"Ugly" doll transformation.

[prttynpnk]

First a fabulous after picture:


I found this doll at the Goodwill, I spent $2.13 on her (I paid for her using the spare change in my purse). I thought this was an "ugly" before because she was so sad and forgotten. And she had been trapped in that awful box for years!!!! I think she's from the 70's but I'm not sure, I couldn't find out too much about her using the info I got off the box and the internet.

Here's how I found her:


The box was all torn up, it had masking tape holding it together, but she was still inside the "unopened" original box. She was part of the "American Gem Collection" by the Uneeda Doll Co. She is the "Virginia" doll.

I knew she had potential, I loved the look of her face.


I opened the box, unfastened her from the cardboard, and removed her old clothes. She was covered in a layer of grimmy dust (which you can see on her clothes in the pic) and smelled musty and gross. In this picture is her bonnet, dress, shoes and underwear that she came with.



And the dramatic tranformation. First she had a new dress custom made and fit just for her. Then she cut her hair into a cute bob that is slightly shorter in the back (just like mine). She had her shoes changed from blue to black and picked out some awesome accessories to match. She feels like a brand new doll! And she couldn't be happier to be able to interact with the world. She also decided that she wants to be called Gina.



I hand sewed her dress using the cuff of an old sweater as the material, her accesories are scraps from a pair of sweatpants I had cut into shorts and I colored her shoes black with a permanant marker.

This is true to color:


A few more just for fun:


And this one shows of her hair:


Thanks for looking. I had a ton of fun doing this.

[manycrafter]

Nice job! I love the hair cut! Makes me think fondly of my mom, she used to love to pick up dolls at the thrift store and make dresses for them. She used to do fancy wedding dresses, mostly, because I think she loved all the lace. I love the modern look you chose, it is really cute.

[kjlutz]

Great job, I wouldn't recognize her if I didn't know where she came from. 

[ScotSkipper402]

Thank you, on behalf of the entire state of Virginia! She looks SO much better.

[lovesclutter]

Well, I love how Virginia transformed into Gina. I am a native of VA and am so proud of the job you did on her. She looks great, and I love, love love the dress and how smart was that?

[LiveLongandCraft]

You did a great job! She makes a good Gina (and I should know because I am one  )

[Belladune]

she's chic now! well done!

[PixieVal]

I've seen that same doll unopened at thrift stores before, I'm inspired to pick one up the next time I see one!

[Summerland1975]

Wow!  You are a TRUE visionary!  I love that you saw her in her down-trodden state and could visualize a new existence for her.  I hope you make more clothes for her.. I suspect she has gone from down-trodden to DIVA.

[MySweetDesign]

She looks so chic!
Love her new look and the dress just so nicely made!