DOLL REPAIR BASICS | CLEANING AND STRINGING | PUT YOUR DOLL BACK TOGETHER

[@sandrachester7780]

WOW, WOW, I can't believe I did it. I had watched another you-tube and I must of spent two hours and it was not right. I found your youtube and I did it half hour. My husband helped my hook the limbs on. Thank you so much.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Fantastic!

[@kristalynn7877]

Linda is a treasure! She’s so talented. I like the videos with her in them the most 🙂

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Love this feedback, thank you so much!

[@joeladams5061]

Shes so passionate about doll preservation. LOVE IT 😍

[@quiltedwithlove]

Thank you so much! I was able to put my mother-in-law's dolls back together and they look fantastic. The hemostats made everything so much easier. Thank you again for the help.

[@margaretlynch1494]

🙋‍♀️❤ I love watching Linda work!

[@elainescanlon2862]

Just watched this video, so much to learn, Thank you Linda for your expert tips.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

I am glad it helped with some tips and ideas. Thanks for commenting!

[@tiziross5796]

@Elfreda Mcferrin i uhn-j,,jhj,j .c' nn nn.nn jj-m.

[@patp7777]

Been doing this for years but lots of great new tips and techniques. Thank you.

[@7777LORENZO]

She is so talented - recognition Linda . So knowledgeable and experienced. Thank you patsy

[@kathy-jeanhegwine5122]

I want to say thank you for showing me it ok to do your doll work in a small space I have started to work on my dolls now! Got all the cleaner you have suggested too! I have even strong a doll together that was given to me more the 20 years ago by a co-worker at the time! You made it look so easy I can sit at my computer desk and use the camera to do the work too! Now all I have to do is clean them up and dress them!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@dakotatwilight]

Thank you Rachel and Linda. I have also just tried gojo on my damaged PleasantCompany Kirsten and it makes her vinyl nice and cleans her as well. Most doll collectors I have met in the past who do their own restringing have done it exactly like Linda does. I just didn't want to go off long ago memories and am so thankful for this tutorial. Next we need one for Walker dolls they seem to be a combo of different methods.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You are so welcome! I am glad this helped give some tips and ideas for doll care.

[@carmencolon3520]

Linda , I have sweat so much watching you string the dolls. I did refresh with a scoop of ice cream. Thank so much girls.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You are very welcome!

[@carmencolon3520]

You welcome, trying to remember Linda's website for porcelain doll making. Please send it. Thanks

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

@@carmencolon3520 www.uniquelyyoursporcelaindolls.com/

[@peggyrobinson3652]

Thank you so much. All the dolls that I made in the 90's have dead elastic. I have been trying to restring them. The Bleuettets have been a real challenge. Thanks for all the tips and inspiration.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You are welcome! I hope the tips help. Thank you for commenting.

[@juliemann3243]

Thank you Linda & Rachel. My doll is an antique bisque doll & the arms have the holes made into the molds (no wire hook). She was my great grandmothers. I have the elastic & forecips & will attempt surgery. Wish me luck. Thank you.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Good luck, you can do it! Thanks for watching.

[@juliemann3243]

@@RachelHoffmanDolls Looking forward to the virtual doll convention!

[@juliemann3243]

@@RachelHoffmanDolls We did it! Thanks for your great video.

[@valt8744]

Really enjoyed this doll stringing tutorial! Thanks Linda and Rachel!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pierregirard1970]

I'm a big guy and I also strugle sometimes when I restring bigger dolls! So congratulations Linda!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

So glad this was helpful!

[@juliette1943]

I love this. Thank you, Linda!!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You’re welcome!!

[@shelmica]

Thank you so much Linda for sharing your expertise. I've strung many dolls but learned a lot of better methods from your video.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susieanderson5714]

Just discovered this wonderful site last week and have now subscribed! I am 72 and now, after 2 sons/3 grandsons, have a 2 yr old granddaughter! Was a huge doll girl but sold off all but 2 of them and a head (my first doll Betsy Wetsy-her body melted). This video gave me confidence to restring my unplayed with MA Lissy Dressed for a Grand Adventure! Cleaned and strung she is beautiful! I have a R&B Littlest Angel Walker that legs are wonky and she won't sit. Is there a Walker Repair video I can learn from? I'm game to try to repair her. My mom made a dress for her each time one for me and she has quite a wardrobe! Thanks Rachel and Linda

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Thank you for sharing and subscribing! We’re so glad you’re here, Susie!!

[@tygerstripes3752]

Thank you and Linda, this was all so great to learn. I know that stringing hard plastic and compo dolls on a single circle loop is the way many of them were originally strung. Does Linda ever use the 'A' stringing for those dolls, where there are two loops of elastic, one joining the head to the legs, and the other joining just the arms? I feel like that gives the doll more adjustability in posing, even though it's not a historically authentic method.

[@rainsunshine7186]

Linda I have put a clean dress on a dirty doll. Cause I was afraid to try to clean it. Lol I will never forget mama saying that doll is nasty. Thank you Linda. Rachel you guys are the coolest.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You are welcome, we are glad this helped.

[@AmericanBeautyCorset]

Thank you so much for this video. I have an antique doll that I purchased at a flea market many years ago. She needs to have restringing. The leggs, arms, and hands are all separate pieces, Would I use the same technique to restring it? The head has a rotating ball with a hook inside. Thanks again 😊

[@terrymilam2083]

I tried the All Purpose Soft Scrub and it worked great! Thanks Linda from Ellen

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Great to hear!

[@Karla-yi5ld]

This was great!

[@joanclayton5212]

Such an enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Our pleasure!

[@Vickie910]

Thank you so much, Rachel and Linda!! I haven't been pulling my elastic tightly enough and my dolls are very loose!!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Happy to help!

[@derwal59]

Love you video. It’s so helpful. My dolls are 8 inches. What size elastic cord should I buy. Thanks

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Let me check, O.K...it looks like #1, but double it...Check with Dolls Parts.Com to be sure tho'...Thanks for being there!

[@eward9499]

I have seen flesh colored acrylic paint recommended as a cleaner. Wipe on and buff off. Do you think this a good idea?

[@taiweannoona1204]

Hi Rachel! May I ask what can I do to repair a china doll from 1860 which has a broken neck that was very badly glued? I think it was crazy glue that was used.😖Ideally it should be dissolved and reglued. I know acetone can disolve it but Im not sure if I should attempt it. I need to do something. It's unstable and sad looking. She's my doll. I won't resell her... please help😂

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Excellent video!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Thank you!

[@chipunderwood8099]

Wonderful practical information,

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Glad it was helpful!

[@7777LORENZO]

I have an Alexandra doll that has yellow clear elastic inside - it is one of the Little Women dolls - I need to add I need help as do not know how elastic runs in there . 8 inches long?

[@Alipotamus]

Where do I purchase the elastic string so I can restring my dolls? Please help! ❤️👍🇺🇸

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

We get our stringing cord from DollsPart: dollspart.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=78_85

[@Wildmushroomss]

This is amazing!! Thank you!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

You're so welcome!

[@calypsosmama2935]

Another great doll repair video! I have a question for Linda.I have heard her say she removes the eyelashes from the German bisque dolls that come in. I have a 30" AM 390 that came with eyelashes. I believe they were added in the recent past. How can I tell if they're original and shouldn't be removed, or a modern addition, and what should I use to remove them? Thanks so very much! Rachel and Linda, you are the absolute BEST!!!!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

A lot of times you can tell by looking at the doll and determining if it looks good or not, and if it’s mohair or synthetic lashes, that’s also a huge clue. This is a great suggestion and I’ll put it in the fold for future videos!

[@calypsosmama2935]

@@RachelHoffmanDolls , thank you for your reply! I actually did remove them today. I believe they were human hair, and not original to my doll. She looks so much better!! I am so thrilled for you, becoming a new mommy! What an absolute dream for a little girl to grow up in a doll shop! Just like you did.May God bless you and Derek with a beautiful and healthy little girl.

[@charlotteantiquepowerengin6277]

Many mechanic hand cleaners I use, including some gojo, contain a lot of pumice. Is that ok?

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

I would avoid anything gritty at all costs.

[@jace3307]

and your vidios are great

[@Verrucca00]

I recently purchased a Toni doll, and the glue on her wig has yellowed. What would you recommend?

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

HI! I do not know the answer to that but someone in the Doll Doctor's Association will likely know. Thanks for watching!

[@carmencolon3520]

Linda what did you used to clean the body of the Tony doll. I just notice I got the body but no head. Any head will do in this body?

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Carmen Colon We really like Gojo to clean the bodies.

[@vintagetalismans8939]

I needed this so bad!! Exactly the video I was looking for. I have so many dolls I can bring back to life now with this knowledge. Thank you so much!!! I hope to join one of the virtual conventions soon. I’m so happy this video is up to see. Great job! She made it look so easy and in minimal time. Gave me the confidence to finally attempt it. Is soft scrub animal friendly? I’ll have to look and see. Liked saved and subscribed! Words cannot say how grateful I am! ☺️ Best Wishes!! 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Thanks for tuning in! Glad it helped! Definitely keep Soft Scrub away from any animal! It works very well, make sure to get the one without the little pieces of grit in it.

[@greanfinisher4014]

I'm a professional restorer in the Chatty Cathy line of pull string talking dolls. With that being said, my sister handed me two Marigold porcelain dolls that she purchased from the Victorian Trading Company some years ago. Well, she subsequently gave those two Marigold porcelain dolls to her daughter, and now those dolls need restringing. At first glance, it appears that the wardrobes will need to be resewed afterwards. Given the age of the fabric, this might require locating new wardrobes for the dolls. Even then, I do not even have the materials nor the tools on hand for such a restoration. Actually, I think that I'm going to suggest to my sister that it would cheaper and quicker all the way around to just purchase a couple of new Marigold porcelain dolls on eBay.

[@nevertoooldfordolls]

I'm repairing my aunt's doll and her body was porcelain but it shattered. So im thinking about putting a cloth body on her

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Love your channel name!

[@Dollytimebabies]

Hi guys I’m so glad I found your video my mother asked me to restring her China babies, without a clue until this.

[@jodeerisney9300]

Have you ever experienced a doll that was supposed to be a bisque head doll that ended up being plaster over something? Like over compo? I started cleaning and Amuso doll head gently with a damp cloth….it seemed ok by the ears …but when I gently wiped the nose, it seemed to begin to take off a glaze and disintegrate the nose! to

[@BunnyKitKat]

Is this for cleaning porcelain dolls?

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Yes.

[@annagiusti3095]

Bravisima bravissima Grazie mille saluti dall'Italia

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@thomasplouffe1363]

I just take the eyes out. I dont know how but ive never broken a rocker eye set. I do that when the eyelid paint is too badly chipped off

[@bbratt5799]

That doll in the back with the dog is beautiful! What kind is she and where is she from? :)

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

I don’t recall that one. You’ll have to let us know what time she appears in the video and we can see for you.

[@bbratt5799]

@@RachelHoffmanDolls i will find it. I believe its towards the end :)

[@bbratt5799]

Right @39:04 I can see her head and bow popping up and the doggy. What kind is she? :)

[@suhirthasivagnanasundaram322]

That doll wash use maduchine Where I can buy

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

HI! We use Twin Pines brand and we purchase it from Dollspart: dollspart.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=107

[@serenabennett3622]

Watched and fairly successfully restrung my all porcelain doll. She’s a tad loose, but no longer in pieces

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Awesome! Congratulations 🎊

[@jace3307]

and help full

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I just bought some Gojo on Amazon.

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Awesome! We like it a lot.

[@covery2006]

I would be worried about chipping the doll using metal clamps with porcelain or ceramic dolls

[@proudtobeanamerican]

Great job, still doesn't look so easy. LOL

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

So true!!

[@carmenramos1503]

Hey Linda

[@JustineCurranhenry-e3t]

How to fix porcelain baby dolls

[@penguin422613]

I'm trying to get my doll repaired and a woman named Linda's repairing it it can't be the same person right she's from nj toms River the one I'm seeing

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Hi! Not the same person. We’re in Denver, Colorado.

[@penguin422613]

@@RachelHoffmanDolls oh ok thank you for the confirmation I just thought it was funny that I found someone named Linda who restores dolls and it's her career That's a cool coincidence

[@jessicaparrott9485]

I have a bunch or porcelain bisque Native American dolls and they are so filthy and all wearing suede or suede type clothing and shoes

[@nanceyupshaw7237]

Ann and Andy

[@loveisgina1]

Sorry not very informative on dolls but how can u tell if your doll is a strung doll

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

Pull gently at the leg joint or arm and see if there is stringing on the inside keeping it together.

[@betsyfeller3378]

couldn't hear the lady, unfortunately. Doll-lover...

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

We have much better sound equipment now. This was filmed live. I recommend headphones or looking at one of our other stringing tutorials. Thanks!

[@princessdiy9078]

I ruined a doll the other day by washing it 🙄

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

So sorry to hear this! It has happened to the best of us.

[@Janescheekychickens]

Hi my doll has a soft head and hard body. And beautiful blue sleeping eyes. She's intact but her eyes got some sort of muck in them. It looks like either paint or facial foundation, beige colour...Some one cleaned them a bit but it really will need cleaning properly. I have no idea how to take her apart or if I could get her back together. This is my first doll. I have brought it for my granddaughters, but she is absolutely filthy. I don't think string holds her legs and arms & head in place. But she definitely has sleeping eyes that still work properly. Ok i watched all this and think I've managed to take in singing. But how do i tell if my doll has strings? Is it that if she has sleeping eyes she will be stringed?