Late Bjd Unboxing: Smart Doll Mirai or the Giant of Vinyl

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info. Thanks!

As it was revealed in a previous post, we have a "new" doll, who arrived about seven years ago.

She did have a proper unboxing and we did make her feel at quite home, but due to Anna's negligence, we haven't spoken of it until now.

So, let us take a stroll down memory lane and view these lovely older photos back when we first received Mirai, the Smart Doll.

Here we are when Mirai arrived on November 25, 2018. 

The shipping box appeared deceptively small, and the brand "Smart Doll" wasn't a familiar company to me. Likely because they don't manufacture resin dolls like myself. Anna neglected to mention until later that they are vinyl dolls similar to Dolfie Dreams made by Volks.

None of us quite knew what to expect.

Inside the box was a novelty tote bag with a humorous caption.

I suppose it is a bit stylish, but maybe a little too casual for my tastes.

Here we have Usagi peaking in to see her "new friend".

Inside we discovered Mirai securely wrapped in bubble wrap and in a kneeling position along with another box full of wonders.
 

It included a couple of accessories that I've been told are included with all Smart Dolls, plus some items Anna chose to purchase along side Mirai (Like the Japanese flashcards, sadly they've been discontinued).

And here is Mirai, freshly unwrapped and beaming. She was so thrilled to finally come to her new home.

At her full height of 60 cm (23.6in), she towers over us all. She is the same size as a 1/3 scale or SD sized ball jointed doll.

Anna has stated that one of the reasons she chose to purchase Mirai instead of a larger resin doll is because vinyl dolls are much lighter in weight.

And here is her wig. It seems all Smart Dolls come with their own wig at no extra cost. Quite convenient, especially for doll owners who may forget to order such necessities in a timely matter.

Anyway, the wig is a snug fit and was already cut and styled to suit Mirai's face.

Anna ordered a second of eyes in a purplish hue, unfortunately to this day she has yet to use them. 

It is a shame, because we have confirmed that it the simplest thing to installed new eyes in a Smart Doll. Perhaps I could use them, except they are much too large my own purposes.

Mirai came with a custom stand to help with balance. It came packaged with this helpful instruction card.

Although some of the instructions seem peculiar, what does it mean "don't feed after midnight"?

The stand fits Mirai well and is most useful and practical. 

Standing beside her, her remarkable height seems even more incredible.

Sakura was bold enough to ask Mirai to lift her.

Mirai was only to happy to indulge the child. She actually offered me the same experience, but I politely declined.

There arose a slight problem when it came time to present the "new doll" dress. It was a tad too short and much too tight for a 1/3 scale doll like Mirai.

Anna quickly improvised a substitute. She cut off the sleeve to a long-sleeved knit top.

Not quite what I had in mind, but at least Mirai was decently dressed.  Anna did mention that it reminded her of the Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid.

And that in a nutshell, is how Mirai came into our home.

Now seven years later, here is Mirai today.

Anna made her a form fitting sundress using this sweet pink polka doll cotton, trimmed with some of my favorite lace. The style is similar to many dresses she has made for myself and the other dolls (see Of Bjd Fashion: Dresses to Sew and a Tutorial).

Due to Mirai's unique measurements, Anna had to sew in an extra set of darts to get just the perfect fit. 

To complete the ensemble, Anna also made Mirai a pair of sandals just like my own fine pair, only much larger (see Of Bjd Fashion: Improved Lace Sandals with a Tutorial).

Mirai has settled into our doll family, the children are particularly taken with her.

"Mirai! How can I be as tall as you?"

"Sakura, why do you want to be taller?"

"I want to be as big as you! Or even bigger like Anna! Then I could eat as much donuts as I want, and even lift Ghost Lady above my head! Right?"

"...Um, Sakura. I don't think Hikaru would be happy about that..."

Oh, you are quite right about that Yuna.

And Sakura, for the thousandth time, my name is Hikaru. Not Ghost Lady!

Sigh.

That is all for today my dear readers, be at peace.

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Of Bjd Fashion: Simple Outfit for Our Yosd Boy part 2, The Shorts and Socks

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info. Thanks!

In our previous post, Anna shared how to make the t-shirt for Makoto's new outfit.

Continuing on, we will see how to make the shorts and socks to complete the look.

Yosd Shorts and Socks Tutorial

Materials:

• Knit fabric for the shorts, old t-shirts work well.
• Matching thread
• Thin elastic
• Old tights for the socks.
• Small safety pin.
• Basic sewing supplies
• (Optional) Sewing Machine
• (Optional) Patience

Here's the pattern. It includes the pattern for the t-shirt. 

First let's start with the shorts. If you are sewing by hand and need a little more help then please check out my tank top video tutorial, it demonstrates some of the techniques needed. Plus, it's fun to watch. 

Cut out two pieces of the shorts pattern from a knit fabric.

Note which direction the fabric stretches before cutting, you want it stretch-ier width-wise.

Double fold and pin to hem the bottom.

If you are sewing by hand, you will need to sew with a backstitch (as shown in the video).

If you are machine sewing, just use a stretch or zig-zag stitch.

After hemming, place the pieces right side together and pin along the "front" (as marked on the pattern) before sewing the front seam.

After sewing, it helps to make little clip or snips along the curve to stop the fabric from bunching after turning it right side out.

It's also handy to open and flatten out you seam.

Because it's so small, you can rub it with your finger to press it out instead of using an iron.

It also helps to trim some of the excess fabric at the top of the seam, this will make it easier when it's time to add the elastic to the waist.

Speaking of waist, it's time to create a casing for the elastic waistband.

Just double fold and pin, making sure there's enough room for your elastic.

Then just sew across.

Now cut a piece of elastic long enough to go around your doll's waist.

Pin the end of your elastic to the edge of your fabric to prevent it from getting lost.

Then use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing/waist band.

Pin both ends of the elastic in place and prepare to sew!

Just like with the front seam, pin the fabric right sides together to sew the back seam.

Be extra thorough about sewing the top part of the seam since this will hold the elastic.

Just like with the front seam, it helps to snip/clip along the curve.

The final step is to pin and sew up the inseam (or the crotch area).

And now your short are done!

Now for the socks. These are made the same way as socks from my socks and tight tutorial (Msd and yosd sized!). So if you've already made those, you are all set.

First cut out two pieces from your tights.

Roll and pin the top to hem using a back stitch. The tights material is super easy to roll.

Warning: I do not recommend using a sewing machine for these socks. They are far too tricky to machine sew without things getting stuck. Plus, they are so quick and easy to sew by hand.

Fold the piece in half and pin along the edge.

Sew along the edge with a backstitch, then clip the curved parts.

Turn right side out, and now you have a new pair of doll socks!

And the outfit is finished.

End of Tutorial.

"Can I go play now?"

Not quite yet, Makoto. I still think there's something missing.

"If you mean ruffles, then not uh. My clothes are fine just the way they are!"

Maybe a hat perhaps. Well, I suppose that's an idea for another day.

"Makoto looks sooo cute in his new outfit, right? :) "

You say that about everything Usagi. 

But you're right, he does look darling in his mostly complete ensemble.

And it's wonderful that Anna has finally started sewing for us again. She has neglected our needs for far too long. Not to mention the needs of our dear readers.

"How so?" "How so?"

Well, with so much time passing by without any updates for our readers, I have this dreadful feeling we're forgetting something important. Now what could it be? Hmm.

"I think I know what it is!"

Oh gracious, Mirai! We never informed them of your arrival!

Well, it looks like the cat is out of the bag. Come back later when we finally introduce Mirai, my first Vinyl doll.

Give it a try:

• Loops & Threads Start-to-Sew Kit
• 1/4" Knit Elastic by Loops & Threads
  

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