What is a Reborn Doll?
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:
1. The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed.
2. A purple color wash is applied to the inside of each vinyl part to give the appearance of realistic baby skin under tones.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The original vinyl body is replaced with a soft stuffed and weighted body.
6. A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier.
7. Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", a battery powered heartbeat simulator, breathing simulator, and heat packs.
8. 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 ("Reborners"). A Channel 4 series in January 2008, My Fake Baby, explored the lives of women who collect the lifelike baby dolls.
BERENGUER REBORN OR PLAY 19" BABY DOLL |
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2 | $25.47 | 29m | |
BERENGUER ALL VINYL BABY DOLL 14" GREAT TO REBORN |
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14 | $16.50 | 44m | |
PJs Disney Pooh Bear DUMMY PACIFIER SOOTHER 4UR REBORN |
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- | $1.48 | 58m | |
22mm Baby Green Bountiful Baby Eyes - Reborn Supplies |
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$8.95 | 58m | |
BERJUSA ALL-in-1 SUPER SeT+ INTrO 2 ReBoRN PAiNT SuPPLY |
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$79.95 | 1h 2m | |
NeW TODDLER TWiNS Reborn Doll Kits by Shelley Halperin |
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$139.95 | 1h 18m | |
Yellow Sweater Hat Booties fit 19 20 Reborn Baby |
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1 | $9.99 | 1h 30m | |
REBORN BABY GIRLGINNY SCULPT BY ELISABETH STEGER~ANNA |
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- | $139.99 | 1h 30m | |
Pink Sweater Hat Booties fit 19 20 Reborn Baby |
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2 | $10.49 | 1h 35m | |
BaBY TONEs AirDRY FLESH BASE TONE Reborn Doll Paint SML |
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$2.95 | 1h 38m | |
LEARN to PAiNT ASiAN Lt.EURASiAN REBORN BABYs 20 pc SeT |
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$16.95 | 1h 42m | |
BaBY TONEs AirDRY FLESH BASE TONE Reborn Doll Paint MED |
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$3.95 | 1h 42m |
Reborn Doll References
Beautiful Babies: The ART of Reborn Doll Making
Excellence in Reborn Artistry: Learn the Reborning Art: Create Breathtaking Reborn Dolls Instructions & Tutorial
