How to Pierce an American Girl Doll's Ears Without Pay

Last Updated: November 22, 2021

Some American Girl dolls come with their ears pierced, while other doll owners pay to have their dolls' ears pierced at American Girl Place. You can easily pierce your doll's ears for free! Keep reading for further instructions.

Steps

1
Set your American Girl doll against an area where it won't slip. This will protect it from messing up while you pierce the ears. It will also prove the job to be easier as well.
2
Mark each ear lightly with a pencil. This will give you the outline of where you will put the piercing. If it is not even then simply erase and try again.

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3
Using a thumbtack, slowly start pushing the sharp edge into the mark placed on the ear. Patiently wedge it in until it goes all the way through. If it is taking awhile, try twisting it whilst the tack is still on the mark.
4
Use a sewing pin to break through the vinyl if you have ended up with a dent instead of a hole. This should be enough to pierce the ear--then, enlarge the small sewing pin hole using the thumbtack.
5
Evaluate the size of the holes using an earring. Your doll should be able to wear post earrings, especially very small studs to suit her small face. If the earrings go in and stay in, you are done!
6
Enlarge the holes if needed. You will want to use a sharp item that does not make a mark. You could try a metal tapestry needle, an awl, a THIN nail, a metal skewer or corn holder from the kitchen, or many other items. Look around and see what you can find!
7
Keep evaluating the size of the hole you're making; it won't hold the earrings straight or look nice if you make it too big. When the hole is big enough for the earrings to go in and stay in, you're done!
8
Have your doll wear her new earrings frequently. She will look prettier with the jewelry hiding the holes. The vinyl can also close back up a bit if she doesn't wear earrings for awhile, so you might have to go through the enlargement process again.

Warnings

This might not work on all dolls.

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Be very careful with sharp objects.

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If you do not ask permission to do this, you will very likely get in trouble.

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Do not use any objects on your doll that will mark her up, like pens and pencils.

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