Well, Patsy is slowly getting restored.
I have asked my friend Susan J for advice.
She is an amazing Doll Doctor and
SO helpful answering some questions I had.
You saw previously that Daisy had
been taken apart in preparation
for repainting.
The back of her head was badly cracked.
This needed to be stabilized.
I filled the gaps with woodfiller.
As the woodfiller dries I add more
until the gaps are completly filled
Then sanded down smooth.
I personally use wood filler because
it is designed to adhere to wood,
which these dolls are made from.
It is strong and sandable.
Sanded and paint filled in.
After her dress was dry, I did a
little repair work.
I stitched the arm and used fray check
on the hole here and...
I have ordered this toddler style wig.
Here she is after arms, legs and torso
have been sanded. I was careful not to
sand the Effanbee mark on her back.
Here is the rebuilt left thumb and
the right forearm filled in and sanded.
Ready for PAINT!
My airbrush did not work, so I used
a soft artist brush and hand painted.
Time for restringing!!
When restringing, you loop the middle
of your elastic through
the head, then the arms then the legs.
I pull the elastic tight through
a leg hole, knot and trim.
Tuck elastic ends inside the body.
Here is a reminder of how she looked
when I found her vs. now.
Want to see her now!?!
HERE
SHE
IS!!
SHE
IS!!
Wearing her original dress.
I made her a little sweater and hat to match
her dress, since it is fall and getting
chilly!
I think she likes it.
I also made her this simple hanky dress.
Tutorial coming soon!
And of course, every girl needs PJs.
BUT,
who was Daisy's first mommy?
Her name was Jessie Macon Sapp.
She was born in Charlotte, NC in 1929.
When she was six weeks old, her family
moved to Greensboro, NC.
Jessie rode in the car inside a laundry basket.
This was the home that Jessie grew up in.
Jessie stayed in Greensboro the rest of her life.
Jessie's daughter Ruth has wonderful
memories of this home.
Jessie went by her first and middle name
growing up. Her friends all called her
Jessie Macon.
Thank you Jessie Macon for
saving this little girl!
Before and After photos:
Welcome!
Daisy Jessie
to the Savage Pea doll family
ADDENDUM
One of my readers was asking for some more
detailed information about the products I used in this restoration.
Sandpaper - 120 to 220 grit for the body. For her face
I used a sponge block emory board for manicures.
Paint - Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.
I took my doll to the paint store and they matched
her original skin color. This is a water base paint.
I sanded down to the original base coat and then
hand painted with a soft watercolor brush.
Nothing special, just something I had in my art box.
Be aware that these dolls were ORIGINALLY painted
with oil-base paint. All that original paint must
be removed. Some people pick off all the old paint,
I chose to sand down to the original primer,
which is usually a brighter pink.
Clothes Restoration - Restoring Vintage Doll Clothes
Doll Eyes - Her left eye is still waiting for a new iris.
I hand painted her eye, but am not
satisfied with how it looks up close.
I am still hunting for a replacement iris.
This video shows how it's done. I'm
bracing myself to try this.
Here is the website she found her doll irisies on: