Oh, my goodness, I had NO IDEA it would be so hard! Maybe my dolls wig was just stuck on with SUPER DUPER glue!
I had this idea to change the wig on my Ruby Red Fashion Friends, Freida! There was nothing really wrong with her long dark hair… it was past her knees and had this side swept section of her bangs with these tendrils at the side of her face…
I was actually fine with it until I saw someone else who had a brown eyed doll in a different, more manageable wig…
So the search began to find a wig like that… it wasn’t easy… but after a few weeks I found this one on Ebay… I know what you’re thinking…it looks as long as the wig she came in…
It wasn’t “quite” as long, but still long… however I had “plans” for it! The seller said it was an 8/9… just what I needed!
Well, I received the wig and it was beautiful… super, super thick and made from a wonderful feeling fiber… however it was too small to fit on any of my Ruby Red Fashion Friends doll heads that had removeable wigs. I tried it on Rose and it absolutely would not go on. I don’t know how the seller got that picture of her doll with it on… I tried everything I knew to get it on, but it was just too small to go over the dolls head.
So what did I do? I examined the wig in the back on the inside and saw it had elastic around the rim of the wig, but it was stitched down so there really wasn’t any stretch to it… So…I snipped the back section of the elastic…and when I tried it on Rose, it went over her big bald head… so I knew this was how to fix it…
I added a small section, (maybe 1/2″ more) of elastic and hand stitched it to the ends where I had cut it… the hair was sewn in wefts so it didn’t unravel… It is at the very back of her neck and the wig is SO thick, it will never be seen…
Okay, so one part of the “new wig process” was done… but the hard part was about to begin… I had to get Freida’s original wig off.
I’d heard ladies on some doll forums say these wigs were really glued on tight, but I had no idea they meant THAT TIGHT!
I started with my seam ripper and very gently was trying to loosen the glue around the edges of the wig on Freida.
You had to be very careful that you didn’t poke her vinyl and make a mark, that you didn’t scratch her face with your fingernails as you handled her head, that you didn’t bend her neck back too far as you poked at her hairline… it was brutal!
I worked for a really long time and had only gotten this far… I tried a hair dryer, as some had suggested, and it didn’t seem to work for me… maybe I was too afraid to let it set in one spot for very long…
So I went looking for a pair of my hubby’s pliers… to see if I could gently, but firmly grab a hold of Freida’s wig and pull it back…
I hate to use the word “grunting” but I was… it was SO tough to pull this off…
I didn’t want to tear up her original wig, so I was being as careful as I could… and slowly, (VERY SLOWLY) it was coming off…
There was no turning back now…
WHEW! I got it off and now was able to try the new wig on Freida and make sure it fit her okay… It went on her head like it was supposed to.
It was pretty long and very wavy… and heavy… this wig has some weight to it!
I went and got my hair cutting scissors and started cutting…
It was curled up pretty tight, so I sectioned it off and began trimming… all in all, about 2 1/2″ inches were cut off…it was still kind of flippy, if you combed it that way…
Once it was all evened up, and I trimmed her bangs, it was easy to comb it under too…
I like that it can be smooth like this…
…or a little bit curled at the bottom, like this…
Here’s one last shot of her…
I’m happy I did it… (but I wasn’t so sure about it when I was struggling to get the wig off!) This might be my one and only try at removing a wig…
Okay, NOW… just wait till you see what tomorrow brings! I started something for her, since she’s like a brand new doll… (You know how that goes… New dolls get dibs on the next dress!)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
The struggle is real. Should have checked Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpi9q3pgGBH/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Oh my goodness, Kelly… that looks TOO easy!!!
Wow, that almost looks Painful for poor Freida, pulling her wig off that way! I almost never remove/change wigs on my dolls. I have one LD that did come with two wigs, and another whose wig will come off, but I just usually am quite happy with the hair they come in.
Your new wig, however, is really lovely! Can’t wait to see what you’re going to make for Freida next!
Hi Charlotte, I hardly ever change wigs either… but I wasn’t crazy about Freida’s eyebrows and wanted to cover them up…
Wait till upu see her new dress!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a hard thing to see, Jeanne! Poor Freida! I can never understand why people take wigs off their dolls, or change the eyes, because I like the dolls the way they look in the first place, and that’s why I buy them! To each her own!
I really like the way the new wig hides her eyebrows, which are a turning off point for me about Freida. She seems too old with those perfectly sculpted eyebrows. I don’t care for teen or adult dolls, especially when they have childlike bodies, which is why I didn’t care for Freida, but those bangs give her a more childlike look, and I can actually say I like her now!
Except for the length, her new wig reiminds me of AG Ruthie’s wig. You can turn it down for a sleeker look, or curl it up. It is a very versatile wig!
Can’t wait to see what you make for the “new look” Freida!
Oh Linda, I agree with you 100 percent, about the eyebrows. Freida looked like she just came from the brow station at a salon. Those eyebrows just do not go with her sweet little smile. Team Bangs all the way!
HI Linda,
Yes, those eyebrows are too dark to suit me… that was the real reason I wanted a wig with some bangs… even wispy bangs, so I’m glad I solved that issue… I’m happy with her now… and just wait till you see her new dress!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, what a transformation your simple (!) wig job created! Freida has such a softer look to her now. I can’t wait to see what her seamstress designs for her!
Thank you Linda… I like her new wig a lot too!
Blessings, Jeanne
Those wigs can really be a pain to pull off. Starting from the back neck and pulling it off gradually with a spoon works, and then there isn’t the problem of damaging the poor girl’s face. 🙂 But, it looks like those plyers were the key for you. Good job and a nice new wig.
So, have you changed the eyes on any of the Ruby Reds? Many have fading eyes that need to be changed. From what I’ve read, most heat up the face around the eyes with a hairdryer, and then they squeeze and they pop out. Then new eyes are inserted from the front. No need to open the top of the head. But, I’m very nervous about that. I’d love to see some eyes replaced. 🙂
Yes, I would like to know how to do the eye change too☺️. I did open the head on my boy SIL I’ve but the eyes are all encased in the vinyl and do far I have not figured out how to slice them to change the eye
HI Joy,
I started with a spoon in the back and got nowhere fast… It was useless on Freida’s wig… that’s when I switched to the seam ripper to get the little pieces of glue strands. I do like the new wig… it’s a good thing, or I may have cried.
I would like to change my Siblies eyes since they are now almost red… but I’m not ready to do that yet… unless I saw a video with narrative.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, all I can say is, I switched a wig on my RRFF Sydney and nearly broke my wrist!
I had to maneuver and use tools but finally got it off.
Btw, Frieda looks pretty in her new wig. It’ll be much easier for you to work with her. I thought on some doll wig sites they recommend a 6-7 size wig for the RRFF? I can’t remember what wig size I got for Sydney, although I don’t think it was an 8-9.
HI Paula,
I know what you mean about almost breaking your wrist. I had NO IDEA it was going to be that tough to get off… I have gotten a few tips from some ladies, that make it seem super simple… but I’m not ready to try on another doll just yet. I like everyone else just the way they are…
The new wig was an 8/9 but it was too small… maybe an 8/9 that has an all over stretch cap… but not this one… I’m happy now though…
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m glad the Rubies come with removable wigs now. I know even some of the PC and AG dolls can be difficult. When I did my Gilead (custom Nellie with #33’s wig) I had to remove wig and the one from a new #33. Nellie’s wig was quite easy, but #33s took me quite a while. I also used a spoon, and it just took time and patience. I’m not brave enough for an eyeswap although I did remove and keep #33’s eyes and sold the rest, just in case I ever want another custom. Getting them out is easy, putting back in seems scary.
Looking forward to what the “new” Freida gets.
HI Laura,
I’m like you… just a little bit chicken to do an eye swap… but I am interested in seeing how it’s done… but I need a break after tackling the wig yesterday… I do like Freida’s new wig though…
Blessings, Jeanne
The newer Ruby Red Fashion Friends 15 inch dolls are somewhat easier to remove now. Most of the Limited Edition RRFF dolls don’t have a glued on wig which is great. I have been customizing these dolls for several years and love giving each one their own personality!
Thanks for letting us see how difficult it was to get that wig off🫣😲
I have thought about trimming some length off my Freida’s wig too. She is cute with those bangs and to be honest I didn’t notice her eyebrows🤔 so of course went back and looked. 😉 They are ok for me…thank goodness …since I have her😉
I usually think most wigs have too much hair so often times I make a slit or several in the wig mesh so the wig looks more natural. Most times using a minimal amount of water based glue that can be removed.
Hi Kathie,
After seeing Freida in the new wig, I’m really happy I did the change up! Not so happy yesterday as I was doing it though. It truly was much harder than I thought… Since I did it, I’ve gotten lots of tips on it now!
I might try again, but not any time soon.
Blessings, Jeanne
I can relate! I have a Patsy doll who came with awful hair. I went through the same thing you did trying to get the wig off. It worked out ok in the end though. And I think Frieda’s new hair is lovely.
Thank you Conni,
I’m liking her better with this new wig… it was too much forehead and too dark eyebrows to really suit me…
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the new look on Freida. But I will confess I’m not much for changing anything about my dolls. Chalk it up to laziness on my part – not to mention the fear of destroying the doll forever. My talents don’t lie in any kind of renovations to my doll’s heads. Cannot wait to see Freida’s debut dress.
My desk top computer is in the shop now. They think it’s either my hard drive or my operating system. I should be able to pick it up Sunday after church so I don’t have to make another trip to Katy just for that. At least I shouldn’t have to buy another computer. That one is not that old.
Christmas is down and nearly all put away – just in time to bring it out again. Well it seems that way usually even when I get it put away in a timely fashion. I got my curtains made for my second bath. I bought a tablecloth for the round table I put in there and decided to make a matching curtain. So I bought a rectangular version of the round tablecloth. When it arrived I noticed the corners were rounded so I cut the panels so that the finished edges were in the middle of the window with the rounded edges. They ended up perfect. Next week I will make the panels for the two windows in the laundry room. They will be different so I will have to do a little more sewing but they need to match the curtain to cover the closet and I have yards of the perfect fabric I bought for something else but changed my mind. Then hopefully it will be back to dolly dressmaking.
HI Barbara,
I try not to tackle anything “dolly wise” that I don’t think I can redo… I haven’t ever tackled changing dolls eyes, but I would like to know how it’s done.
I hope you get your computer back and it’s just wonderful… I would miss my desk top if I didn’t have it. I can type faster and see things better on it than I can on my phone…
I got my Christmas stuff put all away and even hung new curtains in my living room. Looks like we both were wanting new curtains…
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne