This presentation documents how I dyed my Makie Doll using Dylon multi purpose dye. Makies doll are unique. You can design them online at mymakie.com then have them made real (3d printed). Each doll is 24cm/10" high and made of Nylon plastic which is dyeable. I have read of people using RIT dye, iDye Poly and tea to dye their Makie Dolls. I found the Dylon multi purpose dye easy to use. The small 4.5 gram tins of Dylon dye have been discontinued but you can buy them on Ebay or www.thedyeshop.co.uk.

1. How I dyed my 3d Printed
Makie Doll
By Lorna Hamilton-Brown MBE

2. What I used
• Washing up liquid
• Bag of Makie scraps
• Dylon multi purpose dye (I used Coffee and other colours to get the
right shade)
• Vinegar
• Water
• Kettle
• Cooker
• Rubber gloves
• Pyrex Bowl (use for dyeing only)
• Saucepan
• Spoon for stirring (use for dyeing only)
• Tongs for taking pieces out of the dye

3. Step 1 – I removed the doll’s eyes
and wig!

4. Step 2 – I washed my doll

5. Step 3 – I dissembled my doll

6. Step 4 – I soaked my doll pieces
in cold water for 2 hours before dyeing.

7. Step 5 – I mixed the dye
• Pour 400 ml of boiling water into a Pyrex
bowl.
• Add ½ tsp of dye and stir well.
• Take your time stirring the dye until is all
dissolved. DO NOT RUSH THIS STAGE!!!
• Add 100 ml of vinegar stir well
• Pour boiling water into a large saucepan to
about 2 inches in depth. Place Pyrex bowl into
the saucepan.

8. Step 6 – I did a test dye on scraps
• To get the darker colour took me approx. 20 mins.
• Start timing when you put the pieces into the dye.
• Every 5 mins bring the saucepan to the boil then turn down to
a simmer straight away.
• Add more boiling water to the saucepan if need to avoid the
pan drying out.
• Continue to stir the pieces until the required colour is
achieved.
• If the colour is not right and you need to add more dye
remove doll pieces first. Mix dye until it is fully dissolved then
add doll pieces.

9. Step 7 – BEFORE inserting doll
pieces into dye
• Make sure the arm joints and leg joints are bent
as you place them in the dye to avoid white
joints.
• ½ way through
the dyeing
process straighten
the legs and
arms in the dye.
This will ensure the
ball joints dye evenly on
both sides, and avoid an
un-dyed joint.

10. Step 8 – insert doll pieces into dye
for the required time. Stir making sure
piece are covered by the dye. Half way
through straight arms and legs.

11. Step 9 – I put the dyed pieces into
boiled water for a few minutes.

12. Step 10 – Run cold water on the dyed doll
pieces until water runs clear

13. Step 11 – leave pieces to dry

14. Step 12 -Re-assemble your doll
NOTE: Legs and arms are marked left and right 

15. My Makie doll before and after dyeing

16. Right is Makielab’s current darkest skin tone
Cocoa Bean. Other dolls dyed by me 