Suedeing, the glory! (nudity)

what exactly is Suedeing?

 

Suading is coating the inner parts of the doll's joints with thin suade fabric to help it pose, and reduce wear and tear.

 

You sueded without destringing? I want to suede the torso joints of my SDC because they can get a little wild at times. Thought for sure I'd have to destring her, though?

 

I just took my boys apart when I sueded them, and used string loops on the ankles when restringing my DS Hound.

Suedeing does amazing things for posing, both for my Hound & my Dollmore Dean.

Ann in CT

 

I would like to know what you used to suede him with.
I want to suede my hound!
thanks for posting.

 

So... yeah I've been wanting to suede my boys for awhile now. I'm not afraid to do it, I just don't know how to go about doing it. I have a sueding kit from Volks and also extra elastic for whenever I need it.

I'm wanting to wire too.

But question about sueding, how do you do it without having it noticable in the joint?

 

that helped a lot, I was wondering if moleskin sheets would help, they are self sticky and slightly fuzzy?

 

I tried sueding with moleskin and it helped a little bit, but I think is too slippery to do the job properly.

 

can you use tape to? like the ones you use when you sprain your fingers? (not plastic tape but the fabric kinda tape you know >_>

 

Three cheers for pliver (do a search on Ebay). Super-fine suede. I read about it here, in another post. I bought a $5 chunk of it, sueded four dolls, and have barely made a dent in the skin.

 

Ahhh, I think CP boys are the -worst- for this! I think sometimes their legs are drilled a little crooked... ^^; Both suading and wiring really help, though, and you can just pull the limb back like Effigy is showing. ^_^

 

I sueded my boy using fabric bandaids, and it does help on the smaller joints, like the knees, but not so much in the hips.

 

So...effigy, you just put the suede in the sockets, not on the balls of the joints? Is that correct? Thanks for the pictures. They're helpful.

--MW

 

What I was thinking, would it be more useful to put the suede on the ball? Though that might be a bit difficult. It woul, perhaps, cause more friction since the inside of the joint cavity is usually (or from what I have seen?) rough whereas the ball is smooth.
Any perspectives on this?
// EDIT Ann, I kind of realised this as well. I certainly want the suede to be hidden ^^;; So socket it is.

Thanks for sharing this, now I, too, know I might even be able to do it.

 

You only suede one surface, so there is one sueded and one smooth surface whichever way you go.

I sueded the sockets of my dolls, and it worked like a charm.

Also, the sockets tend to be more hidden than the ball in the joints. No matter where the doll is positioned, some of the ball shows, but just the edges of the socket.

Ann in CT

 

Would using glue damage the resin? I have fabric glue, which is supposed to work better for porous material on smooth surfaces. SUPPOSED TO anyway. ^^;;; Do you think fabric glue would damage the resin any?

 

I find it best to use glue specifically for Leathers. It's basically the same as elmers glue, but stronger. I've had Ghaleon sueded for about a year now using that on pliver and i haven't had any of it come out except his head, from washing inbetween face ups. The glue peels right off easily when dampened.

I would NOT use woodglue on it. Wood glue is very permenant on things and is very hard to get off. From what I understand it's actually a type of resin, so it might bond permenantly with your doll's joints, but the leather won't... so you'll be left with a crusty mess in the joints. Sueding doesn't hold up for ever, eventually the suede gets worn smooth and thus loses it's grip. :/

 

Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue. Comes in a silver bottle at many US craft stores.
I used this and it worked well. I also had one joint that had to be redone (I tried to use a chamois at first, and it was too thick for all but the hip-thigh socket), and it's just a matter of soaking in water for a few minutes. It's basically a more refined version of school glue, non-toxic, so I don't see how it could hurt the resin.

ETA: My sister just reminded me that Tacky Glue is a PVC glue, which is used in book preservation. If anyone's concerned about using inert materials, it's book preservationists.

 

PVA, rather? PVC is poly vinyl chloride and degrades to hydrochloric acid, which is very, very bad. PVA is poly vinyl acetate, and depending on what other crap they add to the glue, is self-plasticizing so it will be more inert than other glues. (Just for what it's worth, I've just taken some Master's level courses in book preservation materials and technologies at the University of Texas Kilgarlin Center for the blah blah blah... I don't mean to sound pompous ^_^)

 

Thanks to this thread, it finally got me to suede my CP El.. MY GOD! The difference is amazing! It was so easy.... Thanks for showing us that you don't have to completely unstring them to do this! That was the only thing holding me back!

 

Where can I find suede thin enough to use (besides Volks)?
Are there any shops or places that sell it?
How thin should I get it?

 

Look for pliver on ebay. It is inexpensive and works great.

 

And Elmers glue will work? Or is there some special craft white glue that I should look for? Many thanks - that tutorial has really encouraged me!

 

I'd suggest Aliene's Tacky Glue over Elmers...I just have the normal glue, but some people use the kind for difficult-to-bond surfaces.

 

I would second Ailene's, that stuff rocks!

 

I went out in search of pliver today and the closest I could come was a suede chamois (such as you might use for smudging pencils in art class). It's pretty thin, would I be able to use it for sueding?

 

I just bought some on e-bay, it came a few days ago, I could give you some, or sell you some if you would like. I live south of you. Send me a PM if you are so inclined.

 

Thanks for the Tutorial!

I dont want to take my doll apart...so maybe this will help.

Will Sueding work almost as good as wiring? Or what is the difference in the outcome of the 2?

My Hanael needs help standing- She is so jumpy!

I need to try something. Will Sueding help? Do you think? Her Knees are the worst spot.

Thanks,

 

yay! I got the courage to suede my doll after reading this thread, I used pliver that I bought from syrinxfox (thank you so much!). I dissasembled him though, but only because I wanted to - but not before studying the tutorial on Luts' website first It worked great! before, my boy (CP EL) would constantly want to bend his legs or swing forward, and his arms wouldn't pose - now I can get him to stand perfectly, touch his head, and even stand on one foot sometimes! I'm so very happy with the results!

*EDIT* here is some pics I took during the "operation"








look at that face





then, after I put him all back together...

he couldn't do that before, he would just swing his leg up and fall back It worked so good. Totally recommend it!!

 

I cant believe how well this has worked! I sueded my boys knee-joints as both he and my Bee-A have problems standing. Their legs bend back at the knee, which makes it difficult to pose them with their arms held up in front.

To practice, i used pliver from Syrinxfox to suede inside the joint (I am tempted to add another layer as the existing one is so thin) and I can now stand him with his legs straight, ergo NOT locked into position.

I'm planning on sueding his shoulder joints, wrists and ankles as he's quite tightly strung and his joints tend to slip back into basic poses. Then its his sister's turn!

It wasnt as scary as I thought-I did it while I was watching TV (and was pretty ill too) just bent his legs back to expose the sockets, held them there with hairbands, and used plain white craft glue to glue small squares of pliver in, as the curved strips were too fiddly.

 

So....wait...sueding is NOT permanent? And school glue is okay to use on the dolls?
I've been toying with re-stringing and wiring my girl...and previously wouldn't even concider sueding, as I thought it was a permanent thing...

 

I sueded my hound over the weekend, and his torso still pops out, I even wired him and it does it....I ordered a doll armature to use also and will try that.
But also the suede didn't stay on long it peeled right off...after it had been on for a few day...
also, to anyone that has a hound, is the elastic in the arms alot thinner than the other elastic?? mine is..and seems stretched out...I wired his arms and its better but not perfect...

 

oh thank you so much! I've always been wondering how to suede dolls. I heard that it isn't safe to suede on the ball joints, is that true?

 

When I sueded my Hound, I left the sueded joints to dry overnight before trimming back the pliver and restringing (I unstrung my boy). He's been fine ever since.
Perhaps you did not allow enough time with the joint exposed so the glue could fully dry?? The water won't evaporate through resin. I don't really know. Sorry.


Ann in CT

 

I just got some pliver to suede my dolls and I'm wondering---which side of the pliver do you leave exposed? Do you glue down the "suedy" part and leave the smooth part on the outside or do you glue down the smooth side and leave the suedy part outside? Thanks in advance!

Paul

 

Actually, this is Effigy's thread and not mine. I did suede my Girls and you suede the smooth part down and the more corse side up for a Better Grip. I used Elmers glue which is water based. When the pliver eventually wear out ; i will be able to easily remove and replace it. Sueding made a 100% difference on my Girls and Wiring made it 200%.

 

I am sad to report that I, too, sueded my Hound, but it made almost no difference whatsoever. The Pliver I bought (sight unseen) is VERY thin, even thinner than paper. Should it be thicker than that?

 

I had Great success sueding two Elfdolls and a SoulDoll. Pliver is very thin but i believe, should not be thinner than paper. Where did you buy your pliver? I have read that Hounds are very Hard to manage. It could be that sueding work better on some dolls than others. You could try to research all threads on sueding Hounds. I wish i could be more Helpful. If you have not tried Wiring; that could help.

 

Thanks for your input. I bought the Pliver from a seller here on DA, but the seller was wonderful; it's not that person's fault.

I've read everything I can find about sueding Hounds (in fact, this very thread was started about a Hound), but strangely enough, it just didn't work for my boy. I've heard mixed results about wiring, but perhaps I'll give it a try.

 

When sueding, you apply Glue to the pliver and then put the pliver in the joint you are working on. You glue pliver on the joints basically the same way you would glue anything else. First line up the pliver in the joint with no glue ; just to make sure of the fit. While the glue is still wet you can slide the pliver a little for a better fit. Be sure to let the glue dry before either reassembling or letting the joint snap back into place. That is the correct pliver to use from your ebay link.I bought and used pliver from that ebay seller and was very successful with it. I Hope i have been of help. If not ask away ; i or someone else may be of Help.

 

I know tacky glue is the one people use for this, Elmer's or some others.
Here's a link that might be helpful, it's from syrinfox's thread:

Hope that helps ^^

PS.- I have also heard that hot glue is good too, I may actually try this on my boys!

More on the hot glue here:
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92212

 

To elaborate on what Himitsu said; i personally used Elmers white multi-purpose glue. Some sueders prefer Aileens tacky glue. Use a water based glue so the suede or pliver can easily be removed if needed. Pliver will eventually wear out and you don't want to try and remove the pliver thats bonded on with something like super glue. You would have a huge mess. You could far more easily remove and replace worn pliver using Elmers or Aileens.

 

I'm a little confused by this. I've seen 2 posts where they said, make sure to glue the skin side out, which is the smooth side right? I got some pilver and one side is cottony rough the other shinny smooth, which is the skin side.. But when I look at your photo, I'm possitive that it should be skin/smooth side in and rough side out where the furry side is the teeth that grips......

Oh boy....I'm really confusedTT.TT

 

In order to get the Best results, you should suede with the smooth side in and the rough side out for a Better grip. The whole point to sueding is to grip the Ball joints on the Doll. The rough side will provde a Better Grip.

 

This is sooo awesome.

I have a DDI that just...jeesh, kicks and squirms all over the place! So, I have a question: Will this work on the vinyl body of a Dollfie Dream?

No matter what, I can put this to good use, though! Thank you!

-Jen

 

The great thing about BJDs is that if you mess up on the sueding you can EASILY remove your work and try again. Sure, it might take time but you can get it! Think of it as bonding with your doll. I can't wait to do stuff like that to Thalia (when she gets her body in that is)...

 

DOLLFIE DREAM I...Can she be sueded?? Will the vinyl work the same as the resin??

PWEEEEASE HELP!!

Thanks!!

Jen

 

sorry if this sounds stupid, but can you use faux suede for sueding? i'm getting a rainy doll sooah soon, and from what i've heard they benefit from sueding, and already have a large amount of faux suede (left over from a school textiles project) and wondered if i could use that instead of buying some more expensive stuff?

 

Thank you so much for posting this~~~!! I just got done sueding my Hound this morning and his "popping belly" has stopped completely. Before I sueded him, he wouldn't even stand (due to the loose hip joints and popping belly) but now he does with hardly any trouble. If this helps anyone, I used regular old suede on him. Because of the thickness, it really restrained his stomach and kept those legs from swinging around so much. Hooray for sueding!

 

Thank you for posting this. The photos really do help clarify the process!

I too would like to know if faux suede fabric, or any other non-animal based material, is effective for sueding joints.

 

WOW! suoper helpfull! ^.^ i'd been toying with the idea for when my man comes but i wasn't sure how to do it ^.^; do you think its a good idea to do it right away? to help minimize wear and tear, or should i wait a while? thankies!

-Kira

 

What about tinies? Like, tiny tiny tinies. My banji's legs i think would definately benefit from sueding, BUT, surely fabric is too thick for such small joints?

 

first timei have heard of sueding i am really interested in doing it but just wondering has anyone sueded a volks sd and is the a considerable different in posseability ?

thanks^^