied to the inside of each vinyl part to give the appearance of realistic baby skin undertones. (This was commonly done until recently when it was found that the blue or purple has the tendency to bleed or seep through the vinyl, causing a 'bruised' appearance.)
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. The vinyl body can also be cut in half to create front and back 'plates' to add realism in photographing and displaying the dolls.
A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier. Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", magnetic hair bow, 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.
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