What are the processes that go into making a doll?

Like Barbie or Bratz?What are all the things that go into making a doll.I need to know the steps all of the steps so please some one help me.


What are the processes that go into making a doll?
HI. Barbie and Bratz dolls are made out of vinyl. In order for them to be made there is first an artist or two involved in the process. The artist can either first draw the doll that they would like to create or they can just wing it and begin sculpting. Sculpting is done with sculpting clay. Some Sculpters use forms or molds but the good ones just use their hands and sculpting tools. They form the doll into what they want it to look like. Usually inside the head and arms they use styrofoam or tinfoil to create armatures for support of the clay. When using styrofoam it will shrink when heated leaving a hollow head, and limbs. Once the sculpter is satisified with the doll it is then baked in an oven. It can be a regular oven nothing fancy. Once the clay has cured (become hard) it is allowed to cool. Most of the sculpters I know send their clay sculpts to China for a mold to be made. Molds are very very expensive. That is why you see a lot of the same shapes in heads, bodies and limbs. With only the paint being different. For a vinyl baby doll one mold can cost $80,000.00 Molds are also only good for a limited amount of use. With Vinyl doll kits (doll parts that you make into a doll) they like to keep the use of the mold down to 250. This also increases the value of the kit. With Bratz and Barbies they most likely use the mold numerous times. This is why you will find flaws on barbies and Bratz and any other manufactured vinyl doll. After so many uses the mold starts to break down but in order to save money they will continue to use it. Once the mold is made and the vinyl is poured They have machines that paint the vinyl. They punch in codes that tell the machine which colors to use and where these colors are supposed to go. And that is how you make a Barbie or Bratz doll. Debbie Jadick Professional Doll ArtistWhat are the processes that go into making a doll?
FIRST PROCEDURE


From Catherine A. Mather





Catherine individually sculpted each new figure, working from a number of reference paintings, photos or a live model.





All start out from a block of porcelain clay and depending on how complex the gesture to be captured, it may take days or weeks to complete the body and head position. Once created the limbs are separated from the body to enable more detailed work to be formed.





This model is not fired in the kiln, but moulded in plaster and from these moulds, Catherine creates a small number of limited edition dolls.





From the original clay sculpture Catherine moulds these forms ,using casting plaster to make multi piece slip cast moulds. Slip casting refers to the porous plaster, when the liquid clay slip, is poured into the hollow mould, the moister is draw out of the clay creating a thin shell inside on the moulds surface. The excess liquid clay is poured back out of the mould and a thin inner shell is left to firm. When released from the mould and dried this shell is commonly called green wear. Green wear has a chalky soft texture and must be smoothed down to eliminate any imperfections. Once in the kiln the wear may stay there for any thing up to 24 hours. Catherine works exclusively with porcelain clay and this clay will require the kiln reach above 1100 degrees to create the finished vitrified porcelain. This is the most critical stage of the dolls evolution, such extreme heat reduced the size of the green wear by approximately 12%. The wear is now called bisque and is prepared to receive one of many coats of colour detail. To adhere the colour to the bisque porcelain, a ground pigment and flux is applied and fired to 800 degrees in the kiln to melt the colour onto the surface of the work. To complete the transformation. From parts to full figure, each limb is attached to the body of the doll using elastic, enabling the limbs to be rotated for dressing and shipping.








SECOND PROCEDURE





Heads and Shoulder Plates





The heads and shoulder plates are ceramic with a cloth covering. Creation of the heads and shoulder plates takes a week from pouring to firing, allowing time for the greenware to dry before going into the kiln. The molds used for the dolls are purchased from various doll artists, including Dianna Effner, Donna Rubert, Ruth Mattingly and Rose Pinkul. Once the head is covered with fabric I paint the features and spray on a sealant for protection.





Arms, Legs, and Bodies





The arms are constructed with the same fabric as the head and shoulder plate which is 100% cotton fabric which I custom dye flesh color. The body and legs are flesh color broadcloth. I wire the fingers and arms to enable the doll to hold small items and be posed. Many of the dolls have legs that bend at the knee making it easier to have the dolls in a sitting position if desired. I make and stuff a cloth body appropriately sized for the head and shoulder plate.





Outfits





Most of the doll dresses are made especially for the doll. I enjoy creating heirloom dresses using primarily batiste with lace, tucks, pin tucks, and occasionally embroidery designs. I also create outfits in prints and solids in country or modern styles.





For the 28 to 32 inch dolls I can occasionally purchase a child鈥檚 outfit and customize it to fit. For the smaller dolls (16 to 26 inch) it is usually necessary to create or adapt patterns.





At a minimum, outfits consist of dress, slip and pantaloons. Often I will include a pinafore and accessories to enhance the outfit.





Caring for Your Doll











My heirloom dolls are meant to be enjoyed outside a glass case. You will need to keep them from direct sunlight and protect them from pets that might chew the hands or feet.





Caring for these heirloom dolls is very simple. Since the faces are sprayed with acrylic sealer to protect them from soil, just dust your doll carefully with a nylon net duster, or other soft brush, or use a hair dryer on cool setting and blow the doll and the clothing. The fingers and arms may be posed by carefully bending them into the desired position.





Straight hairstyles may be brushed or combed to keep them smooth and silky. Trim uneven edges, if necessary. Use your fingers to fluff and rearrange curly hairstyles. Do not brush out the curls. The dolls are repairable if they should be unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident.








Hope you'll like it!!!








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John Lemar M. Tirao


BS Civil Engineering


University of the Philippines Diliman


Diliman, Quezon City


Philippines 1101