Maintenance So you bought a complicated doll, and now you're unstringing it (plz help)

I think the advice of filming yourself unstringing is so that if you get confused you can go back and reference the way it was string originally as you rewatch.

 

I do have to agree with filming yourself while you unstring the doll, or take step by step pictures. It is so that you can go back and see what you did.

It is very daunting at first and I will be the FIRST to admit that even after restringing my own dolls without fantasy parts, I still can screw them up putting them back together. Just take everything as slowly as possible.

I also tend to build the dolls on the ground as they should be restrung. So you already have the parts laid out where they need to go and the only real "big" thing that you need to worry about is the elastic itself. I wish I could provide you an actual "magical" way to restring your specific doll, but it's mostly all trial and error.

 

if the video thing doesnt do you any good, ive used a metal sewing needle (tiny size 4) to thread at joints when removing hooks. then just sort of take it appart peice by piece. not a fast process but ive found it helpful.

also one thing i learned from a more difficult doll: doesnt really matter if the restringing matches company long as the tension is there. for her, i went in with totally new strings cause the one she came with snapped on me. some how her whole body was on 1 string?? shes got 4 different strings now.

 

Sometimes doing your 'own way' of stringing is also better than the company stringing. Soom used to (? not sure of they still do that) use one string for the legs up to the hips, and one string from head to hips, which was ridiculous...
What might help is also to just mark the parts - like a small '1' on the first leg parts, 2on the second. And a picture of her assembled and marking the parts there too.

 

DV has been posting stringing guides for their dolls on Weibo for some time, good they were able to send you the one for Rita when asked.

I will say following their example solo is not always totally possible though, with the ones I've done I have definitely needed assistance and extra tools doing the parts their guide does with the power of arm strength and wire alone