A Maggie Doll Restoration

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.

A Texas Doll

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!