Re-stringing & Tightening American Doll Limbs is an essential skill for any AG doll collector!!! All my brand new dolls had to be restrung to be able to stand properly. Yes, its extremely unfair that brand new (expensive) doll should come with loose limbs (or limbs that become loose within a month of playing) but thats what I love about AG dolls - you can fix them yourself if needed and they will give you many years of playtime! \r
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Re-stringing kits can be quite expensive and they only allow you to fix one doll, so heres what you need to get:\r
❤ 1/8 (3.175mm) cotton covered elastic cord. I bought it by the meter on ebay. You need 3 (7.5cm) per limb so 12 (30cm) per doll if re-stringing all limbs one doll. I bought several meters as all my new dolls needed their legs re-strung. The string I used consists of many elastic rubber strings inside (so if one snaps theres still plenty more supporting the dolls limb) and some people used other elastic cords, not specifically marketed as doll strings as long as they are 1/8 / 4mm diameter to fit. \r
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On some dolls, I unknotted and re-used the strings they already came with, but I found they are much more stretch than the one I got off ebay (it was marketed as stretch doll restringing elastic but you can also find it under elastic cord / bungee rope / shock cord tie down description)\r
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❤ Metal sleeves / clamps / cord end ferrules - these go by many names! as long it is round, metal, can be squashed, and fits around the string, thats what you need. Available probably in most hardware stores, electrical repair shops, etc. I got mine off ebay in a pack of 100 quite cheep. Go for a size in diameter larger than the string - it gets squashed in the middle so it does not need to fit perfectly but it must be easy to thread on! The ones I used were called Uninsulated Cord end Ferrules 16mm but in f they were 6mm diameter\r
❤ Ruler or measure tape & scissors\r
❤ Flat nose pliers - I use small jewellery making/electronic ones as they have small flat grip. I use them to remove the tension cups and to grip and squash the metal sleeves (so you dont need any fancy crimping tools, just flat pliers will do)\r
❤ Hemostat clamps - these are essential in doll making or fixing - I admit, I already have them as Ive been making dolls and stuffing them before I got into AG collecting :). The ones marketed for doll making are very expensive - I got mine very cheap off ebay as medical/surgical hemostats or 8 stainless steel forceps. They are like an extra hand, helping you to grip, hold, or stuff your doll! Of course, you can still fix your doll without them.\r
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Hope it helps!\r
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Thank you for watching, x AC ❤ CraftsAdore ❤\r
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P.S. If youve never removed a dolls head, please watch my other How To videos where I already show it, e.g.