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.



Reborn Baby Christopher is a LE "Jane" sculpt by Denise

Reborn Baby Christopher is a LE "Jane" sculpt by Denise

-
$275.00
$375.00
17m
PaRTiAL ViNyL BeLLy PLaTe ReBORN DoLL KiT ~18-21" M.May

PaRTiAL ViNyL BeLLy PLaTe ReBORN DoLL KiT ~18-21" M.May

$12.95 31m
 Reborn  -Tobias New Face- Tina Kewy - Sweet Sharaiah

Reborn -Tobias New Face- Tina Kewy - Sweet Sharaiah

- $175.99 1h
Hand Knitted Reborn Baby Hooded Snow Carry Suit

Hand Knitted Reborn Baby Hooded Snow Carry Suit

- $16.35 1h 10m
Reborn baby Cadence~A Wibke sculpt,  by Manuela Muth

Reborn baby Cadence~A Wibke sculpt, by Manuela Muth

5 $238.62 1h 43m
Reborn New Release Tamie Yarie Kaelyn ~Eva Michelle~

Reborn New Release Tamie Yarie Kaelyn ~Eva Michelle~

4 $242.60 2h 13m
Stunnning ADRIE STOETE Timothy,  Now Reborn baby "Amy"

Stunnning ADRIE STOETE Timothy, Now Reborn baby "Amy"

6 $202.83 3h 43m
Stunnning Reborn Secrist,  Now AA Baby Boy "Jamie"

Stunnning Reborn Secrist, Now AA Baby Boy "Jamie"

2 $120.57 3h 43m
ROMPER SUIT BEANIE AND BOOTEES REBORN  MINT GREEN

ROMPER SUIT BEANIE AND BOOTEES REBORN MINT GREEN

- $21.26 3h 46m
~*~Kaya now reborn Jessee ♥MR Hair♥Tummy plate♥OOAK~*~

~*~Kaya now reborn Jessee ♥MR Hair♥Tummy plate♥OOAK~*~

- $158.28 3h 48m
Baby Doll EARRINGS Set 12 MULTI for Reborn Dolls

Baby Doll EARRINGS Set 12 MULTI for Reborn Dolls

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$5.00
$5.50
4h 19m
Baby Doll EARRINGS Set 6 Gold Rhinestone 4 Reborn Dolls

Baby Doll EARRINGS Set 6 Gold Rhinestone 4 Reborn Dolls

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$3.50
$4.00
4h 20m


Reborn Doll References


Beautiful Babies: The ART of Reborn Doll Making by Michele Barrow-Bélisle (Paperback - Apr 9, 2007)

Excellence in Reborn Artistry: Learn the Reborning Art: Create Breathtaking Reborn Dolls Instructions & Tutorial by Jeannine M. Holper (Paperback - Dec 1, 2006)




Reborn Baby Dolls
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