How important is removable clothes?

[Former_Member]

Hi guys, I've been having a debate with myself which is leaving me a bit stumped so I'd like your opinion. How important is removable clothes on an art doll?

As I'm new to doll making I'm finding it much easier to make clothes by sewing onto the doll. This way the clothes are tight and tailored and look much better. It also means I can sell it for cheaper.

But do people want the option to dress and undress? Should I up my game to removable clothing? xx

[TookraDesign]

I have debated this myself. I love the *idea* of removable clothes, and if I were making dolls that could be played with, I would definitely want them to be customizable in that way.

But with art dolls, I don't know if it's necessary. I have made a few art dolls with separate articles of clothing, but it an enormous time investment. Most of the art dolls I've Favorited from other artists don't have removable clothes, and it doesn't both me at all.

If you wanted to add removable elements but wanted to keep the time and cost down you could simply add removable accessories - hats, scarves, belts, purses - these might be less time consuming but add more detail to your dolls.

Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

Thanks, it does put my mind more at rest. I think I like the idea of removable clothing, but in practice I think you'd probably end up keeping the outfit on. Also if you sell a doll with only one outfit the buyer will probably keep the clothes on, unless they want to pose the doll nude.

I think I'll get on with non-removable clothes, it'll speed things up a lot and clothe a few characters I've got currently sitting in their Y fronts!

Georgina xx

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[Former_Member]

I don't think it matters either way. If it's to play with then perhaps removable clothing, but if it's an art doll it's art!

[Former_Member]

I used to do removeable clothing, but read an article in a doll magazine by Arley Berryhill about how he sews the cloths on and the light went on for me. It saves time, it looks better, the clothes fit better, it's easier. I really hate sewing on snaps! You can still sew buttons on for appearance. My characters can be handled, but aren't for play, so the clothes don't need to come off. If they were for play, then I'd make them removable. I think it's great when folks make removeable cloths and I envy their skill at sewing, but it's not for me.

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I've had a little go at sewing directly onto the doll and it makes the WORLD of difference. Sleeves for instance, you can easily make them perfectly fitted, whereas if you were to make a little shirt with removable sleeves it would be much harder. Especially for me as my doll's arm is thinner than their hands.

I have grand ideas for clothing, which in dressmaking terms would be very hard, victorian dresses, blazers, shirts, waistcoats. But sewing directly to the doll I think it will be more achieveable.

Non-removable it is.

However, I have to say I've recently been working on a large doll, a personal doll not for sale (it's Boris Grishenko from Goldeneye - yep, I'm a massive geek!) and I am giving him removable clothing. He's about 40 cm long so it's a little easier. Also his iconic outfit is shorts, a vest and an open hawiian shirt.

Man I love doll making!! :D

[JanConwell]

I agree with everyone here about art dolls. If the doll is not to be played with, then there's no reason to go to the labor and expense.

I have some with sewn-on clothes and some removeable...when I make removeable clothes, I do it for these reasons:

I'm creating an antique-inspired doll, trying to stay as close as possible to the original construction methods as the antiques. (Pain in the butt, too, because every seam must be hand finished, etc. yada, and snaps aren't nearly as bothersome as hand sewn buttonholes! :~P)

Also some people want to create seasonal clothing for their dolls to match the decor of their home. Some just like to have different looks for the dolls.

But of course the cost goes up...I recently had a custom order (almost finished with her) where I gave the customer the option: sewn on or removeable, and she picked sewn on. The $$ was $30 so that may have been a factor, but this isn't a doll for a child, either.

Lots of antique dolls had their clothes sewn to them, glued to them, painted on them, whatever. You're just as much a doll artist if you do this as if you painstakingly create little wardrobes. :~)