This porcelain doll is the smallest patient my doll hospital has welcomed so far. One of her distinctive features is her tiny tufts of real human hair, which help give her the appearance of a Black child. Her owner drew my attention to them in particular: this was an important detail to preserve.

At first glance, everything seems fine. The problem only becomes apparent when you pick her up: her limbs are loose, putting the porcelain at risk of damage. She needs restringing: replacing the elastic cord that holds her parts together.

A Tiny Doll, a Precise Repair

I remove her simple outfit and begin the examination. She is so small that I need a magnifying glass to inspect her properly. Once I can clearly see how she is assembled, the work can begin.

I find the finest elastic cord and reach for my smallest tools. Beside this little doll, even those look enormous.

In the photographs, I have tried to show the restringing process in detail, the work that usually remains hidden inside a doll. Here, even the usual knots or metal fasteners would take up too much room. Instead, I sew the ends of the elastic together.

Back Together Again

The doll is reassembled, and her limbs no longer hang loosely. I put her simple outfit back on. The tiny tufts of hair, so important to her character and to her owner, remain just as they were.

From the outside, the change is barely noticeable, and in this case, that is exactly how it should be. The difference becomes clear when you pick her up again.

All done!