How to Repair a Broken Antique Doll
- Inspect the Doll You should take the time to check your dolls from time to time, especially if you own a collection of such dolls. ...
- Repairing the Head Part If you notice any need for repairs in the head area, it is best to use a knife. ...
- Repairing Broken Joints and Limbs A common problem with dolls is broken limbs. ...
- Repainting If the doll needs repainting, you need to be very careful to do the job well and use suitable colors and tones. ...
- Conservation Wax Applications
Full Answer
How should I clean my old dolls?
Wipe away spots and dirt on hard-bodied dolls with soapy water.
- Be gentle when cleaning your doll’s face—scrubbing too hard can sometimes remove paint.
- You could also try a magic eraser to get rid of tough stains.
- Dry your doll off with a clean towel rather than putting it into the dryer. The tumbling and heat could really damage it.
How do you clean an antique doll?
► Place a clean towel on a flat surface. It will keep the doll safe and clean (in case of dust) from the hard, flat surface. ► Always wash your hands thoroughly or wear gloves before you handle antique dolls. ► Before cleaning, take the doll’s clothes and accessories off. Put them aside for safekeeping.
How to do a doll reroot?
Easy Guide to Boiled Perm and Rerooting Doll Hair
- We also have the Doll Hair Rerooting DVD to Reroot All Your Dolls, Joint Repair Kits, KatSilk®Doll Paint, and much more!
- The first thing I do is inspect the package of the OOAK doll before I open it. ...
- There are many ways to reroot but this is the easiest way, especially for beginners. ...
- Be brave and give it a try. ...
How to take care of Your Doll?
Steps
- Name your doll. Many dolls come with a name, but if you don't like it, you don't have to use it. ...
- Buy clothes for your doll in toy stores or clothes stores. You could also try making your own. ...
- Feed your doll every meal. ...
- Share your toys with your doll. ...
- Take good care of your doll during their first week at your home. ...
How to fix a doll's head?
Can you repair an antique doll?
Do you need to replace a doll's wig?
Can you glue a doll to the edges?
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About this website
Can old dolls be repaired?
Repairing an antique doll means fixing a part that is broken or damaged in some way. So, a broken arm might be glued back together or a wig could be cleaned and restyled. Restoration means bringing the doll back to its original condition including wigs and hair styling, clothing and facial features.
How much does it cost to restore a doll?
A typical doll restoration averages about $12 – $18 per inch of doll, but every doll has different needs, so the price on a doll repair bid may vary greatly.
How much does it cost to restring an antique doll?
Restringing ranges in price from $25.00 to $100.00. $25.00 being the most common cost- this is for most Alexanders, Ginny's, bisque dolls. The higher price is for very large antique dolls.
Can porcelain doll be repaired?
Porcelain dolls have unique restoration and repair needs. Both antique dolls and modern dolls can require cleaning and repairs to heads and bodies, cleaning clothing or rebuilding body parts. Dean Schulefand & Associates specializes in restoring and conserving your porcelain doll collectibles.
How can you tell an antique doll?
Look for the Maker's Mark If you can find the manufacturer mark, or maker's mark, on your old doll, it will give you the most important information needed to identify the doll. Take a good photo of the mark or draw a copy of it to keep handy. Doll manufacturer marks are typically found on the back of the head or neck.
How do you restring an old doll?
38:3042:13DOLL REPAIR BASICS | CLEANING AND STRINGING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that is how you can restring a 50s doll. Now that technique what other dolls can you use thatMoreAnd that is how you can restring a 50s doll. Now that technique what other dolls can you use that technique on madame alexander.
Are antique dolls worth anything?
Price: Around $200 to $300 each, if mint; $1,000 to $1,500 for full set mint and all original. In very good condition (missing some of the original outfits; some flaws and crazing), from $100 to $150 each. Comments: Dolls shown have original outfits but are lacking their pins.
How do I know if my antique doll is valuable?
First, make a general assessment of your doll and determine that it is actually made from porcelain. There should be a clear identification name or number on the head, shoulder, neck, or bottom of your doll's foot. This number can be used for online comparisons or when consulting an appraiser.
What kind of dolls are worth money?
Most Valuable Collectible Dolls of All TimeTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Figurines. Price tag: $150.Blue Snaggletooth. Price tag: Up to $350.Sand People Figurine (1978) Price tag: $450.Devi Kroell Barbie. Price tag: $1,075.Marie Antoinette Barbie. Price tag: $1,250.45. ' ... Calvin Klein Barbie. ... Coach Barbie.More items...•
What is the best glue to use to repair porcelain?
epoxyIf you have a project that requires gap bonding or filling, surface repairs or laminating, the best glue for porcelain or ceramic repairs will be an epoxy. An epoxy consists of two parts: resin and hardener. When mixed together, they produce a durable, high strength bond.
Is my porcelain doll worth anything?
A doll belonging to the same series and manufacturer can have a wide range of prices based on many factors, including its condition, the tastes of collectors, and fashion trends. Today, some porcelain dolls made for children for a few dollars are worth $200 or even $300.
How do you repair porcelain figurines?
0:041:02How to Repair Porcelain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCarefully line up the second part and press together for ten seconds. Do not move the bond duringMoreCarefully line up the second part and press together for ten seconds. Do not move the bond during this time as this will disrupt the curing. Process that's. It you.
Are old dolls valuable?
Price: Around $200 to $300 each, if mint; $1,000 to $1,500 for full set mint and all original. In very good condition (missing some of the original outfits; some flaws and crazing), from $100 to $150 each. Comments: Dolls shown have original outfits but are lacking their pins.
Is my porcelain doll worth anything?
A doll belonging to the same series and manufacturer can have a wide range of prices based on many factors, including its condition, the tastes of collectors, and fashion trends. Today, some porcelain dolls made for children for a few dollars are worth $200 or even $300.
How do you repair a plastic doll?
If the head, arm, or leg comes off a doll with push-in limbs, use a hairdryer to make the plastic pliable, then reinsert the part into the body. If the elastic inside the doll that holds limbs or the head on breaks, replace it (see below).
How can I restore my vintage doll hair?
Dip the doll's hair in the water for no more than five seconds. The heat helps to soften the hair, but too much heat can destroy it. Apply a few drops of mild dishwashing soap or baby shampoo to the hair. Starting at the ends, begin to comb through the hair.
Doll Cleaning and Care Tips - A Dolly's World
15" STUFFABLE ANIMALS Unstuffed Bears Cats & Dogs Wildlife Jungle Seasonal : 15" Animals Page 2 Fantasy Mythical Sea Life Jurassic
Doll Cleaning Tips - A Dolly's World
SUPPLIES. Here is a list of supplies I keep on hand and find very useful. ** Cotton Balls ** Q-Tips: for cleaning eyes, eyelids ears and lips. ** Tooth Picks- I use these for removing grime from fingers & toes, eyes, mouths ears and other detailed areas.
What is antique doll repair?
Antique doll repair is an art and craft that requires a long time to perfect. Unless you think you are qualified to restore your doll yourself, you should seek out a reputable doll repair studio and let the experts bring your doll back to life. Broken Doll. Partially Restored.
Who repairs antique dolls?
Contact Luel Restoration Studio for your antique doll repair and restoration needs. Because she is so special, we will care for your doll with great love while she is visiting with us.
What is ceramic doll restoration?
Ceramic Doll Restoration Can Preserve Your Memories For Generations To Come. While not traditionally considered art, antique ceramic, porcelain and bisque dolls offer a unique and special look back into the past. Dolls show us an ideal for that particular time and place.
What is the difference between porcelain and bisque dolls?
Porcelain is ceramic fired in a kiln and then glazed. Bisque is unglazed porcelain. It has a matte finish and gives the doll’s skill a human-like texture. When the production of bisque dolls began in the late 1800s in France, only the heads were made of bisque (cloth or leather was used for the rest of the body).
What was done to the legs of the doll in Doll Repair 2?
Doll Repair 2 The leg was restored on the doll below ; both legs and arms were cleaned and repainted; and the bottom part of the sailor outfit was designed and sewn.
How to get an estimate for a doll restoration?
The best way to get an initial estimate for restoration of your item is to email a few photos and the overall measurements of your doll to the restorer. The photos have to include images of the entire doll, the damaged parts, and all the broken pieces you have.
What does restoration do to dolls?
Next, the restoration expert will look at the doll’s color and texture. Using expertly trained artists, the color and paint that may have faded from the doll can be matched, bringing back an invigorated appearance. Along with the repainting and filling of the cracks, doll restoration includes matching the texture of the original doll’s surface. Soon, your doll will look and feel the same way it did when you grandmother (or great-grandmother) first held it in her hands as a small child.
What do antique dolls need to be repaired?
Copied! Through the years, dolls have been made from wood, leather, fabric, wax, china and other materials, and because they were well-loved, antique dolls more than a century old often need repairs for missing eyes, broken arms, cracked heads or stuffing failure. Whether you do it yourself or find a doll "hospital" ...
What does it mean to repair an antique doll?
Repairing an antique doll means fixing a part that is broken or damaged in some way. So, a broken arm might be glued back together or a wig could be cleaned and restyled.
What to do with an antique doll?
To deal with any of this, first you have to decide what you want to do with your doll: repair, restore, stabilize or conserve. Repairing an antique doll means fixing a part that is broken or damaged in some way. So, a broken arm might be glued back together or a wig could be cleaned and restyled.
What does it mean when a doll is more than a century old?
A doll that is more than a century old will often show extreme wear. Some of the problems may be on the surface and clearly visible (missing arms, or matted hair ), others may be hidden inside the clothing or the body, especially if the doll is stuffed with straw or organic matter (this is where insects come in). Wax-head dolls sometimes show a response to heat (and it's not pretty), while in other cases, a thin crack might run right across a pouting face.
How much does it cost to repair an antique doll?
Before sending your doll, call or email and include photos and a description of your doll. Prices for repairs vary considerably, from under $100 to $1000 or more , depending upon the materials, time and techniques used.
What happens if you repair a doll?
Any repair will affect how much your doll is worth; the repair could actually decrease the value a great deal.
What is conservation in dolls?
Conservation or stabilization means stopping a problem that has developed and preserving the current state of the doll. Conservation would include treating an insect infestation, repairing broken or deteriorated strings before they cause more problems or resetting a loosened eye.
What Do I Need for Doll Repair?
You can find most replacement doll parts in a local craft store or on the Internet. In addition, you may need these :
How to restring a doll?
Restring a plastic or vinyl doll: 1 Make two elastic stringing loops: one for the legs and head, and a shorter one for the arms. Loop sizes depend on the material’s elasticity and the doll size. The elastic should hold the head and limbs securely while allowing smooth movement. Make tight knots in the end of the elastic to bind it. 2 If the head is attached with an internal hook that’s broken or missing, make a new one from a wire coat hanger. Cut off a section with wire-cutting pliers and bend it into shape. Attach the hook to the head bar. Then secure the larger elastic stringing loop to the hook and push the loop down through the neck cavity and into the doll’s torso. Position the doll head on top of the body. 3 To attach a leg, make a stringing hook to reach into the torso and grasp the loop hanging from the head. Pull the loop down through the leg hole and secure it to the hook inside the leg. Pull out the stringing hook and repeat the process for the other leg. 4 To attach an arm, hook one end of your stringing loop to the arm and feed the loop through the arm hole. Use the stringing hook to pull the loop through the opposite arm hole. Attach the loop to the hook on the arm then remove the stringing hook.
How Does a Doll Work?
A doll is a small-scale figure of a human being used especially as a child’s plaything. Dolls are also keepsakes, collectibles, and sometimes valuable antiques. Repair of valuable antique dolls and porcelain dolls should be left to a professional or a “doll hospital.”
How to attach a leg to a doll?
To attach a leg, make a stringing hook to reach into the torso and grasp the loop hanging from the head. Pull the loop down through the leg hole and secure it to the hook inside the leg. Pull out the stringing hook and repeat the process for the other leg.
How to make a doll head from a coat hanger?
If the head is attached with an internal hook that’s broken or missing, make a new one from a wire coat hanger. Cut off a section with wire-cutting pliers and bend it into shape. Attach the hook to the head bar. Then secure the larger elastic stringing loop to the hook and push the loop down through the neck cavity and into the doll’s torso. Position the doll head on top of the body.
How to restring a plastic doll?
Restring a plastic or vinyl doll: Make two elastic stringing loops: one for the legs and head, and a shorter one for the arms. Loop sizes depend on the material’s elasticity and the doll size. The elastic should hold the head and limbs securely while allowing smooth movement. Make tight knots in the end of the elastic to bind it.
How to make a doll with plastic?
Sew the torso inside out, leaving the rear seam open. To attach plastic or vinyl pieces, turn up about 1 inch of fabric and sew through the holes located at the base of each piece. Turn the torso right side out and stuff the doll with polyester filling. Stitch up the rear seam with small, tight overhand stitches.
What do doll repairers do?
When dolls are brought to doll hospitals for evaluating, doll repairers diagnose and prescribe much in the same vein as medical doctors.
When did Alvord take over doll repair?
Alvord took over her mother’s doll repair work in 1978, pooling skills from her art, history, and fashion knowledge.
What are the repairs for plastic dolls?
VINYL & HARD PLASTIC DOLLS – All repairs are available including replacement limbs, wigs, open and close eyes and new bodies.
What is doll restoration?
DOLL RESTORATION – We can repair or replace missing or broken parts. Some doll materials such as composition can have defects such as a hole or cracks filled or repaired. We determine what materials to use. Broken porcelain parts must be replaced. If the doll repair is for a doll that is missing an arm or both arms or leg or both legs, we can replace it. Often restoration requires replacement of eyes, rocking or stationary. In all cases if the parts are available or can be found, we can fix the doll. Our professional doll restorers will quickly fix and return your doll.
What dolls have voice box repairs?
VOICE BOX REPAIR – We restore the voice mechanism to many of the talking dolls such as Chatty Cathy, Chatty Baby, and Mrs Beasley. Contact us for information about your doll.
How to ship a doll to the hospital?
We cannot make sure that your box will be used to return your doll. Use a good sturdy cardboard box or take your doll to a UPS store or to a Pack & Ship to pack your doll. Ship your doll with the Post Office, United Parcel Service or FED-EX. Always request tracking for your box. Fees for repairs and restorations are due at the time order is placed. Acceptable forms of payment are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Personal Check. We also take any debit cards that display one of the credit card trademarks.
How long does it take to get a doll back from the hospital?
General turn around time is 2-3 weeks. We will return your doll if for any reason you decide not to repair your doll. Hours of operation in the Doll Hospital are 7am to 7pm EST.
Can you paint a doll after cleaning?
If paint is required after cleaning or if fill is required to fill defects, we will do that repair and then paint the part. Smoke damage and mold damage can be hard to clean, but usually will show significant signs of improvement to your doll.
Can you get replacement arms and legs for a tiny tear doll?
MORE DETAILS – We can get replacement arms and legs for many dolls. If the dolls name or manufacturer are shown on back near neck, chances are that we will be able to find the replacement parts. When in doubt, call us. We can get you replacement parts for Tiny Tears and Dydee baby dolls (as close to original parts as possible). Please call for information on these dolls 352-382-3655.
How to replace rubber band on doll?
If it is still in one piece and just loose, gently pull a leg out of its socket, cut the band and pull it out. Do this with the doll resting on a soft surface such as a bed, because the arms, legs and possibly the head will all fall off when you pull the band loose.
How to make a doll with elastic?
Tie a piece of cord elastic into a loop the same size as the original loop. The elastic will have stretched, so you will have to estimate the size of this loop. You may have to make several loops before you get it right. Start with a length of elastic twice as long as the doll's body from the neck to the legs.
How to make a doll stand without flopping over?
This should be slightly difficult to do. The elastic needs to be tight enough to allow the doll to stand without flopping over.
How to make a doll with a socket?
Reach into the arm hole, pull out a loop of elastic and attach the appropriate arm to it. The palm of the doll's hand should face toward the body. Stick the socket into the arm and hold the arm in place while you attach the other arm and one leg in the same way.
How are dolls held together?
Many antique dolls and some modern dolls are held together with rubber bands or loops of elastic cord. This elastic stretches and breaks with age or exposure to heat. Even display dolls can lose limbs or get too floppy to stand. It is difficult to find a replacement band in the exact size you need, but you can replace the band with a loop ...
Can you restring a doll?
Do not attempt to restring valuable dolls, you may break the sockets or the body by pulling the elastic too tight. You can lessen this risk by restringing the doll with a loose elastic band and displaying her in a sitting position or even laying down.
How to fix a doll's head?
If you notice any need for repairs in the head area, it is best to use a knife. Carefully insert it under the pate , which is usually made from foam or cork. This part directly affects the way the hair lies around the doll’s head. Make sure to match it as best as possible, although this may be a bit difficult if the doll is very old. In such a case, you may need to try out different types to best fit the size and shape. Apply some glue to its base and fix to the doll’s head. Sometimes, you may also need to replace the wig in order to have the doll look more pleasing. Try to select a wig which best suits the doll’s skin color, features and size. You may need to apply glue all around the head’s area so as to help the wig fit well. Regularly comb the hair of the doll and try to wash it from time to time.
Can you repair an antique doll?
Repairing an antique doll is a task that may need some attention to detail and care, but ultimately, if you follow some basic guidelines and tips, it is not an impossible thing to do. Besides, you would be restoring beauty to the doll in order to retain its antique value.
Do you need to replace a doll's wig?
Sometimes, you may also need to replace the wig in order to have the doll look more pleasing . Try to select a wig which best suits the doll’s skin color, features and size. You may need to apply glue all around the head’s area so as to help the wig fit well.
Can you glue a doll to the edges?
The hands, feet, fingers and toes and practically any moving part of the doll, over time have a high risk of breaking. You will need to apply glue to the edges, press together for a few moments until you can see that the glue has stuck well. There may be instances where some part may be missing.
