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