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Tuesday

A New Model Coming Soon

I have been tempted on several occasions to purchase an American Girl doll purely as a model for making a new range of clothing. However, I'm not overly fond of soft body dolls and have never really liked that the neckline on these dolls doesn't look the best as you can see in this photo.


So in my search for a suitable replacement I found this little home bred sweetie on eBay . . . Matilda, an Australian Girl.

Australian Girl dolls are 50cm tall (5cm taller than American Girls), made from firm phthalate free vinyl. They have two thirds soft body with a vinyl breastplate which, unlike most soft body dolls, makes it possible for them to wear garments with lower necklines.

They have strong fully rotational ball joints with durable elastic cord, can stand alone and be posed in different positions. The hair is finest quality kankelon (used in human wigs) and can be washed and styled.

Although a new American Girl sells for around US$115, by the time you add international shipping and then convert it to AU$'s they work out costing over $200. So at AU$159.95 with free delivery, I thought Matilda was a reasonably priced purchase.

She's being shipped via Fastway Couriers from Queensland, and her ETA is 22nd May.

She also has the bonus of red hair, green eyes and little teeth. :)
Hugs till next time!


12 comments:

  1. Hello Sandy,
    She is just beautiful. I cannot wait to see what wonderful clothes you will create.
    Big hug
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giac,
      Thank you, I think she will be a great model and I have already begun knitting a new outfit which I hope will fit her. :)
      Big hugs,
      X

      Delete
  2. A very cute redhead, and her outfit is also lovely! I bet you'll love making outfits for her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda, being a little larger than most of my vinyl dolls and much larger than my BJD's I think I will enjoy sewing something less fiddly for a change. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  3. You will enjoy Matilda! I have Matilda and Emily. I bought them last time I was in Australia, probably from the 'Real Toys' store in Ashburton. It looks like they have changed Matilda's outfit. (I have the denim pinafore dress.) I have quite a few American Girl dolls and I too
    dislike the soft body being visible with lower necklines. That is one feature that is really cool about the Australian Girl dolls.
    (I only wish that I could change the eyes. I have been too spoiled by the ability to change the eyes on BJDs)
    Enjoy your new acquisition!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sam!
      It's been a while. I am looking forward to seeing her in the flesh, I saw a YouTube comparison between the two and I noticed her head has a better range of movement than the American Girl dolls, which is important when posing these dolls for photos. Yes, this one is a later edition, which I think was released at the end of last year. Mmm I thought the eyes may pose a problem being sleep eyes, I wonder if anyone has tried replacing them? Might do some poking around to check that out later. :)
      Thanks, I think I will, so check out my new store every now and then to see what I make for her.
      Big hugs,
      X

      Delete
  4. She's quite cute! She shouldn't take long to arrive at all! I have seen those big dolls (I think they are the journey girls) at Toys'R'Us. They are big aren't they! Is that the same size as the American Girls?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alasse,
      Thanks! No she is 5cm taller than Journey Girl & American Girl dolls. I am hoping clothes I make for her will also fit the JG & AG even though there is a slight difference in body size too . . . will have to see. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  5. Hi Sandi,

    I knew about American Girls, which look lovely despite that soft body (I don't like soft bodies either) but I didn't know about Australian Girls. Matilda is cute with that red curly hair, her outfit is nice too. I hope you can enjoy her very soon.

    Greetings ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lily, I only have one other soft body doll, but she's really a "prop" for my vintage crib, I don't dress or play with her.

      Matilda is going to be renamed Pippy as I have something in mind for her other than being a model. :) Depending on the quality of her clothes, I may decide not to keep them . . . I just hope they don't have Velcro.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  6. What a cutie Sandi, I do like these girls and agree on the AG neckline, I'm not bonding with my girl for that very reason :( I prefer them to have the vinyl breast plate. I have my Bonnie and Pearl Claudia if I ever need a model but the AG girl just stands there....such a shame as she has a nice face.
    I look forward to seeing your new girl next week when she arrives :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'll be able to cope quite well with the soft body on this doll Sharon, simply because you cannot see any of the fabric body when she's dressed. I haven't seen many Bonnie and Pearl dolls around, are they the same size as the American Girls? It's such a shame you can't bond with her because of the body, I wonder if AG will ever modify this.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete

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