Awhile back, I found this little girl on a trip
to visit my mom. She was in a box of doll
parts in an antique shop.
I know! Poor thing!
Click below to see her initial restoration.
As soon as I got home, she got a new
wig and borrowed some clothes
from my Mary Hoyer doll.
But, what was I going to do with her
blouse and skirt?
Upon closer inspection, her top was actually
not too bad. No tears, just yellowed and needing
a spruce up.
The slip, which is attached, is pretty tattered.
The skirt was badly sun faded and full of holes!
I admit, I let these pieces sit on my sewing table
for weeks and then months.
Finally I decided to try and save them.
I put the blouse in to soak with Oxyclean.
After a couple days I sprayed the collar
and wrists with spray n wash.
The wash water kept turning yellow!
This blouse was soaked for a week!
A few days later I decided to try and re-dye the skirt.
I started by just rinsing it in cold water.
I decided to try a dark blue dye.
After 30 minutes, I pulled the skirt out,
rinsed it in cold water and laid it out to dry.
Not perfect, but better!
After the blouse was dry I fray-checked
all the holes and tears.
I did the same with the skirt.
After everything was dry. I played with different ideas for
how to cover up all those holes. I tried this and that.
These pink flowers gave me an idea...
I decided to use embroidery to cover up
all the holes on the front of the skirt.
I started with these simple roses.
All you do is 5 long stitches from the center.
Then basket weave in and out, round and
round, until you get this rose.
I just covered up each of the worst holes
with either a rose or a leaf.
Want to see it all
put togther?
HERE
IS
MAGGIE!
Here is Maggie in her restored
skirt and blouse!
Such an improvement!
I think Maggie is happy to have her outfit
all restored.
OH, I almost forgot...
I ordered this pair of vintage roller skates
for Maggie. They should arrive very soon!
Before and After!
5 comments:
Wow! Her restored outfit came out so pretty!
Hi Maryn!
Thank you! I am very pleased with the results too. I was really not sure I could make much improvement. The dye is what really saved the skirt I think. Then it was just a metter of hiding hte holes.
Hugs
Brenda
Hi Sandra,
Thank you! I love seeing a doll returned to a beautiful state. The embroidery is the best way to hide holes and stains. I'm growing my embroidery skills at the same time.
Hugs
Brenda
She turned out beautifully! That was really clever to embroider the skirt!-Gaela (lalalandtoys)
HI Gaela!
I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit! I have used embroidery in the past to cover over moth holes and other damage. I have really fallen for my Maggie. I had planned to sell her, but I can't do it!
Hugs
Brenda
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