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Jen · Newbie

Tummy Plates

2Beemomee · Member

Is there a book that shows how the belly plates are put on?

I hope to be able to add this to a doll I'm making.

Does anyone also know how the breathing mechanism is installed?

Thank you!
Andrea

Poisonivy14 · Senior Member

I'm sorry Andrea, but i don't know how to install a breathing mechanism, but i do know that there is a belly plate article in the 2008 secrist catalog. if you want one of the books, you can find them at dollsbysandie.com and i think secrist also still sells the 2008 book. hope i could help! biggrin

Tina W. · Guru

Most belly plates have small indentation where you punch the holes in if not I just use my kind of eye. Usually there are four two on either of the top sides and two on either of the bottom.

Jen · Newbie

Thanks Tina! More specifically, I'm wondering how to use the punches. If anyone knows how to use the punch set, I'd really like to know.

Thanks very much!!

sara zata · Guru

Seeing they are only vinyl, I'm pretty sure you could just use a large doll needle and stitch it on. I use a heavy duty thread used in making and recovering lounges, I double it pull it through and tie off, dab a bit of glue in it to stop it from coming undone and tuck it under. I usually do this on porcelain shoulder plate and little porcelain bottoms but then they have the holes put in them before they are turned to bisque. XXXXX June.

Buffington · Guru

Punches are pretty standard to use:
Put your doll torso on something hard (like an anvil or flat top of a vise). then position the punch where you want the hole, strike the punch with a hammer, then remove the vinyl from the hole.

As far as placement of the holes: if you're using the entire torso as a plate, make holes on front and back plate so they line up with each other. I usually make one on the shoulders, two on the sides and one on the bottom. Then I run ribbon through them and tie. Like June said, I usually tuck the ribbon inside so as not to be lumpy under the clothing.
If your just doing a tummy or tushy plate, just make the holes in the right places so they hold the plates on.

Like Ivy said (if you want to "see" how it's done), there's a tutorial in the 08 magazine. Hope this helps