Little Poppets - Doll Repairs

This dear little dolly needed a lot of work with lots of crazing and lifted paint...her face in particular was in a very distressed state....I was able to work on her body and limbs with patching, sanding and repainting.
Her head needed most of the old paint removed, and some splits repaired. Much sanding and smoothing followed by repainting and sealing and she was looking way better...a little slip of a dress because I dont like sending them home naked.
And off home she went to a happy mum.
(*please note, none of this work was done without constant communication with, and directions from the owners. )

Two little dark skinned compo babies came in separately for repairs and makeovers...and had fun hanging out together....
Topsy needed her head put back together and I touched up some worn paint and freshened up her features. She headed home this morning 🏡
Baby #2 was quite a bit more work, requiring removal of all his old paint, except the section on his back where his original mum had written her name and the date 1937....
So after much careful removal, sanding, sealing and repainting, he too is ready to go home as well.

I would have to say this is my favourite party dress ive made so far.
Totally hand sewn, not a machine stitch anywhere....a very special gift for a little girl 💖

The California Girls are finally ready to fly back home to the USA.
When I first saw them, I fell in Love, and knew that they needed me to use all my skills to return them to life.
They are all early Raggedy Ann's from between 1930 to 1960, and have been so well loved.
First step was to undress, remove wigs and carefully unstaffed & disassemble them.
A few days soaking to wash away years of dirt. Washed all their clothes. Then cut an inner layer for each to strengthen each doll, repairs to torn faces arms and legs. 2 had new shoes made, and replacement elastic on all their pinnies and bloomers. The smallest was missing her pinny, so made her a new one from a vintage pillow slip.
Then it was time to reconstruct them...fresh clean stuffing, and for one doll much careful embroidery to repair her face, keeping it as original as possible.
Then I repaired the 3 wigs and added pretty bows.
So they're all ready to go....
Thankyou girls for coming such a long way to visit me.....

'Jack Jack' had been so well loved for so many years that his family thought he was beyond repair....so he had been tucked away safely in a cupboard for many years.
Then they found me 😊
Jack Jack was reborn...
and went home to a very happy family, to chat and be cuddled for many years to come.
He was definitely a challenge as his whole face was virtually gone, but he's looking very smart now with his new shirt with trimmings & bow tie made from the material he was patched up with 💙

Dolls have been with us for such a long time....
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- Jointed ivory doll wearing a gold necklace, bracelets and anklets; its hairstyle imitates that of the empress Julia Domna. Found in a tomb of a little girl at Tibur (Tivoli, near Rome). Dated ca. AD 200.

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome.

This stunning reproduction came to stay whilst she had 2 new fingers and her thumb reattached.
One of those fiddly but satisfying jobs, that give me alot of satisfaction.
How lucky am I that I get to spend my time with so many beautiful creations, old and new....
It truly is a dream come true 🌸😊💜

There's always something different going on here at Little Poppets, this week's adventures included refurbishing a saddle for a gorgeous rocking horse, and a tiny repair to some hide that was loose.
Giddyup young fella....🐎🐎🐎

What's the time Mr wolf???
Time for a good bath and brush and a new tummy....
(His old tummy is now his heart inside his chest)
'Brindle' is now ready to go on holiday with his humans....