How to String a Doll's Body

After your doll has been painted, you have to string it together. These instructions are for simple bodies. No matter what type of body you are stringing together, you need only do this once or twice to get the knack of it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dollmaking Supplies
• Two-part Epoxy
• Forceps
• S- And K- Clamps
• Needle-nose Pliers
• Needle-nose Pliers

1. Make sure that all of the areas that were supposed to be trimmed out are trimmed and sanded.
2. Use a slightly larger S-hook connector setup than the opening calls for.
3. Measure from the knee to the shoulder. Double that length and cut a piece of elastic for the legs.
4. Take an S-hook connector and close the part that is attached to the nylon connector. Tie a good knot of the elastic onto the open S-hook part and close the hook.
5. Insert the S-hook connector into the lower leg. Apply two-part epoxy putty to the joint and allow it to harden fully before stringing.
6. Pull the elastic cord through the thigh and up to the neck. Hold in place with a K-clamp (locking forceps, large size).
7. Use a second clamp, and pull the remaining elastic back down through the opposite leg opening, then down through the thigh, and tie a knot on the S-hook. Insert the S-hook connector into the lower leg.
8. Measure from the elbow to the shoulder for the arms. Cut a piece of elastic double that size.
9. Close the hook that's attached to the nylon. Tie a knot onto the open S-hook end and close. Insert into the lower arm opening.
10. Apply two-part epoxy or joint compound before threading. Allow to harden fully.
11. Thread the elastic through the upper arm and through the shoulder. Hold in place at the neck with a K-clamp.
12. Thread back through the other shoulder and down through the upper arm. Secure with a knot onto a second S-hook connector, the same way you did the first S-hook. Insert into the lower arm.
13. Grab the two elastic cords at the neck opening and and pull up as far as they can go. Create a loop with the cords and set with a clamp.
14. Insert a Hookup or Screwgle into the head through the open crown. Latch the loop of the two elastic cords to the bottom of the hook. Crimp the hook slightly at the bottom of the Screwgle to hold the elastic.
15. Remove the clamps and set the head down gently into place onto the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only even-stretch or full-stretch elastic. Anything else will cause uneven tension.
• S-hook connectors come in a few sizes. You need only get four to complete an average doll. Make sure they are a bit larger than the openings and set them in sideways.
• If you want to make sure that your S-hooks or hooks won't come out, use a two-part epoxy or joint compound to set the hooks in before stringing.

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