Two Restoration Dolls Part 1, China Head Doll

My husband has taken to searching online

for dolls I might like to restore.

I know! What a gem!

A couple days ago he came across an ad for these 

two little girls. They both belonged to the 

seller's mother. His mother's name is

Nancy Erickson.

I'm so grateful that Nancy's son found

a new home for these dolls instead

of throwing them away!

On the left is this composition Horsman 

baby doll. She is about 15" long.

She is from the 1930s.

And on the right is this China Head doll

who is about 15" tall. She is from around 1915.

Along with the dolls I got this lovely lot

of vintage doll dresses from the 1920s and 30s

that were used to play with the dolls.

I decided to start with the China Head doll.

Upon closer examination, I saw that her shoulder 

plates were broken and someone had cleverly 

used a wooden dowel to keep her head on!

These are the clothes she was wearing.

Top left is her velvet cape. I will be

doing all I can to save and preserve it, 

the rest however are too fragile and too

far gone, even for me!

Sadly, her body was in tatters as well and 

losing sawdust. I will either make 

her a new body, or find a donor.

After removing her head you can see she is

missing her shoulder plates. These are 

not her original hands, so a donor 

body will be my best bet.

BUT, how in the world do I fix her shoulders?!?

After a little research I discovered Milliput putty.

It is a putty mixed with epoxy for repairing china.

The paper roll is covered in wax paper to

create the rounded shoulder plates.

I took equal parts of the the two compounds and 

kneaded them together for 7 minutes.

It's important that the two compounds

are completely mixed together.

The putty stays malleable for 30 or 40 minutes. 

At this point, I said goodnight 

and left her to set.

I'm really happy with this fix.

The putty is REALLY strong!

I think she looks like a Clara.

After some sanding Clara is looking

much better.  Clara will not be

as valuable as if she were unbroken,

BUT! How great to learn there is a 

fix for a broken doll!

BEFORE    and    AFTER

Clara has a jaunty little head tilt!

This donor body is on it's way, however,

I really wanted to get started on Clara.

I made a pattern and sewed a temporary

 body to start making her undergarments.

I made her pantaloons and a slip 

and a lace camisole. I have a piece of 

pink taffeta that I will use to make her gown.

Clara's new body has arrived.  I think

it's a very good fit.

I did a little research about bonnet styles.

Here are the results.

Want to see Clara all finished?

HERE

SHE

IS!!

Taffeta Gown and matching bonnet.

Bonnet close up.

In the end I added a crochet shawl 

and reticule.

Very pretty Clara!

I love her little head tilt.

Before and After

NEXT TIME!

What is happening to the Horsman baby!?!?

Restoration Dolls part 2