How to Restring a Pin Strung Doll

 My most recent doll hospital patient is a tourist doll from Spain or somewhere similar, probably made prior to the 1950s. She came to me for restringing, which seemed straightforward until I took her apart and found she was strung with straight pins. I have never seen anything like it before! So, in case you come across a doll strung this way, here is a tutorial.

Cut a piece of wire the size of the original pins. It needs to be long enough when folded to fit into the limb and then turn to wedge inside. There are no hooks and bars in this type doll so the elastic is held in with the pins. Fold the wire in half and tie on a piece of elastic about twice as long as the distance from the limb to the center of the torso.

Move the elastic knot to the center of the wire and crimp the wire around the elastic so the knot won't slip off. Poke the end of the wire into the limb. When the wire is fully inserted into the limb rotate the wire sideways so it stays in place when you tug on the elastic. Repeat on all the limbs.

Place the limbs in their spots and draw the elastic through the pelvis and torso to the center of the body. Draw each piece of elastic through a bead that fits inside the body. Test all the limbs and if they are tight enough cut some of the excess elastic so it all fits inside the body. Release the body to its regular position.