How Long Did It Take You To Put A Doll Together?

Considering my track record, in my case it wouldn't be very reasonable to expect me to finish a doll in just months rather than years. I think the fastest ones have taken me a year or two to finish, and back then my criteria for what finishing a doll entailed was much lower. Earlier on I used to consider a doll finished once I had made them a faceup and a piece of clothing or some accessories and then bought all the rest, but nowadays I don't feel content before I've made them a wig, a faceup, a "fullset" (1 outfit + all the accessories it takes to make it feel like a complete look in my eyes), only buying the eyes and shoes (if they wear any) so it's no wonder it's been taking longer to finish them.

It used to stress me out to have a lot of unfinished dolls, but thankfully at some point in the past year I was finally able to internalize the fact that there's absolutely no point in me trying to finish them as fast and perfect as possible if I'm not even enjoying the process. And funnily enough, ever since that I've been actually working on my dolls way more than I used to. Who knew it would be way easier to get stuff done when it's actually enjoyable?

 

Technically my current SD Odette is “finished” but i had to cheap out on a lot of her look since I can no longer work due to my disability ah. Not the greatest eyes, reusing a custom American Girl doll wig I already had, did the faceup myself when I’d much prefer a professional do it, I also had to sell her body since I needed money, so she’s sitting on my dollfie dream body XD. Poor girl is a mess, I started her in january of 2023 but probably will not be able to afford a new body, eyes, and faceup until at least next year. So basically at least 2 years it’ll take to finish her since I’m low-income lol.

 

It depends on the dorrie character I have in mind that requires either going hybrid or frankendoll route. In my collection, my only frankendoll takes the cake: got AngellStudio LE Rebus head in 2009, his IOS Class70 body in 2016 (with the jointed claw hands and horns in between) and finally, getting him all painted (face-up, jointed hands dye, etc.) just last year 2023.

Adding the years, that's got to be more than a decade until completion.

 

It's still going. I got a floating Volks Amakusa head in 2008 in hopes I would gather the parts later. It was faster to get a complete doll (Volks Amakusa with original limited edition default face-up, eyes, wig, clothes, shoes, box, etc) 8 years later than completing the floating head it's own parts. So...16 years and still counting. I'm so sorry floating head. Mommy has other priorities.