Restringing (XagaDoll Mizzle & DikaDoll Yolanda Elf)

First off - there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of! It's not a rocket science - it's just taking pieces apart and putting them back together and you seem to have all the tools you need

I don't know if either of the sculpts have any anomalies in the way they are strung but you'll learn that once you take them apart. I'd recommend taking photos throughout this so you have something to reference later. To make it easier, make sure left and right side parts are not mixed up. Don't cut the new elastic before you've done this!

Now that you have the previous elastic loops set aside, you can cut the new ones in a similar size - better have a bit spare slack than not enough elastic, you can tighten the knots to your liking later.

The problem I've found with elastic from ACBJD is that it is cut with one loop for arms and one loop for both legs and body in mind - this is not necessarily how all dolls are strung (some have separate loops from neck to each leg; some have the legs strung separately from body) and you might find you need more than you got from Alice's so make sure you have enough spare elastic on you (also in case you cut something too short).

And then you just... string the doll together! I usually do the arms first and then the legs from neck to feet. I know you don't want to do threading, but depending on how tiny and curvy the holes are, you might need some craft- or floral wire to help you guide the elastic through at some point so it's still good to have it around.

Wishing you good luck! Take it slow and steady and you'll be done with it in no time

 

I order mine from AliExpress (but you can also find it on Amazon) - search for shock cord or bungee cord in the sizes you need. They come in longer lengths and end up a bit cheaper than buying from dealers too

 

I've bought some elastic from a local craft store that specializes in sewing, knitting etc stuff so it might be worth checking any of those in your area. Also I've once bought some from Etsy from a seller I bought some doll eyes from but that seller no longer sells there.

I will echo the importance of keeping the pieces separated by their sides, I've accidentally strung legs wrong sides and it was a super tiny doll I really struggled to get back together and then I stared at him once I was finally finished and realized I got his legs wrong and had to redo the whole process

 

If you can, I'd rather aim for thicker elastic for the legs/body as it keeps tension better for the heavier parts, 3mm in my experience has not always been enough there. I've also used 4mm successfully, though it might be too thick for the neckhole in some cases.

 

I understand the nervousness, but once you've done it a few times, it's really not as big of a deal anymore. I promise!

If you think about it, a BJD is essentially just beads on a string. Oddly shaped beads on an elastic sting under tension, true, but still just bits of plastic with holes in them.

And there is more than one "right way" to do it, too. Any way that works will work.
Personally I never bother with hemostats, I use ribbons, thin wire and wooden dowels. Even the wire is mostly just for very small dolls, my MSD-sized dolls usually have channels large enough to just feed the ribbon through. I prefer this methos as I never really have to work under tension except for the very last step of removing the dowel, so the risk for slipping and hurting yourself or damaging the doll is almost non existant. It also makes it possible to check that the parts are on right before putting pressure on the joints so mistakes are easy to fix and again, the risk for damage is minimal.

Any method you choose, just go slow, pay attention to what you are doing and you'll be fine.
Of course, if you have someone local who can guide you through the process, that may be even better, but even on your own, you can do it.