It might seem like I’m not doing much, but I AM. I’ve gotten 2 dolls legs and arms restrung and cleaned up! The more I do them, especially several in a row, the faster it goes. I have run out of elastic for restringing them, so I’ll have to find more. I can’t remember where I got this stuff I’ve been using.
Felicity wasn’t nearly as bad as Lily (Gotz) was. Her legs were loose, so I took all the stuffing out of her and fixed them. Now she can stand on her own and that little bit of floppiness is gone.
Felicity’s head and Lily were enjoying a moment of rest while I unstuffed Felicity’s body and fixed her legs.
Her arms weren’t bad at all, but I tightened them with the hair bands, like in the link I showed yesterday.
When Felicity was all put back together, I did the “test” to see if her legs stuck straight out… THEY DID!
Her pincurls looked like they were singed, but maybe they were just pulled on and stretched.
Anyway, I did a little research and found out if you put them in boiling water and then wrapped them around a straw and let them dry, they would go back to the way they were when she was new. I decided to give it a try.
I wasn’t crazy about dipping the curls in boiling water by tipping your doll down into a cup or pan of it. So I boiled my water, took some of it and put it in a little cup, and tried to turn her on her side so those pincurls went into the water. They got wet and I smoothed them out with my fingers… and then rolled them on a straw I had cut into six pieces.
I guess we’ll see how they turned out tomorrow… I hope it works. I cleaned her face again as there was crud in her eye sockets and in her teeth.
I didn’t wash her hair because it was really almost perfect, except for those pincurls. It doesn’t have any smells to it, so if her pincurls work, she’ll be ready to get back in her dress, and go up for sale too.
Well, I know that’s not a thrilling post, but I’m getting there…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Felicity looks So much happier now that she’s been to your “spa”!!
You can find doll stringing elastic at Dollspart: https://dollspart.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=78_85&zenid=6c18r2kerenlvgo77vuv9v3qe2
Just scroll down and you will find both American-made and German-made stringing cords. There are probably other sources, too, but that’s the one that sprang to my mind when you mentioned it.
First time I’ve thought to Copy and Paste a Reply on t blog so I’ll send it to myself so it’ll be easy to find when I need it for my Felicity’s hair. Great tips about restuffing and stringing the dolls. I’ll save this one for sure. Thanks for the lessons. I need it for a.couple of dolls after Christmas.
I have no doubts about you being busy, Jeanne! It’s just not you to sit around eating bon bons! This Felicity is really a pretty one, and she will soon be good as new, thanks to you! My Felicity has her pin curls, and while they have never been brushed or combed, still the ends do get dried out and frizz up, so I am extra careful with hers Just changing her clothes does muss them up if you aren’t careful.
Her face paint is pretty good too, which is the problem with the older dolls. They lose that and look washed out. Now that she can stand and will have her pin curls back, she will be looking forward to a new dress! I’m curious what you have planned for her!
I have been busy, like most of us, getting ready for the holidays. Let’s send in pictures like we did last year of some of our decorations! It will be like a visit to each other’s homes! Did you get your tree up, Jeanne!
Oh, I see the problem! My name! I can’t believe the keys my fingers hit when they aren’t supposed to! Sorry everyone!
Lots of work on the girls, but will be so worth it. Can’t wait to see them dressed.
More rain around here, and I’m off to the dentist this morning. Just a cleaning. Then, I need to wrap the gifts for the grands. 🙂
Hello Jeanne!
I love how much loving care you are giving these poor dolls, and every doll that you touch.
Your pictures reminded me of a favorite Brownie troop memory.
Gotz had a doll factory in the USA for a while, it was in Baldwinsville NY, near my home. They allowed groups to tour the factory and see how the AG dolls were made. The stuffing was put in by machine, I think using air pressure to compress it. Many eyes came packaged in a box and an employee would match up pairs for each doll. The bodies were completed and dressed before the heads were attached so that the hair didn’t get messed up while dressing the doll body. The completed heads rode down a conveyer belt to be attached to the dressed bodies.
The tour was not the glamorous happy experience the Brownies expected. They girls were shook up by the sight of all the doll heads riding the conveyor belt and there were rumors that a young person had passed out when they saw the boxes of eyes (it was creepy!)
FYI, everyone who toured the factory saw the Samantha doll being made. We suspect it was the only doll ever made at that factory which reflected Samantha’s popularity.
Gotz was a good neighbor, they were generous contributors to local fundraisers and hosted girl/doll events. Everyone who toured the factory received a Mini-Muffin doll and the same tiny baby doll was usually given to each participant in a Gotz event.
Eventually all production moved overseas when Pleasant Company was sold and the factory and distribution center closed. It was great while it lasted!
I was wondering when you were describing the tour how that was going over with the young girls. I laughed but I’m sure it was traumatic for some.
Your adventurous nature and confidence always seem to amaze me. There is nothing you won’t try and it always seems to come out great. I had enough trouble putting in the eyes when I got my Meadow doll. I can’t imagine taking the eyes out of one doll and putting them in another as you have. Can’t wait to see how the pincurls come out.
I’ve been dressing my dolly girls in their Christmas attire and find that most of them have none. Probably because I get extra busy at this time of year. Everyone has Easter and summer attire but little in the way of winter and Christmas/holiday attire. My RRFFs have benefitted greatly for all seasons from the efforts of Erin at Cottontail Doll Designs. I just love her stuff and so do my RRFFs. I’m hoping that after Christmas I can remedy the situation while I can easily see which ones need my attention. I have lots of lovely fabric that would be perfect and some nice patterns. Now I just need to get them and my sewing time together.
Dear Barbara, I wasn’t sure you if you saw the posting I made a few days ago. I wanted to let you and Jeanne and the Sofa Sisters know that Hallmark Channel will be showing a movie called “Miracle in Bethlehem, PA.” It airs this Thursday. I am going to watch it. I thought you might want to see it also and look at the locations to see if it was really shot there. Maybe there will be some memories for you. Anyway, hugs from PA!
Dear Jeanne, I am enjoying seeing how you are restoring these dolls. I know that some folks in doll clubs find dolls like these in thrift shops and restore them. You (and they) make it look so easy but I am sure that it isn’t.
Can we really be only 6 days away from Christmas?
Nice job restoring those girls! They will be lovely! The boiling water treatment does work. I have done it many times on dolls with wigs and rooted hair ones. The first time was very scary but it worked! I have some old metal curlers but have used the plastic permanent roller curlers too.
I have my 12-14”” dolls dressed for Christmas and will take some pictures. Many of their Christmas outfits were actually made as either ornaments or wine bottle covers. The wine bottle covers are great on RRFF…with just some tights underneath😉
Wrapping and fudge are on the list today😉