Baby birthday custom -Updated with pics

[CoverGoth]

So, I know DancerKim82 made a birthday pony for her daughter's 1st birthday and I sent a pm to her asking some questions, but I thought I might ask other members as well. My daughter is turning 1 at the end of August and I've been working on making a duck-themed custom for her since her first word was "duckie". Aww! 

Anyway...I'm using a G3 Styling Rainbow Dash and I'm trying to determine how much ribbon I need, because what I have is not enough.  About how much ribbon/hair have others used on the styling ponies?

Also, how do I keep the ribbon in place for her to play with? I haven't started rerooting yet, but I normally use a tool and just drown the inside of the head in glue. I don't really want to do that this time because I'm worried about if she chews on it. Should I knot the ribbons on each end?

And one last thing for now, what is the best way to put her tail in? I was going to do it with zip ties the same way as with nylon hair, but I don't know how sturdy that will be. 

I just want her to be able to play with it, however rough she wants, and have it still hold up pretty well. Any answers are appreciated and hopefully I'll be able to update with photos sometime. My camera's memory card is messed up right now. Thanks!

UPDATE (with crappy phone pics): This is only my 3rd custom ever and I don't have the most steady hand in the world, so my painting most definitely isn't perfect. But I think the idea overall is doing pretty well. I left her factory eyes. I need to clean up the painting a little, maybe add something more because the pony is just so huge and the symbol looks so tiny. I'm almost done rerooting and then I'll put her tail in. So...almost done!

She began as a Styling Rainbow Dash:
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

visitors can't see pics , please register or login


And for size comparison:
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[hyenacub]

I personally just use non toxic school glue to root hair...perhaps that would work for this custom also?  Good luck!  As for the tai...hmm.  Make a large knot in the end of all the ribbons, or maybe knot three or four together...then use the zip tie to hold it all together.  I bet that would work well.

[jupiternwndrlnd]

i would do the school glue -- but I would also knot the ribbon at both ends --- cause it will help keep the ribbon from fraying, as well as secure it into the pony head. (and she WILL chew on it)

I cant wait to see her!

[CoverGoth]

Thank you guys!

I think I'm going to hem the ends of each ribbon as well as knotting since a couple are already wanting to fray.

[Lavender_Lace]

I would melt and knot the ends of the ribbon.  For rooting, I personally would go from the outside in and knot each ribbon, dip in glue, and then pull into place.  (if that makes sense)  I would probably also use hot glue on the inside of the head.  The zip ties for the tail should be fine, but you could also coat the fold over in hot glue for added strength as well. 

Whatever you decide to use, make sure it's water resistant because it will probably get grimey after awhile and need a wash.

[CoverGoth]

Thanks Lavender_Lace, I actually hadn't even thought about needing something water resistant but that is a really good point. And yeah, that totally make sense about the rooting! What kind of ribbons are "meltable", lol? The ones I have right now are fabric.

[Lavender_Lace]

Thanks Lavender_Lace, I actually hadn't even thought about needing something water resistant but that is a really good point. And yeah, that totally make sense about the rooting! What kind of ribbons are "meltable", lol? The ones I have right now are fabric.

As long as they're synthetic fibers, you can heat seal the edges.  Most ribbons are.  All the shiny satin like ribbons can be heat sealed, grosgrain ribbon, etc.  You'd want to do a test before rooting to make sure it would work on your ribbon of course.  I usually use a lighter on mine and it's been durable enough to stand up to multiple washes.  (ribbons were on outfits that I've made for my daughter)  Just pass it over quickly so it just melts the fibers together and doesn't actually burn them.  I found a youtube tutorial that was pretty good here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJTMNS5T1HE

[CoverGoth]

That is a good tutorial, thanks! I think I may switch what kind of ribbons I have in order to be able to seal them that way.

What kind of sealant would be best? I've been doing some research and they've got the water-resistant Outdoor Mod Podge (which I know practically nothing about) and Krylon has some sort of...non-toxic, water-resistant primer, I think?

[Lavender_Lace]

I've not used the outdoor modge podge and I have not had luck with using the krylon plastic spray paints on ponies, but the last time I used that was years ago so maybe the formula has improved since then?  (it just never seemed to dry and was tacky, would collect dust, stick to other ponies, etc.)

I personally would not do a full body repaint for a baby custom because of the chances of it getting gnawed on, and I would probably leave the factory eyes since they'd be more durable than anything I'd be able to do.  If she were older, say 5 or so, this wouldn't be an issue.

As for sealing a symbol, I would use the liquid paint on version of testors dull coat or their semi gloss so that you just have to have the sealer on the symbol and not the whole pony.  I've used them all on repairing different toys for my kids.  The gloss, while it does dry and is not tacky, I've noticed will tend to take indentations when handled a lot.  I like the dullcote the best.  According to their site, their acrylic paints are non toxic. 

[CoverGoth]

Bump for updates

[DancerKim82]

Hey, It looks great!!! I love duckies!! When I was preggo with my son my baby shower theme was baby duckies...soooo sweet!

[kaoskat]

Cute!!! The hair is really neat ad the design is adorable!

[hyenacub]

Cute!  Hm Maybe add a row of a few ducklings?

[Diamond]

Oh coming out neat, I look forward to seeing it when you are all done.