Upcycled Bradley Doll

22 July

Hello! I'm here today to share another thrift shop flip upcycling project!


After this, there are only a couple of things left before I start on another grouping of thrifted items!


Do you remember Bradley dolls? They are sometimes just called "big-eyed dolls," they were made from 1954 through 1984 and were imported by Bradley Import Company which was later acquired by Hasbro.


I see these every now and then at the thrift stores although they are becoming more scarce it seems. I saw where someone once had given one a makeover with some funky clothing but I cannot find anything of the sort now... maybe it was a dream! 😂


Anyway, I found one at the thrift store recently and decided to try my hand at updating her and giving her a brand new outfit!


Upcycled Bradley Doll


Upcycled Bradley Doll


Here is what she looked like when I found her. She was ok I guess but only good for around the 4th of July.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

The tag on the bottom says "Made in Korea," just like my research said it would! You can also see that she was just $1.19 at the thrift store!

Upcycled Bradley doll


To begin her makeover, I removed all her clothes. They came off easily and I saved the pieces to use for patterns for her new outfit.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Here she is... naked... lol.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I made her a new shirt with some fun flowery fabric by using the old piece as a pattern.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Then I made her some new undies the same way.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Next, I moved on to a skirt. I used these two vintage scarves. I used the white one to make a slip and the pink one for a skirt.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I made both the slip and skirt by running a gathering stitch around the part that would go around her waist.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Some vintage black velvet ribbon forms a waistband and bow in the back.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I let her dress dictate the rest of her outfit and she was looking a little boho gypsy to me at this point! I found some inspiration in my craft studio with these fabric pieces.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

So, I knew she needed a headscarf because... well, gypsies!!


I looked at Youtube videos for "how to tie gypsy head scarves," and then created one I liked in miniature! I used a piece of an old satin pillowcase and once I got it tied around her head, I secured it with long straight pins.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I added some embellishments.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

This is from some old, broken jewelry I have.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I also added her weird pigtails back but in the form of a ponytail.

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I thought she needed some fun footwear and I found these Barbie grannie boots online for just a few dollars!

Upcycled Bradley Doll

I painted them black, aren't they so cute and hip!!??

Upcycled Bradley Doll

And last but not least, check out this scarf with the flowers painted on it... I used it to make... wait for it... wait for it...

Upcycled Bradley Doll

A tattoo!!! 😁 The scarf background was almost the exact same color as her skin. I just used regular craft glue to put it on and it blends right in!

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Here she is all finished! I gathered one side of her skirt up in her hand so you can see her fun boots!

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Don't you just love her tattoo?!

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

Upcycled Bradley Doll

PIN ME!
Upcycled Bradley Doll

What do you think? Do you have any of these dolls?

This marks another thrifted find off the list!

thrift shop flips

I am working on these frames now:

thrift shop flips projects

You can see the other projects from this lineup here:




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  1. Now she's got some wild and sassy personality! Brilliant idea for the tattoo. Even though you didn't touch her face, even it looks a little sassier now with her new gypsy queen garb. Is she a keeper?

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    Replies
    1. Haha, maybe she's not so embarrassed of her outfit anymore! I will probably keep her for awhile and then list her in my shop :) I am definitely looking forward to finding another Bradley doll to makeover.

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  2. She turned out so cute! So cool that the scarf worked so great for her tattoo! I love her eyes. She's a beauty!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I know, the scarf was a happy accident!!

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  3. She has her own funky style now Tania! I love her chic boho look. I had one of those dolls eons ago. Now I wish I had kept her.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tuula! I used to see them all the time.

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  4. Your Bradley doll is lovely, I've collected these dolls for long time,my tallest is 24 inches, and smallest is 8 inches

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sharon. I think the dolls are often so pretty and I love some of the outfits they wear :)

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