Hello Rachel detail - 1

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Rachel in the first new dress in decades

The name Rachel was chosen for this doll by the great great neice of her original owner. 

Knowledge of the doll's original name has been lost. Her new name is a family name, chosen in memory of a favorite aunt.

 

Rachel in the early moments of restoration

Rachel in pieces: her head and shoulder plate must be securely attached, arms and hands need to be redone. Note the horsehair stuffing where her arms used to be.

Such a wistful demeanor

In place of the old string, bias stips of cotton muslin will secure Rachel's head plate to her body.

Cotton muslin fabric and organic cotton batting

Arms and hands with slender fingers are cut from cotton muslin, stitched, and then stuffed with organic cotton batting. When sufficiently stuffed, hands are attached to arms.

Rachel mid-restoration

The remnants of her original arms have been removed and placed inside an acid-free and lignan-free pouch for protection and to slow further deterioration.

Rachel's new right hand

Descendants of Rachel’s original owner don’t remember the doll having arms or hands. She probably had kid leather arms and hands at one time.

See UFDC.org and About.com: Doll Collecting for conservation and restoration info

A sigh of relief. The UFDC motto on doll conservation and restoration says "Do nothing that cannot be undone." Following precise directions and photographs, the mini-restoration moves forward.

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