How to Make Your Own Disney Princess Doll
Dolls patterned after the popular Disney Princess character line can be made using a variety of methods. Your own Jasmine, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Pocahontas or Mulan-based doll can be crafted out of cloth or sculpted from clay, or cast from more complex materials like porcelain and resin. One of the easiest methods of customizing a doll is to build one from a doll kit, which includes all the parts needed to put a doll together. Similarly, you can refurbish an existing doll body with details that resemble the Disney Princess of your choice. To make your own customized Disney Princess doll, complete the following instructions.
Things You'll Need
- Doll kit or old doll of your choice
- Doll wig and other chosen parts
- Doll-sized accessories and notions
- Fabric
- Sewing equipment
Instructions
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The Doll
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1
Decide what size doll you would like to make or refurbish. Dolls commonly range in sizes from 11-inch Barbie-style to 18-inch American Girl-style.
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2
Choose a doll kit or old doll in your specified size that will work best for your Disney Princess character. Doll kits can be bought online from companies like Apple Valley, Playhouse, Syndee and Springfield. Old dolls can be purchased on Ebay or from secondhand stores.
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3
Evaluate what changes need to be made to the existing doll body. You may wish to purchase a different wig, or swap heads and eyes with another doll. Different doll types have different customization options.
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4
Make all changes to the cut and style of the wig, if you are using a new one, before attaching it to the doll head. Some wigs may need to be set with heat and hairspray to hold a particular style.
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5
Assemble the doll body. Attach any new hair and put new eyes in the head. You may wish to change the painted makeup on the face, if at all possible.
The Clothes
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Measure the doll body and determine the size of clothing needed. Find a pattern that best fits the size of your doll either online or at a fabric store. Standard pattern companies carry a variety of doll-sized princess-style or eveningwear patterns that can be adapted to a Disney Princess look. The original American Girl patterns are also a great source.
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Alter the pattern to fit the specifics of your doll body and the Disney Princess dress you wish to replicate. Use the movies and Internet images to get a good idea of what your dress should look like. You can find good, detailed images of the dresses at Disney's official website and through Google Images.
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Choose fabric and notions that match the dress and its accessories. Make sure that they are in scale to the size of your doll. You can find doll-sized notions online at sites like Tiny Zippers.
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9
Sew the dress and accessories. Buy any accessories you cannot make from commercial doll companies, eBay and online doll stores.
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10
Put the outfit on the doll and add all accessories. Double-check with your reference images to make sure your Disney Princess doll looks as much like the character as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Wigs can be easily removed only if they are not rooted in the doll's head and are attached with a wig cap. Rooted hair must be pulled out or shaved down before gluing a new wig on. Makeup can be removed and repainted on some doll types. Jewelry can be bought, made from beads and string, or commissioned from a professional jewelrymaker. More doll patterns can be found online for purchase or sometimes for free.
