CUSTOMIZE? WHERE TO START?

But don't stop there.  A change in a hemline, a few beads or charms, or a bit of lace or ribbon can make a purchased garment your own.  If you're feeling really adventurous, purchase a simple, solid color sheath or gown and embellish with seed or bugle beads (available at any fabric, craft, or large department store), or try some simple hand embroidery.  With a little practice and persistence, your hand embellished gown can be a creation worthy of a Mackie showroom (ok, maybe with a lot of practice!) 

Another alternative is to learn to sew!  A sewing machine often produces a more professional look, but, with little practice, a hand sewn garment can be absolutely stunning.  After all, true couture is entirely hand tailored!  If you're an absolute beginner, start with something simple - very simple.  Perhaps a strapless dress that requires just a few darts (darts are just stitched folds in fabric - not complicated at all).  There are many, many professional patterns for all sizes of fashion dolls from companies such as McCall's, Butterick, and Vogue.  Know the measurements of your doll to ensure that you buy the right size pattern.  Simple, straight cut garments are the best.  When you improve your skills, you can move on to sleeves, flounces, peplums, trains, pleats, gathers, shirring...whatever you envision!  Remember, even the simplest garments can be lavishly decorated as discussed above!  If you're just starting out, you'll want to practice your new skills on some inexpensive fabric at first.  Keep in mind that a yard of fabric can yield several simple dresses.  As your skills increase, you can invest in higher quality fabrics with confidence! 

For those of your who crochet or knit, good for you!  Pull out your smallest size needles or crochet hooks and have at it.  Just remember, the thicker the yarn or thread, the bulkier the garment.  Commercial instructions for knitted or crocheted doll clothes are available in many fabric, craft, and large department stores. 

The last alternative is to have a friend or relative with tailoring skills sew the garment for you.  You choose the pattern, fabric, and trim, and let her (him) do the rest!  Technically, it's still your design.  You think Vera Wang sews all those clothes herself?  Think about it! 
ACCESSORIES 
Here's a chance for you to really unleash your creative juices!  The next time you're in a department or drug store, take note of how many knick-knacks you see that would make a perfect...whatever.  The craft isle is especially fruitful.  Miniature woven baskets and hats can be embellished with ribbon and beads to create beautiful accessories.  Keep a written list of doll measurements (or better yet, an actual doll).  Miniature green stemmed ribbon roses make a great gown embellishment, or doll hair adornment, or bridal bouquet!  Fabric butterflies can transform a fashion doll into a fairy or an angel (incorporate the wings onto the back of a dress or shirt).  I could give a thousand more suggestions, but you get the idea!  These items often sell for under $2.  And don't forget to look around your house.  A piece of broken costume jewelry can be disassembled and transformed into doll earrings, a necklace or a bracelet.  Purchased doll shoes can be embellished with beads (sewn or glued to the shoe), or decorated with acrylic paints and/or glitter.  Accessories can include jewelry, purses, tote bags, hats, shopping bags, hair ornaments; whatever your mind can envision! 
COMPUTERS 
What did we ever do without them?  Your computer can enhance your hobby in more ways than you think.  First, take a cruise down the information superhighway (the internet).  Here you'll find sites featuring many doll items for sale such as hand tailored outfits, clothing patterns, custom doll jewelry and accessories.  You'll also find a wealth of information about doll collecting in general as well as customizing (see our Links section for more info about these sites). 

But the fun does not end here.  Your computer can be used to create customized, miniature shopping bags, newspapers, books, and magazines.  Select your favorite colors, type a logo with a fancy font, print, fold and paste, and you have a customized shopping bag.  You can personalize a doll shirt or dress with a saying or an image by printing the image on iron-on paper, and ironing the image unto the doll garment or tote bag.  Iron-on transfer paper for computer printers can be purchased at most office supply stores or larger department stores.  Once again, these suggestions are just a start, not an end.  Let your imagination be your guide. 
DOLL ALTERATION 
This is a very rewarding aspect of doll customizing.  An alteration can be as simple as a new shade of lipstick or altered hairstyle, or as drastic as a complete hair re-root or remolding of body parts.  If you'd like to try your hand at alteration, your best bet is to start with a thrift store doll in good condition, or an inexpensive boxed doll.  Here's where you'll want to make your trial and errors - not on your very best, or most expensive doll.  Start out simple.  Try giving your doll a new coat of lipstick.  Acrylic paints are best for this - you can wash off your mistakes with water until the paint dries (after that, you'll have to use acetone paint remover or acetone based nail polish remover).  Use the smallest, pointed tip brush you can find (around a size 0).  These brushes can be purchased inexpensively at a craft or large department store.  Be sure to keep brushes clean!  When you're ready, you can move onto eye paint.  A start might be as simple as a new shade of eyeshadow or a touch of highlight to the eye itself.  As your skills improve, you'll be inspired to attempt an entire eye repaint.  Just be sure to practice, practice, practice (stock up on those thrift store dolls)! 

If the thought of rendering a doll bald scares you silly, there are ways to alter hair without re-rooting.  Hair color can be changed using fabric dye.  Since doll hair comes in different fibers and thicknesses, you might want to experiment to see which type of hair best lends itself to re-coloring.  Blond hair is best for re-coloring since the light color of the fiber allows the new color to be the most true and vibrant.  Hair can be curled using boiling hot water and doll sized rollers or bobby pins.  Again, you'll want to experiment since different fibers respond diferently to the hot water.  Be sure not to allow the hot water to get on the doll's scalp or face since it may damage the doll's paint or vinyl.  Polymer elastic bands (such as those used by orthadontists) are perfect hair styling aids, because they don't damage the doll's hair as ordinary rubber bands could.  These may be purchased in the hair care section of your local drug or department store (or perhaps your local orthadontist will sell you some if you just ask).  These bands come in many colors, including clear (perfect for all hair colors)!  Try braids or beads to enhance a new hairstyle! 

If you think you're brave enough to try your hand at re-rooting, you may purchase doll hair at your local craft, fabric, or large department store.  Or cruise the isles of your local beauty supply store for packages of hair sold typically for the human version of a re-root - weaves!  Hair comes packaged in many different colors, curly, wavy, or straight.  There are various ways to re-root hair, but essentially, you're removing the dolls original hair and replacing it with new hair by threading several strands of hair through the pre-existing holes.  This can be done with a long, slim, large-eyed needle.  Hair may be knotted or not, it's up to your descretion.  The needle should be sturdy, but not too thick.  A thick needle may split the vinyl in the doll's scalp.  Also, keep in mind that the more strands of hair you string through your needle, the thicker the resulting hair will be.  Check out one of the many doll customizing web sites or books if you want more details on this subject.  Once the entire head has been re-rooted, the hair may be styled as desired!  Once again, I suggest using a thrift store doll to perfect your re-rooting skills before moving on to more expensive or beloved dolls! 
A FINAL NOTE 
Doll customizing is a highly personalized art form.  The changes you make can be as subtle or as drastic as you'd like.  They may be themed (fashion eras, celebraties, etc.) or ecletic.  But the satisfaction lies in the knowledge that the final product of your creation is your own!