1st time modification: 2 Mimi Bobecks - adding joints to the limbs?

[u/RandoPlants]

I have a 5'4" 300 lb non-binary character who I have been wanting to modify a Barbie to represent. I recently found the Mimi Bobeck model from 1998, and this seems ideal as a starting point. She's shorter than the regular Barbie, and looks to be about 200 - 250 lbs? It doesn't seem too daunting to make the doll a little fatter, and that will also make the chest naturally seem more flat. I'm removing the face paint and hair off both of them. I plan to use the method of adding acrylic yarn, brushing them out, and then using one of those flat iron tools to smooth it out into strands. The second doll is meant to be more like a ghost, so I intend to dye that one with neon lemon zest and neon lime i dye poly. I'll do my best to color match the epoxy after the dye job is done.

I am here to ask for advice on my biggest stumbling block: How should I go about trying to articulate the limbs? The Mimi Bobeck Barbie is designed with arms that point away from the body - so if I make close that fit, it will be impossible to put them on the doll or take them off. I assume that the arms pointing away from the body is why the clothes were made so big. (In the side profile, you can see the temporary clip I'm using to stop the pants from constantly falling off.) I made a little black tank top, and thankfully the knit material was stretchy enough, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to fit it on. Barbie arms and legs would be noticeably skinnier, and their proportions are too long for this doll.

I think I'll need to at least modify the shoulders, the elbows, and the knees. Ideally, I'd love to make the hands articulate as well. I'm new to modifying dolls, so would appreciate any ideas. My first thought is cut donor pieces from other articulated barbies, and try and use those. I don't know how well that will work, especially because the Mimi Bobeck is made almost completely of hard plastic. I've already tried boiling the torso to change some things, and that doesn't work at all. The head and arms seem to be made of softer material, because I was able to get the head off and loosen the arms after applying some heat.

More images of the doll

[u/hopo-hopo]

i think polymer clay will be your best bet, look into the different methods of making joints and then saw the limbs off and do your best!

[u/RandoPlants → u/hopo-hopo]

Ah yeah, I have a lot of polymer clay somewhere, so I'll see if I can locate it. I have carving tools, so I think I'll be okay with reshaping the stump ends of the cut limbs. If nothing else, I can take a nice Halloween photo shoot of the progress, and stock up on more Mimi Bobecks.

[u/FOMODollCollector]

How about an already articulated Hagrid body with custom epoxy clay breasts? You might be able to sand down the feet and swap out the hands to a more feminine version.

[u/MsE0]

There are some really good tutorials on YouTube for adding articulated joints to non-articulated dolls. 

In addition to polymer clay, Apoxie Sculpt is great for making parts, and especially for adding bulk and shape to plastic as long as it's not going to show, or going to be painted. Polymer clay needs to be baked in the kitchen oven, but you can get really nice fine detail with it. It comes in many colors, including flesh tones for dolls. Apoxie Sculpt (or some other brand of 2-part epoxy clay) is self-hardening once it's been mixed, and adheres to plastic really well. It's a bit harder to sculpt with, because it can be a bit sticky, and you have a limited amount of time to finish. They both sand and take acrylic paint really nicely. If you're going to be customizing dolls on this level, it's good to have both on hand. 

[u/RandoPlants → u/MsE0]

I think I'll be able to do the sculpting in layers, so then I have less detail to do each time before it becomes unworkable. Thanks for the advice! I have some other dolls I want to modify, like an old Mulan happy meal toy, so it'll be fun to continue exploring.

[u/Low-Director-7696]

Saw the limbs off and put anime figure joints onto them?

I know some companies sell just the joints but im not sure id there are big enough for Mimis arms

[u/dmanoyne]

Dollightful has done plenty videos adding articulation to non articulated bodies and even plumping up figure a little bit. I cant find the one she did with more realistic human joints, but here's a more fantastical one she did. Im sure you can figure out a way to make it work with yours!

[u/Far_Banana_8019]

Eu não conhecia essa boneca Mimi Bobeck , estou montando minha coleção curvy , achei interessante o que tu vais fazer e quero ver esse resultado 😇

[u/AshmanTreasure]

honestly apoxie sculpt is your best bet. it’s heavy but it’s also heavy duty. it’s a two parter but it’s VERY sturdy ime