I have a sweet little parian that has a body the color of these arms. The poor body was crunchy SO I used a pair of kid gloves and made a "slip cover" for her upper arms, torso and upper legs. Lower arms are bisque and lower legs are heavy cotton with the most adorable little feet! I love your sharing of these projects. Thanks so much!
Fabulous detailed repair of those leather arms! So cool to see you had leather gloves the right color for mending. Haha had to laugh about Stanley vacuuming. Men are so oblivious. I tell my husband "nothing sexier than a man with a vacuum cleaner." Ha!
I missed this video until today but it is great to catch up. These dolls are fabulous. I didn't realise they were so big! The other thing that surprises me is the wonderful condition of the body on such an old doll. In spite of being broken off, the arms and hands are nicer than many leather ones I've seen on other dolls. They are my dream dolls. I'd really love to see one close up but am grateful to you both, Rachel and Linda, for sharing them on this video.
Lovely careful fix of the arms, fascinated me as I have a very similar repair of a twisted/broken foot of an antique kidskin doll I just found at a thrift shop- the break was hidden under the stockings. My plan was to prepare a section of kidskin to put under both sides just as you did, and glueing it to the ankle, then filling the new tube and fitting the foot, but you didn't show how the 'fill' works! You make it seem easy, if have to go slow! Your tip of a named glue will be a GREAT advantage as I have not settled on which kind will work. I also have to re-glue the china head-and-shoulders to the body, please, what would be a good glue for that? Wonderful work there!
Thank you for sharing this! I had similar breaks on stockinette doll legs. I had no idea how to repair them so basically made the doll support stockings that are supporting the legs. This way seems less obtrusive.
Okay so I just found your channel and am binge watching 😛 But more importantly, I just notified my son who is in the Air Force based very near your shop, that he will be doing some shopping for me in the very near future..!! He wasn’t as excited as I’d thought, but oh well. 😊
I was thinking how about ( you’ve probably) already finished it anyway, I would make a casing to go in on both ends & stuff it with stuffing provide for you , then glue , & sew ! That’s my idea if it’s worth anything to you ! My mom fixed a doll for us like that , we stood around her watching in awe how our baby was being put back together!
hi rachel and linda!! i've recently gotten my first leather body doll to fix up and I was wondering if you guys could recommend any way of cleaning dirty leather/any products that are safe to use?
This is So interesting..... I always learn something from Linda. It is amazing that these girls have been kept together. What does the label on the back of the shoulder plate say?
I really enjoyed this video. I have a lovely Armand Marseille about 13" with a leather body and the arms are falling out of the body. I can't find a video on how to fix them.
@@RachelHoffmanDolls The arms are attached with some kind of a heavy metal button mechanism that allows them to move. I am looking to see how this mechanism is attached and how I can replace it. I can't find anything on it.
Acho que deve ser um trabalho delicado mas por um motivo bom de ser trabalhado no conserto de bonecas já antigas, no final ficam bem mais graciosas 🎀 por mais antigas que sejam nunca passa de uma bela recordação
I just bought one of these delightful dolls - not yours but I'm wondering, should I leave her head as is or touch up the missing paint (her hair)? If collectors prefer the heads with flaked paint, I guess I could leave her alone but if I could touch it up to not even show as touched up, would that be preferred?
Rachel, I have loved dolls my whole life! (I’m 56 years old and still get my dolls out occasionally ) I have every doll I have ever bought or received as a child. Now I restore baby dolls ( mostly CPK) and find little girls to give them to. I would like to learn to restore all kinds of dolls. Where would one go to learn the trade? Thank you in advance for your response.❤️
You could look on RUclips to begin, there’s so many resources, and free blogs on the internet. There’s the doll doctor’s association but I’m not sure if they offer classes. Maybe getting into a convention or club? Try poking around and see if you can find something that’s right up your alley! Thanks for watching!
I just received a very old China head doll with a broken arm, maybe two. Everything is all original. I have not yet attempted to undress her, as she is fragile. The leather hands are very dark brown. Can or should those be lightened, and how? Also, did you color the kid leather glove you used in this video, or is that the color of the glove as found? As always, I appreciate your helpful videos and always leave having learned something.
Congrats on your new China head doll addition! Handling these vintage beauties can be delicate work. For the darkened leather hands: Over time, the natural oils and exposure to elements can darken kid leather. You can try gently cleaning them with a soft cloth and a mixture of water and mild soap. However, I'd advise caution because attempting to lighten them too much might damage or weaken the leather. Regarding the kid leather glove from the video: That was the natural color as found. Kid leather can vary in shade based on its age and exposure. It's heartwarming to know you find the videos helpful. Keep nurturing your love for doll restoration, and always trust your instincts when working with vintage dolls. Best of luck with your China head doll's restoration! 😊💕
Did the other doll have the same provenance note? I was curious if the dolls belonged to sisters or one girl. Maybe they represented "twin" aunt and niece since they shared a name!
Thanks for teaching us about old dolls. Love to you all
I have a sweet little parian that has a body the color of these arms. The poor body was crunchy SO I used a pair of kid gloves and made a "slip cover" for her upper arms, torso and upper legs. Lower arms are bisque and lower legs are heavy cotton with the most adorable little feet! I love your sharing of these projects. Thanks so much!
Your doll sounds so sweet! Thank you for tuning in and enjoying our doll projects with us.
I like the reddish brown dresses the best and yes, definitely dress them as twins.
I remember watching a mini documentary on these dolls on PBS. I love seeing these dolls! I just want a shelf of them.... Okay, maybe an entire room!
Thank you ladies so much for great ideas! Your dolls are beautiful, and you're doing a great job in restoring them.
Excellent job on the broken arms!
Fabulous detailed repair of those leather arms! So cool to see you had leather gloves the right color for mending. Haha had to laugh about Stanley vacuuming. Men are so oblivious. I tell my husband "nothing sexier than a man with a vacuum cleaner." Ha!
Linda is so talented repairing this dolls.
Thank you!
Enjoyed this video about mending this doll's leather arms. Wow!!!! Linda, you do wonderful things for these old dolls!!!
Thank you so much!
So very intriguing! I think its so cool that the dolls are from 1863! That's amazing. Love being in the shop with you all!!
So cool, thank you for joining us in our shop!
I missed this video until today but it is great to catch up.
These dolls are fabulous. I didn't realise they were so big! The other thing that surprises me is the wonderful condition of the body on such an old doll. In spite of being broken off, the arms and hands are nicer than many leather ones I've seen on other dolls.
They are my dream dolls. I'd really love to see one close up but am grateful to you both, Rachel and Linda, for sharing them on this video.
I have a doll with the same issues. I wasn't sure about how to repair her, now I know... Thank you so much!
You are welcome! We will show a final picture of the doll in a video, too! Glad we could help.
Lovely careful fix of the arms, fascinated me as I have a very similar repair of a twisted/broken foot of an antique kidskin doll I just found at a thrift shop- the break was hidden under the stockings. My plan was to prepare a section of kidskin to put under both sides just as you did, and glueing it to the ankle, then filling the new tube and fitting the foot, but you didn't show how the 'fill' works! You make it seem easy, if have to go slow! Your tip of a named glue will be a GREAT advantage as I have not settled on which kind will work. I also have to re-glue the china head-and-shoulders to the body, please, what would be a good glue for that? Wonderful work there!
Ok I just found my dream channel. I love dolls, only have a few because I'm fussy and only want true antiques, but I'm looking for one of these😍
Welcome!! We are glad you found us!
Love them so pretty
Thank you!
Mesmerizing watching this...love these types of videos...my dolls are all more modern. Love your work Linda and great videography Rachel! :)
Thank you for sharing this! I had similar breaks on stockinette doll legs. I had no idea how to repair them so basically made the doll support stockings that are supporting the legs. This way seems less obtrusive.
Okay so I just found your channel and am binge watching 😛
But more importantly, I just notified my son who is in the Air Force based very near your shop, that he will be doing some shopping for me in the very near future..!! He wasn’t as excited as I’d thought, but oh well. 😊
Dolls and old books so excited. Sad she is no longer here.
Amazing dolls!
Thank you so much!
I was thinking how about ( you’ve probably) already finished it anyway, I would make a casing to go in on both ends & stuff it with stuffing provide for you , then glue , & sew ! That’s my idea if it’s worth anything to you ! My mom fixed a doll for us like that , we stood around her watching in awe how our baby was being put back together!
Beautiful 😍. Congratulations.
I responded back to you as soon as I saw your message was on post 📫..
hi rachel and linda!! i've recently gotten my first leather body doll to fix up and I was wondering if you guys could recommend any way of cleaning dirty leather/any products that are safe to use?
This is So interesting..... I always learn something from Linda. It is amazing that these girls have been kept together. What does the label on the back of the shoulder plate say?
Our pleasure! Probably says Greiner. Thanks for watching!
I really enjoyed this video. I have a lovely Armand Marseille about 13" with a leather body and the arms are falling out of the body. I can't find a video on how to fix them.
Wonderful! We will continue to make doll repair videos.
@@RachelHoffmanDolls The arms are attached with some kind of a heavy metal button mechanism that allows them to move. I am looking to see how this mechanism is attached and how I can replace it. I can't find anything on it.
Acho que deve ser um trabalho delicado mas por um motivo bom de ser trabalhado no conserto de bonecas já antigas, no final ficam bem mais graciosas 🎀 por mais antigas que sejam nunca passa de uma bela recordação
My dream doll is a Civil War 1850s doll
I just bought one of these delightful dolls - not yours but I'm wondering, should I leave her head as is or touch up the missing paint (her hair)? If collectors prefer the heads with flaked paint, I guess I could leave her alone but if I could touch it up to not even show as touched up, would that be preferred?
I think it’s really a matter of preference. ♥️
Rachel, I have loved dolls my whole life! (I’m 56 years old and still get my dolls out occasionally ) I have every doll I have ever bought or received as a child. Now I restore baby dolls ( mostly CPK) and find little girls to give them to. I would like to learn to restore all kinds of dolls. Where would one go to learn the trade? Thank you in advance for your response.❤️
You could look on RUclips to begin, there’s so many resources, and free blogs on the internet. There’s the doll doctor’s association but I’m not sure if they offer classes. Maybe getting into a convention or club? Try poking around and see if you can find something that’s right up your alley! Thanks for watching!
How would Linda clean the cloth body on that doll if it was heavily soiled or had an odor? I was thinking of a carpet shampooer.
Good question! Sometimes she soaks them but it is difficult because we have had bodies disintegrate.
I just received a very old China head doll with a broken arm, maybe two. Everything is all original. I have not yet attempted to undress her, as she is fragile. The leather hands are very dark brown. Can or should those be lightened, and how? Also, did you color the kid leather glove you used in this video, or is that the color of the glove as found? As always, I appreciate your helpful videos and always leave having learned something.
Congrats on your new China head doll addition! Handling these vintage beauties can be delicate work.
For the darkened leather hands: Over time, the natural oils and exposure to elements can darken kid leather. You can try gently cleaning them with a soft cloth and a mixture of water and mild soap. However, I'd advise caution because attempting to lighten them too much might damage or weaken the leather.
Regarding the kid leather glove from the video: That was the natural color as found. Kid leather can vary in shade based on its age and exposure.
It's heartwarming to know you find the videos helpful. Keep nurturing your love for doll restoration, and always trust your instincts when working with vintage dolls. Best of luck with your China head doll's restoration! 😊💕
@@RachelHoffmanDolls Thank you for sharing your knowledgeable advice. I continue to watch and recommend your videos. ❤
Did the other doll have the same provenance note? I was curious if the dolls belonged to sisters or one girl. Maybe they represented "twin" aunt and niece since they shared a name!
Genial👍
Where do you buy Great Glue?
It was sold through the Doll Artisan Guild website.
...and I thought my 1963 Barbies were old...
I hear ya!
Why cover the doll with her dress.
Kind of an odd question. Don’t most dolls wear clothing?
Just thought it was odd that she cover the doll with her dress when applying glue.