How often do I start a blog post with,
"Recently, while thrifting..."
Well I am doing so again because look!
She is a 1977 Madame Alexander
18" Pussycat doll in her original dress!
I also found this Shirley Temple doll.
She is 12" tall and was made between
1957 and 1963 by Ideal.
Whenever I find vintage dolls like these
in one place I assume they both came from
someone's doll collection.
I always want to freshen them up so
I can find them a new home!
I will start with Shirley.
Her hair was a mess, but otherwise she
is in very good condition.
As I washed her hair, her curls
tightened up in front.
The curls in back needed some brushing
back into shape. I brush the hair around
my finger or a pencil if the
doll is very small.
Looking much better.
Next is the Madame Alexander baby doll.
She has a very sweet face.
Her hair was very tangled and slightly
matted in places.
I thought this was a little strange, she
appears to have two different shades
of blonde hair.
Shampoo and conditioner.
All fresh and clean!
I put her in a borrowed nighty and
brushed out her hair.
I put a curler in her top curl and let it dry.
Her hair came out very shiny and silky!
I will be replacing the elastic in her dress sleeves
and in her bloomers.
When I picked out the old elastic I discovered
it was also holding the lace!
I reattached the lace before I add elastic.
I am not coordinated enough to do it
at the same time.
Shirley had a couple more things to do
before she was ready.
I found this little dress in my doll closet.
The sleeves need to be adjusted.
And she needs shoes.
I noticed her lashes had some color
rubbed off the tips.
I used a sharpie to darken the white spots.
Her lashes are solid plastic molds, don't
try this with fiber lashes.
Well, both girls are all done!
Want to see them now?
HERE
THEY
ARE!
THEY
ARE!
Shirley's final photo. I did another search
in the doll closet and found her some shoes!
I added elastic to her sleeves. If you look
above the sleeves were straight.
Here is the back of her hair.
The curls are not as tight, but
much improved.
Here is Shirley, before and after.
Next is Madame Alexander Baby doll.
Here she is in her original dress.
All the elastic has been replaced.
I added a bow on her bodice.
It was SO plain!
Here she is before and after.
Just a couple of blue gingham girls!
