At what scale do you start buying accessories?

I love making props for the 1/3 scale. It's easier for me to mimic texture at that scale, and the prop's presence is more substantial which is very nice. I also enjoy sewing for the 1/3 for similar reasons and it's easier to match the scale when stitching.

I usually don't make props for my tinies since they seem to be the easiest to find already made props for. Also, soooo tiny! It's difficult for me to make things look real at such a tiny scale. Kudos to those who can! I will and do add some paint texturizing to small props sometimes to add some realism, but making things so tiny is not fun for me.

 

You are probably having a hard time finding things that fit your BJD, because most if not all of these types of dolls are not in scale. As a collector of 1:6 scale action figures, it's a pain in the gut finding Barbie and 30cm baby BJD stuff listed as 1:6. Scale is meant to represent a real life object at that many times smaller than the real object. It doesn't change, nor vary due to height nor style of toy/doll.

I am not a seamstress, but I prefer sewing all my dolls clothes myself. I have a particular style in mind for most that is not popular, so I kind of have to. I still haven't tried sewing for dolls under 25cm, not sure how I would do (probably horrible because I am terrible at sewing as is, without the added challenge if tinier sizes). I don't make a lot of props, since I don't really collect many. I do enjoy making wigs quite a bit, despite me being terrible at it as well. The tiniest wig I've made so far is for a 1:6 scale action figure female head sculpt, so much smaller than a Barbie or any BJD I own so far.

I used to purchase wigs in the past, but I like "natural" looking hair bulk in my toys. (:

 

I like sewing for 1/3 more, I have mostly 1/6-1/8 mature tinies but I'm too imprecise to sew for them very well. But I like making wigs for tinies more because it doesn't take such a painfully long time & also my preferred fibers look better on that size imo. I also prefer making props/dioramas for 1/6 scale because I can do a lot more in a smaller amount of space, and use more moveable components.

 

I like making clothing for 1/3 the most- it's easier for me. Oddly enough though, I like making wigs and props and such for 1/4 and smaller.

Scale I'll never do? I don't sew for anything smaller than 1/4. I've tried it and the frustration with all those teeny tiny seams just made me mad. I buy the clothes for my tinies.

 

I like things on the 1/12-1/4 scale, although the 1/4 scale is fairly new to me. I had a lot of props and stuff from other things that fit the 1/12 scale very well any some were also able to be used for the 1/6 scale. I don't have much for 1/4 scale but it's much easier making things like clothes for them since I don't have to work with very tiny or fine details that 1/12 dolls need. On the other hand, making things props like food or finding backdrops of suitable sizes are much easier for the 1/12 scale.
I don't think I'll work with a 1/3 scale since I don't have a doll of that size and it seems a bit too large for me. Since dolls of such sizes are also so large, they'll require extra attention to details and I don't think it'll be easy finding props of suitable sizes other than online shops or building your own.

 

I would say, going by actual doll size would probably be an easier way to find things that fit. Like if your doll is 45cm, trying to search for things that work on dolls that size, then go by other body measurements from the sellers if they are available. It's probably a whole world of difference, if you're looking for props, because you might find that a few things might work, but others won't depending on your doll representing an adult person or a child. Because a scaled miniature actually stands for something, and not just how tall a doll is. If your doll is a child 45cm BJD, but you search for 1:4 scale props, they will look too small, unless you are looking for the props to look to size, like in a child's bedroom. Similarly for dolls that are baby or child BJD at a height of 30cm, but you look for 1:6 furniture that's mostly meant for mature figures to look good around, the props will be also too small or make the child look a giant, because that's what a 30cm baby BJD would be at 1:6 scale. Again, scale doesn't change due to height. A real-life person is not a different scale because they are taller or shorter than other people -- real life humans are all consider real-life-scale, regardless of how tall we are. Most people who only collect BJD or only make/sell stuff for BJD, don't care about the wrong use of the term "scale" however, so it's confusing for anyone just learning about these dolls. There are a few (or a bit more than that) threads about it, all over the forum. If I didn't collect scaled miniatures prior to learning about BJD, I would have probably been as confused if not worse. DX

Good luck in your search, for stuff that works for your dolls! (:

 

I’ve sewn for playline dolls and past a certain point you just have to accept that “cheats” like fabric glue or fray check are the only way to get a certain result at that size lol. But once you’re familiar with them it’s a lot of fun!

In general there seems to be way more pre-made stuff for 1/6 to 1/12 than larger scales though you can definitely make creative use of keychains or children’s items.

 

I'm getting them at 1/3 scale.
Most of my dolls are 1/3, but I also really like how furniture and accessories look at that size the most.

 

I like to make their clothing no matter the size, but if I purchase clothing, it's usually for my bigger dolls, especially the 70cm+ ones. I can sew street wear, and dresses fine, but those tailored suits are beyond my current skill. I'll make them pants sometimes, but a blazer, jacket, lab coat, whatever, I just am not that good at sewing yet. My smaller dolls, I sew for them all the time.

Props are just the opposite. It is so easy to to buy props for the msd and smaller dolls, I have entire furniture sets for them. But the furniture and props, for SD and larger gets really pricey. I make their furniture because it's easier and more cost efficient then buying it for me. They have a nice living room, and a portable bed, but I would really like to make those big 'uncles' more stuff.

 

I don't like sewing for anything smaller than 1/3 most of the time, though I will depending on what it is. I don't currently own tiny dolls, but I have a YoSD dress pattern I did so many times that it became very easy for me to do, and on even smaller dolls, when a ruffle and a ribbon and a snap could become a full dress, I didn't mind doing that. But elaborate costumes/ No way on anything smaller than 1/3, mayyyybe 1/4, but that's a big maybe.

I didn't make many props for tinies, since those tended to be pretty easy to find in Barbie or dollhouse scale. Larger scale items are a little harder to find, so I made quite a few when I still had my dioramas. I think this also requires a lot of creative thinking--lots of things can be repurposed for doll stuff! Like placemats can be rugs, jewelry boxes can be furniture, pencil cups can be trash cans, mini picture frame stands can be TVs, I've seen novelty lighters in everything from hairdryers to guns to gas tanks. GameStop used to carry little tin gift card holders shaped like gaming consoles that worked well for SD and MSD. A lot of prop making it just about using your imagination more than working on tiny, difficult projects.

 

I don't make props or accessories, but I've only ever bought props for 1/4 scale. I do want to eventually buy 1/3 scale items, but I don't know where to get 1/3 guitar props.