IMPL dolls Star, Model and Idol Discussion thread Part 6

I saw a review of new idol body (Chad) on BJD Collectasy HERE'S the LINK

 

Kitty Blue: I think you'll be OK with Chad- the Tony Hank head is big and I think the boys' heads are all big where the girls are smaller. Bella is a Star girl and her head is pretty big, works better on the Idol than the Idol Delia head does. Their heads are not uniform in size. I DID have a pic of the Karena head next to an Epidia and I can't find it! They are about the same size but the Epidia neck hole is an 8cm one I think (8.3?) and the Karena is a 10, which means all those Idol girl heads will make really good boys on other company bodies as many have a 10cm neck.

I'm still looking for my pic, but please do put yours up! I am very interested in seeing how the head looks on an AoD or Luts SDF.

Karena is worth modding a bit for; I've never done a neck hole-smallening (is that a word??) But I would for her! And in fact, I may have to! even the old Star bodies didn't have that large a neck hole... Keep us posted, FISHCAKE! Please and thank you!

Drive by Iris spam!

 

Super excited!! I got some Benmore hooves from someone here for my Chad. They'll actually end up getting here before him (he's on layaway), but I can't wait to see them in person! I figure I'll have to mod them to fit, but I was looking for either paws or hooves, and I'm so happy I found some in my price range

 

Oooh, KICKINGSHOES, definitely spam him when he's done! or even when he isn't! Chad is easy on the eyes! and GRATS!

 

This is for you, KittyBlue!

 

Thanks Vevet, for the link! I read it... and I want a Chad now more than ever! *L* I think he will be my first male Idol body. Golly, I love the beasty sculpt of him!!


THANK YOU FISHCAKE!! I could not find mine! But wow, they are like exactly the same size with Karena sporting a bigger neckhole. And Epidia heads aren't big. (Mine was originally supposed to be a guy!! But I didn't realize how slender a neck the head needed and the Miro body I bought for him just didn't work. I'm happier now tho- I love my sweet little Jessalen!)

 

fishcake thanks so much for the comparison pic
from what i see in pic Epidia and Karena are about same size, this mean that is a medium head, more or less like an old angelsdoll female head for massive body.
Wouldn't be a problem to put onto a mirodoll body and turn into a guy, you've helped me a lot, thanks

 

$abbatha that sounds like a great idea--Karena would make a cute boy! The neck should fit fine.

Chalyss I had them handy so it was easy! I have Epidia on a boy body though she is still a "girl"--one of the Resinsoul male bodies. Once the Granado Maiden comes I will pop Karena on and we will see if it works for her little head; I will take photos! I like her sculpt so much, I am eager to get her together.

 

Spam your maiden photos Fish! I wanna see!

I definitely want to see Karena as a boy! He'd be so pretty! I might have to make mine a boy when s/he comes in... w/cute floppy ears. I want the special head version! But I'm staring at Fishcake's picture, scrolled so I can't see the girl body... oh yeah, maybe like Impl's version of a Soom Dia, hm? Not saying they did it for that reason, but the pretty boy sculpt... I saw a boy Delia! She makes a real cute he!

You know, throwing this out for all yous guys and gals out there... been trying to find an Impl sculpt that would work as a replacement IH Ashanti. It has to be someone with attitude and I'd want her on the new Star body. She is supposed to have African roots, so her skin would be dark tan. Ashanti is obviously of African origin, but who do you think could substitute? I am thinking maybe Sally... Though I wouldn't mind elf ears. *LOL* Or maybe just another Bella. But a curvier, stouter one.

 

I like Sally a lot-- and elf ears can be added! There is just something pleasant and sweet about Sally in her company photos.

 

I agree with fishcake on the matter, Sally would be perfect as a boy chalyss

 

For some reason, I wanna make Sally on an Idol body in green and make her She-hulk! Doesn't she look like She-hulk? Maybe it's just me.

She IS pleasant and sweet looking! *LOL* So not sure she'd have the attitude to pull off the character I want... guess it would depend on the face up..? Lower the brows, give her a smirk? Heck tho, if I see her as She hulk, she MUST have the attitude somewhere!

She would make a cute boy, too! Hmmmm...

 

Quick post cos I have to go to work- omg, hello Nancy! Guess she'll be in the yo-sd thread? And to get back on topic here's some Ziv and Tdelia spam

 

Yes, I think Nancy will be there.

And darn you people with OE Zivs! I am starting to want one...

 

lol...she-hulk would be awesome! Sally is on my way in the future maybe someday if I downsize my collection list.

 

hi everyone *waves* I'm back from my self-imposed exile from the internet (addictive personality - needed discipline!) having rediscovered the joy of sewing! ^_^ I didn't think it was possible as I've avoided sewing for years now, in spite of having naked dollies, but I mended my sewing machine, with the help of a brilliant youtube video! It wasn't really broken, it was just so clogged with fluff and so dry having never been oiled, I'm amazed it wasn't broken! Well you live and learn, even at my age ^_^

So I was very lucky to find an idol girl body on the MP yesterday, when I decided on impulse to have a look, even though I never normally look at the MP, or the forum any more! I can't wait to start sewing for her (I'm going to put my akagi ban head on it I hope - I am very fond of that head and don't want to add another doll to my small gang of 8 dolls, having managed to downsize them!) He's called Daniel, so she'll be called Danielle - a very easy name change ^_^

Meanwhile, I wanted to try sewing something for poor naked Richard (impldoll Tony) - yes he's still butt naked, as I can't find any clothes I like for his character! At least now he's wearing a half finished shirt ^_^ I am dreading those buttonholes though - This is just a prototype shirt to see if it fitted etc, and will try making long sleeves with cuffs next time! I just used an old pillowcase for this as it's a tester - but I've been wanting some really pretty shirts for Richard for ages, because he's such a pretty boy ^_^

Sewing! by elve, on Flickr

 

Hi Elve! Welcome back! I know what you mean about needing to discipline oneself! Congrats on getting the Idol body! I saw that one but I have no heads and no character for her... frick just thought of one... but no matter! I was hoping she'd go to a good home and she has! YAY! One where the owner can SEW! Awesome! I wish I knew how but that I'm now making my own wigs is actually a huge step for me so who knows? Maybe 20 years from now I will decide to learn how to sew, too! Your prototype looks so professional!
Please show us pics of your hybrid when she comes together, and niiiiice Tony! Man, I love that sculpt!

 

chalyss She-Hulk sounds like a very interesting project, maybe star male body would be better for the size of Sally head..but who knows..maybe Idol is good too. In case you can ask to IMPLdoll suggestion..

 

Hi elve! I just got some shirts from a friend-- and she sewed snaps on and then put the button on top so it looks like it buttons..but no buttonholes, and no fiddling to get them into the buttonholes!

 

Elve; So glad to see Richard getting a new shirt! I need to get back to sewing also, but I've been completely out of the mood for months now, but perhaps you are the inspiration I need! I've been away too, but lurking. The method Fishcake mentioned above, is the method I've always used...(when I sew)......buttonholes for doll clothes? Graaaak! Not me! I'd ruin the whole garment! (And have on occasion.)

 

$abbatha! That's genius! I could mod breasts onto a male body... well, it's an idea anyway. The Idol girl is pretty stacked and curvy, definitely a sturdy body and I love that! But the male Idol would have the muscles for She-Hulk, though none of her feminine curves. Hmmm... maybe I could mod a male torso for the abs to a girl body? Or just sand in some abs on the girl. Ooh so much to consider! Possibilities! *thinks and considers* The Starman might work too, you're right. If I didn't want her in scale or didn't care about that. And I may not, not sure yet. I've never shelled another creator's character so she wouldn't be part of any of my worlds. Though thinking about it, might be fun to have a new Starman Wonderwoman next to a She-Hulk Idol. Two Amazonian babes all muscular and stuff. WW is about 6ft but She-Hulk is taller so that might actually work well. Or even as new Star woman and Idol woman. Choices, choices!

*LOL* Fishcake, that's also genius! Those are my kind of buttons! And so smart for dolls.

 

thanks for the welcome chalyss Phew I was lucky to get that idol girl body if you were stalking the MP

genius idea fishcake - thanks for that tip!

lovely to see you again Grouchy *waves* Master that camera of yours so we can see your sewing and your dollies

 

chalyss thanks for credits i think that would be just great to have such muscles onto a female body, indeed a super heronine body. I also consider better, in my opinion, to mod male abs piece to fit onto female bust, so i assume that also idol female bust with starmale body would works just fine, proportion wisely?
EDIT i've check the measuraments and i think that the idol chest female could works nicely onto starmale abs..maybe you can also ask to IMPLdoll to mod it for you..

 

Thanks, $abbatha! I think that's a great idea! I will definitely look into it! A new Starman ab piece on an Idol girl body... oooh I like that a lot! Yes, I'll ask Impl about it, see if it works. I would love to have a She Hulk! I wonder if boy Model abs would work on a Starwoman body? Or maybe the old Starman abs on a new Star woman body for Wonder woman? Hmm....

 

chalyss with a little modding and a little of resourcefulness i guess that everything is possible in bjd hobby. Who knows, maybe IMPLdoll will find idea interesting to a point to consider for real a built muscled female body.

 

My hooves came WAY early! (like four days early!) THEY'RE HUGE

I made my first box opening thread, and to keep this on topic I only have one more payment left on my Chad and then he and my sister's doll are on their way home!!

 

$abbatha, I agree- and because I've seen the miracles BJD enthusiasts like you and Sicktress and Fishcake and so many others pull off! It's inspirational! A well-engineered muscular female body would be welcome in the hobby I think! And I will ask... my current custom order hasn't been started yet but will be very very soon; the red skinned Deborah Idol. However, that character, while actually the height of Wonder Woman, would do well to have a muscular belly so maybe she could be the first attempt. I'll talk to Impl and see if they're interested. I always drew Chalyss with muscles and fierce abs (not She-Hulk sized necessarily, but--). The human Rae version is filled by IH EID Yur, but the alter ego of Chalyss is going to be Impldoll Idol Deborah in custom red.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/chalyss/filenameChalice2.png
http://chalyss.deviantart.com/art/Chalice-2-7852105
http://chalyss.deviantart.com/art/Chalice-7852094

I should ask about the abs for her, no?

KICKINGSHOES, congrats! I think you'll find Impl Idol boys to be quite large as well... I seriously doubt the hooves will be too large or anything! I can't wait to see your Chad all decked out! Spaaaaaaam pics!!

 

Fab shirt, Elve, the fabric actually looks pretty good as it's nice and light - sometimes it can look too heavy on dolls. I both love and hate tiny buttons! Haven't attempted any myself - my preferred fastener if I'm making something is the hammer on press stud but I haven't seen any around for a while, never mind bjd sized.

I'm really intrigued by the idea of a She-Hulk-esque body. Given the visible ribs physique of the girls, carving abs in might make her look too thin, although clever shading could give the illusion of deeper muscle ridges. Using a male body piece would mean you'd lose the curves. Adding Milliput muscles is probably the way I'd go though I'd have to get someone to match the colours for me! There's pros and cons with each method so I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

I need to do a little Milliput modding myself unfortunately. In my attempts to fix my Model Eden's eyewells I sliced a bit out of his eyelid leaving him looking like this o.O But I'm determined to see my ****-up as a challenge so I'm considering attempting a bit of an eyelid on both eyes. Milliput isn't the easiest stuff to sculpt so if that doesn't work maybe a little Sculpy and a bath in boiling water will? My poor boy. Just hope I can fix him up before his body gets here. I was a bit sad to wipe him but had to be done.

 

And an update already!



Eden now has eyelids! I'm hoping I can sand out all the little imperfections once it's cured but it won't be until I can do his faceup that I'll be able to tell how successful I was.

 

Rubydoll, you work fast! He looks great! Can't wait to see the finished product!

I wrote to Impl about the male ab pieces but noticed if I did that, since the Idol female is a 2 piece body and not a 3 piece, that I'd have to chisel off her male bits. I would lose the curves of a woman, true, but she'd lose those anyway if she had nil body fat and was hugely muscular. It depends on what version you go with, but I think my fave is a mix of both feminine and built, so a John Byrne version of She Hulk and not the newer Super Amazon on Steroid type so many seem to be drawing her in these days (and they've taken WW that route, too). I could easily paint in the illusion of muscles which may be what I do in the end, but weighing options here and asking Impl their opinion... and if they plan on a muscular female body in the future.

 

rubydoll great job! Milliput indeed isn't easy to work, i've done a huge mistake on a very tiny head in the attempting to mod the eyes, so i've got to create eyelids with milliput and was not easy at all, sculpty deffo is a way much better, next time i will use that instead of Milliput.

chalyss i still see the muscular female body as possible project, i would try if i have the chance to honestly. I see that is possible and maybe IMPLdoll after seeing your custom could consider to create a female muscular body, i want that badly honestly and IMPLdoll offers many intersting sculpts and also offers custom skin color that to me would be a shame if company would not try.
Customizing a male abs onto a female body could be an hassle, still to me it's worthing a try

 

$abbatha SD sized eyelids were fiddly enough - think I'd need better tools and more patience for anything smaller! I tried the Milliput first because the Sculpey I have is the lower grade stuff which isn't anywhere near as good as the more expensive one. Buy cheap, buy twice! In the past for a larger project I used Milliput as the base shape then Sculpey over the top which worked well.

Chalyss yep, quite a productive rainy Sunday afternoon! Lol I think chiselling off male bits would be a fairly simple operation! Given that you can draw, maybe it'd be worth sketching a male figure in the style of Impldoll's bodies then adding on what you could add with Milliput? Might give an idea about what's achievable?

Impldoll's girls aren't exactly waif like, old style Star aside, so it would be interesting if they'd bring out a buffed up lady. If they can add scars for Chad, why not a six pack on a woman?

 

rubydoll thanks for the tips about sculpty, i will consider that next time..hopefully i will not again mod too much smaller heads
I agree also on the female abs sculpt, having a six pack abs style would be just great

 

Rubydoll, I LOVE that Impldoll girls are not waifish- I am not waifish and I need dolls to survive me. *L* I would very much like a muscular option on the girls- not so beefed up you're wondering what sex they really are, not so untouched that you wonder if her workout routine is a sit-up. I know the one other option had non-user friendly engineering and jointing and I would trust Impl to do it right. Yes, chipping off the 'junk' shouldn't be too hard though She Hulk would be in her custom green, of course- still, I don't plan on having her parade completely naked (kids in the house) so I can cover any resin changes.

It'd be easier if their new girls were 3 parters, and you could just swap out an ab piece b/c their arms are pretty well sculpted as-is. And I see there's more than just me interested in a buffer girl body!

 

Chalyss, lol, yes, I second that sentiment! I get nervous about my girl's delicate fingers but she's sturdy enough to survive a nose dive off a chest of drawers. And she doesn't make me feel I want to make her a sandwich to feed her up a bit! I've let my nine year old niece hold her without experiencing palpitations too.

The new Star and Idol ladies seem to have quite corseted waists, which is great if you're going for that look cos it's not like resin cinches well, but I hope if they did make a muscular female they'd give her a more natural shape.

And yeah, swap-out-able ab parts would be great- for the guys too - I didn't want my boys to have the same body but if there were an option for a less ripped version of it I'd have probably gone with that.

 

oh good grief what a disappointment - I got the idol girl body today (very good seller from MP though) but not so happy with the idol girl body! Although relieved there's no annoying pointy fingered hand any more ^_^ It is a very pretty body - I am not disappointed there at all, but so un-poseable! I was shocked, as I expected it to be as good as my idol boy, who is a brilliant piece of engineering. Hopefully a restring will help....But I personally dread and hate restringing, and she's so tight strung that the knees won't stay bent (and she insists on crossing her legs too) and the feet won't stand (flat feet - no high heeled ones). She barely sits up in fact, with legs straight! I have had to lean her against a wall and now psyching myself up for the dreaded restringing session today

In addition the feet are useless due to the ball on the ankle seeming being too small? Anyone else have this problem? Click on the photo for a better look - flickr seem to have changed their formatting again *sigh* I have just emailed impldoll with this photo to ask them about it - perhaps it's a one-off mistake with this doll?

impldoll idol girl feet by elve, on Flickr

ETA - restringing not going well I haven't actually had a heart attack yet though, so that's something positive - And I did find some silicon disks in my tool box, from fitting a new toilet seat last week LOL - well they looked useful so I kept them, and they're perfect cut down to go inside the bottom of the leg and make the ball fit better ^_^ Problem being I can't get her legs on anyway *sigh* Will have to buy some elastic I guess....

 

Oh ELVE, how sad! I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time! I don't have any Idol bodies yet but I hadn't heard of any problems with the foot joints. Looks like the EID male problem I always have with their older bodies. Yikes! Sueding might help? Wiring? I hate restringing too but do it sooooo often. Well this is disheartening! I hope someone with an Idol body can help you out!

 

Elve, it looks like the ankle balls are missing entirely..could they still be wherever the heel feet are? I'll put up some photos for you in a minute...here's my Delia feet...

 

thanks chalyss

and thanks fishcake but no the balls are there - but they are tiny so have been pulled right up inside the socket - I've sent the photo to impldoll to ask if they have any bigger balls for the ankle. Not sure if they'll understand though - but it's impossible for the doll to stand as the feet just swivel to the side constantly like in the photo.

I did solve the issue with the silicon disks I found, cut to size - one either side of the ball in the ankle made it perfectly fine - I just wondered if anyone else had this problem, as it seems such an unbelievably poor design, I thought surely it must be a mistake! I would guess being extra busy impldoll may have set on new staff and they're making mistakes - they certainly strung the doll wrong regarding the tension too - Seriously never had a doll so stiff it wouldn't even sit down or bend its legs! (Well they'd bend, but ping back straight the minute I stopped holding them bent - not much use!)

Anyway - I had to cut the elastic to get it out of the doll, and although the shorter piece has strung the torso to the main body piece just fine, I can't get the legs on, try as I might - near enough killed myself with the effort too. I will have to buy some elastic from ebay I guess - bungee shock cord is OK and should be quick delivery. Ugh

It is very tricky to string though - I'm not sure if the legs will even work if I string them differently (the elastic was crossed at the hip and went into the body cavity up to the head), but it's impossible to get the elastic through the body cavity without unstringing the torso again, and I'm not sure if I could do it even then *sigh* I'm sure no human could have strung that doll though - they must use machines?

 

You must have somehow gotten the wrong ankle balls, though that is an amusing fix. Mint on Card sells elastic and ships fast, buy twice as much as you think you need so you will have more later. I've found all the Impldolls except Fush's blue boy have been strung very, very tight--and it causes some breakage in transit, too, which is why Soom and Iplehouse ship theirs sort of floppy. (And I am so lazy I never tighten them up). My guess is that you might be able to swap in other EID feet in there as needed. If you lived closer I would experiment with making you sculpey substitutes.

Also, I think the Idol bodies are strung now like the Iplehouse ones, like the diagram in this post:

http://dollsartcats.blogspot.com/2013/03/frankendolling-and-no-flutter.html

 

oh that's interesting with the stringing diagram fishcake Thanks so much for the photo too! Yes it seems the balls in my girl's ankles are totally the wrong ones! They are so small there's about 1/4 inch around the ball as it rests in the foot! I wonder if the new Star girl body, having the same feet etc as the idol girl, they are mixing up the parts and I got the OLD Star girl's ankle ball? There is no little tab sticking out of it either, to lock the foot in place I guess?

And yes her being so tight strung, along with the wrong ankle ball, meant that her ankle was chipped badly (quite a big piece off it) when the previous owner got it. She sold it as she didn't like the ankles, she said in the listing - well for that price you'd expect them to build the doll properly! I have told impldoll anyway - let's hope they're more careful in future

I didn't realise they were normally so tight strung either fishcake - my idol boy is the only other impldoll I have and he's somewhat loose around the middle and slews over to the side constantly! Far preferable though - he's a great poser for it ^_^ I'm really not sure how my girl was strung though - When I took off the S-hook the elastic just went inside the body and rested on the inside hip piece. I've ordered a yard of bungee cord from ebay, which should come Friday, so I'll try stringing her the iplehouse way I think ^_^

 

Here's a sort of diagram I made for my blog:

http://gypsyreggae.com/blogstuff2015/May2015/imp_string_idol.jpg

elve it sounds like that body had a lot of issues ...the Idol boy body I love a lot, though!

 

ah that's a brilliant diagram - thanks so much fishcake! I'm pretty sure my girl wasn't strung like that, but that's how I'll be doing it when I get my elastic on Friday ^_^

 

Fishcake, is it possible to string the doll the Old Fashioned Way? One body piece, one arms piece? I see the arms are still familiar in your diagram, but why two lengths that crisscross at the legs? Is it superior? Will my doll implode if I do it a different way? Or is it just the internal structuring now?

 

When you get rid of the hip cuts, it forces the string to go up the center of the doll, and that sort of throws off everything else--it makes the waist joint pop because there isnt the pressure of the strings an inch or so apart in the torso to hold it steady. (I think that is why Iplehouse dolls don't have the waist joint anymore). And if you try to do a single circuit of elastic, the elastic has a bit of directional grain and it tugs on itself where it crosses in the pelvis, until one leg gets tighter than the other..sort of like a skirt riding up on panty hose. So if you do two elastics you have a lot more control over the individual leg tension and you can adjust as needed without having to unstring the whole doll.

Personally I think it was a step backwards, engineering-wise, to go for the closed hips. I mean, the doll is going to have joint cuts anyway and why would you get a tiny aesthetic plus when the doll is a pain to string and won't sit or pose as well? (Because the position of the string entering the thighs makes the legs want to cross, unless you put in some kind on engineering to pull the elastic to the side). The x cross inside the hips is also why the Idol (and some Iplehouse dolls) tend to flop backwards.

BTW with the Impldoll Idol you can get them to sit better by rotating each leg a bit- so the knees point away from each other, there is something that looks like a catch to keep them in position inside the hips if you do that, but I haven't had a chance to sit and really look and see how it works.



Elve, I suddenly realized you said the pointy hand is gone--maybe your Idol girl is an even newer version? Could you take photos of her when you have her apart? So my diagram may be wrong if they are using the Granado method of stringing.

 

wow I didn't realise doll stringing was so technical fishcake - I guess it's engineering though, so bound to be complicated! ^_^

And yes the doll is nearly new - the seller just got it this Spring from Angelesque in the UK - But I really have no idea how it was strung before I released the elastic from the head hook - I should have had a look inside first I guess, but I am a restringing newb and it's something I avoid doing as much as possible! I haven't had a good experience of restringing yet - and usually sell a badly strung doll (or bits of a doll!) after it all goes hideously wrong LOL
Meanwhile the seller tells me Angelesque is contacting impldoll about it - so hopefully they will send her the correct balls for the feet eventually - although if I've managed to string it with the padded out small balls, I don't think I'm going to want to restring it again for anything LOL - Oh and that reminds me I don't think a yard of elastic will be enough for that stringing method, so I'll have to order some more from ebay *sigh* I'll wait and see if it's the right thickness and type first though - it's just bungee shock cord in 6mm. Meanwhile she is on my bedroom floor in bits, wrapped in the duvet cover! I am just dreading the day I accidentally tread on this bundle LOL - I am a total accident prone clutz so it will happen! ^_^ I thought she was just going to be there for a day but it looks like it will be a week at this rate, if I need more elastic - I might try making her some clothes, even though she's in bits ^_^

The hands are really pretty though - very graceful - not sure if you can see from this photo but it's one I already have on my flickr - I do like the boobs too LOL - I was dreading them looking too big and top-heavy, but I think she's perfectly proportioned - she's very chunky and BIG overall - it's a really lovely looking body I think, if it's been assembled properly ^_^

impldoll idol girl body by elve, on Flickr

 

That is pretty! You may find the 6mm is a little thick to go through the channels--I usually try to get 5mm max and I actually prefer 4.5 because it's a bit stretchier; I found a 100 meter spool of it on ebay a couple of years ago and only just now got towards the bottom of it. Ebay in the UK has good elastic often so you should be ok.

If you have a couple of hemostats and a yard of thin, tough ribbon that makes stringing way easier, as does a second pair of hands.

 

Elve, that is a lovely body and it's a shame you're having such difficulties with her. Restringing is a chore - I've only taken the legs off my boy but that was a pain as I put one of his thigh ball joints on the wrong way so I had to re-do that side! I think practising on a smaller doll helps if that's something you can do. I practically have a restringing kit thanks to him! I don't have hemostats yet but I have a heavy duty hair clip that does the same job. Ribbon for pulling the elastic through, crochet hooks for grabbing said ribbon when it gets stuck halfway and chopsticks for sticking in the loop while I hunt around for the S hook I just dropped and/or am now sitting on!

Fishcake do you use normal elastic or bungee cord? I've just ordered some of the latter from eBay because the last bit of my "good" elastic isn't quite long enough. I was impressed with myself at the time that I succeeded but it seems I passed kicky and got completely unable to move instead. I'm hoping bungee cord will have more stretch so it can be under tension and tight without being at its limit.

 

rubydoll bungee cord is stretchier--it doesn't last as long as regular elastic, but sometimes it's easier to find. It sort of stops contracting after a while, though. I've used both and I prefer the cotton-covered elastic. If you find it, buy as much as you can afford in 4.5 or 5 mm and you will be glad you did.

 

fishcake thanks so much for the review about the stringing way IMPLdoll uses for bjd. I can merely say that i agree also about Iplehouse stringing method, i own a SID Maria and she's impossible to balance sometimes, so yeah..i don't get this new way of stringing bjd honestly..i would love more engineering and less easthetic.

 

no I don't have hemostats - well I didn't want to do any more restringing EVER I guess just like changing nappies when you have a baby though, if you have BJD, you can't avoid it forever LOL - That's a great idea to use hair clips rubydoll - I have one which might do the job! I'm always so afraid of chipping the resin, I usually use a balled up teeshirt to hold the loop from vanishing up inside the doll again, but it's got a bit too much 'give' to be ideal.

Other than the problems I've had with this particular doll though, I am really relieved to find that the body I've wavered over buying for well over a year now, is much prettier than I was expecting it to be - it's beautiful! I prefer the longer legs on this torso, rather than the shorter legs which the Star version has - and yes it's busty but it's in proportion to the rest of the body I think. Will be great when impldoll offer the smaller busted Star version as an option though - way easier to dress I think ^_^

 

Fishcake, yes when I find some good elastic I'm gonna buy a load of it! I must have looked odd in the haberdashers pulling on the elastic and mumbling to myself!

And I love your analogy Elve, it's like a nappy change! Although I think I'm more curious about what's inside my doll than a nappy! When I do have to restring them I'm going to try separate leg strings rather than the loop. It sounds easier except the part where you have to get the tension right on two strings instead of one.

 

well as predicted, the 6mm elastic is too thick, and 1 metre is nowhere near long enough for these big dolls - So I've just ordered 5 metres of 4mm wide elastic from the same supplier - they were all out of 5mm and I thought it might be too thick anyway, judging by how thick the 6mm was. I now have a very 'useful' elastic loop though, which is surely bound to come in handy one day! ^_^
I guess it will be Tuesday before I get the elastic though - poor dolly I hope I don't tread on her by then! My son came dangerously close earlier....

The colour match with the Akagi Doll Ban head ('normal' resin) is obviously terrible, as Akagi 'normal' is more yellow, but I will either ignore it, have a headless body, or buy another head from impldoll ^_^ And although they have the same neck size, the shape on the Akagi head hole is wrong, so mobility is OK but it's not ideal. Impldoll so far haven't done a head I REALLLY must have though - except of course Bella, and she'd look a bit odd in pink I think! ^_^

 

Since we're on the topic of stringing I wanted to point out how difficult it has been for me to string the idol body with my soom phonolus leg parts.
I KNOW i need another string, but I am not sure what size i should get and how I should do it e.g should i string the legs with a yosd sized string and then connect it with the torso upwards with another yosd string? Because honestly the idol body string is pretty long except that it doesn't really get pass the fantasy feet without me scraping myself badly :/

 

I'm with you, $abbatha- less string and stress and more engineering! I actually like the front thigh slots that allow for easier sitting and posing. why do away with it? The reason I like BJDs so much is they're like giant action figures. Poseability is the rule of the day. Well, for me anyway. I'm sure there are many who'd rather have sleek and pretty over posing, and I can appreciate that too.

 

chalyss i agree..i guess i will never undestand why easthetic sometimes is predominant over engineering

 

azurevsaztec are the Phonolus leg holes unusually small? because it works better if you use longer pieces of continuous elastic in those fantasy legs, along with some wire to stiffen the shin/ankle/foot connections. The tiny elastic will make those heavy feet parts dangle and spin. How's the fit in the knees? (want a pic )

 

I use shock cord in most of my dolls, I haven't had any problems as of yet with them...the elastic is pretty tight in my Karena so I'm sure at some point I'll probably have to replace it..great to see the stringing photos ahead of time.

 

Well, I can just say the the holes in my Sphaler legs are really, as I know from Soom, awfully narrow (I used to own a centaur body by Soom).
I could not get Thor's original string to go through when I did the test stringing, I used some old, thinner elastic (3 mm, maybe?) to get these enormous dragon feet on.
Therefore, I have to figure something ouf for safe standing of this giant. Maybe carefully widening the stringing channels maybe an option.

 

hello- just jump here and wonder... as I was fooled with measurements so much often... think about getting Tony or Tank and wonder if somebody could give me the real girth of neck, the width of shoulders and the total height of those yummy idol guys
thanks cause ..... the ringdoll guy i received was totally different in the measurements as shown as on the homepae