Vintage doll restoration

March 2020

I received a doll from an estate, that was dear to one of the beneficiaries. The face and clothes were extremely dirty and the elastic in the pantaloons had lost the elasticity. I soaked the dresses in enzyme laundry solution (Shaklee liquid L and nature bright) until the lace brightened and the water was clear. The face was washed with the same but I stopped scrubbing when I noticed some of the cheek paint had faded.

I then shortened the overdress/ the top layer to expose the hand-embroidered initial of the decedent, then added lace and elastic to the pantaloons, and added the headband with roses made from left over fabric from the overdress.

Close up of the hand-embroidered initial on under-dress.

Close up of cleaned face and headband I created with leftover fabric and added roses.

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