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Vintage Shirley Temple Doll Makeover

Posted on July 18, 2010March 13, 2019 by Martha

When my sisters and I were growing up, each of us had one special doll. I don’t remember the name of Jean Ann’s doll (she is 12 years older than I), but I vividly remember Sally’s Toni doll, my Miss Revlon doll, and Mary’s Shirley Temple doll. Sally made wonderful doll clothes for all three of these dolls, which were the envy of all our neighborhood friends (even the ones who were spoiled and generally had nicer toys than us).

My Revlon doll was lost in the panic of my parents’ move to Seattle when my dad became ill. Sally kept her Toni doll for a long time, but eventually tossed it because she was in pretty bad shape. Mary, who is crazy for dolls, managed to hold on to her beloved Shirley Temple doll and all of her clothes.

Several years ago I got it in my head that I wanted to fix up Mary’s doll so she could be displayed. Her Shirley is a 1957 Ideal 19″ “Twinkle Eyes” model with Saran hair and an unusual blue version of the “Stand Up and Cheer” dress. The doll was very dirty, her hair was a mess (although intact), and her original dress was totally unrepairable. It took almost a year to find the fabric for a new dress — a vintage white cotton organdy with a blue flocked coin dot.  I was ecstatic because it was exactly the same fabric as the original. I purchased a copy of the original Simplicity pattern that Sally used, and adapted the short dress pattern to make a reproduction of the manufactured dress. I’m very happy with the way this turned out.

I found the solution for the rooted Saran hair on a blog somewhere. First I cleaned her hair by spraying it with 409.  Then I rinsed it, rolled up the curls on pieces of plastic straws, and fastened them to her head with straight pins. Next I wrapped her rolled-up hair in cheesecloth and dipped it (avoiding the face) into a pan of near boiling water for a few seconds. Finally, I placed her on a towel and let her hair dry completely before removing the straw rollers, which took a couple of days. I wish I had a photo of the “before” hair, but I do have the “before” dress.

Now here is the updated Shirley — all cleaned up with her new hairdo and her new clothes which I made from the same pattern.

 UPDATE:  More Shirley Temple clothes here and here.

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24 thoughts on “Vintage Shirley Temple Doll Makeover”

  1. nancysparrow says:
    July 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Good Golly Martha!! Just when I go thinkin’ you cannot possibly top yourself you go and bring another old and worn out object back to beautiful new life. I so admire your creativity and determination to see a project through until its just right. This was one lucky little doll! I’m visiting my childhood home right now and am about to go up into the cobwebby and hot attic to search for my old Revlon doll. Wish me luck!!!!!!:)

    Reply
  2. kathie says:
    July 18, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    wow I am so impressed, she looks great and just look at that dress adorable!
    I don’t remember the Revlon doll I hope I get to see one someday.
    have you searched on ebay for one?
    kathie

    Reply
  3. Meredith says:
    July 18, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    I enjoyed reading about your project. She turned out great. Your attention to detail and perseverance shows in this project and your quilts. I have a little baby doll I am working on making a special little quilt for. I am now considering making her a new outfit !

    Reply
  4. Steffi says:
    July 18, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Oh Martha, the Shirley doll and her dresses just look wonderful! Amazing how you replicated the white and blue dress. Your sister must be very happy!
    Sissi, the doll my older sister and then me played with, accompanies me now and is sitting in my sewing room. Unfortunately, she has green hair, because my sister put her near a window where the sun could shine on her. I´m still not sure what to do with her, would love to see her in good condition again. She has a huge asortment of dresses my mother made over the years.

    Reply
  5. Ann says:
    July 18, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Wowie Wow WOW, Martha!!! You did a FANTASTIC job! Doing her hair must have been pretty scary in an “I sure hope this works!” way. The dress is just beautiful. Are the rest of the clothes Shirley is styling the originals made by Sally? You have a VERY talented family! Mary must love her!

    I googled your Revlon doll – SO PRETTY, sorry she was lost.

    Reply
  6. Karen Beigh says:
    July 18, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I had a Toni doll when I was young and she had many, many clothes. My aunt made her some very nice ones and so did my sister. That was my favorite doll.

    Reply
  7. Mindy/Minka says:
    July 18, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    Wow! You have outdone yourself!

    First, let me say, I also had a Revlon doll. I think they came immediately before the Barbie era. My mom had a Shirley Temple doll that she got as an adult (to make up for not getting one when she was younger because her family was too poor). The dress on my mom’s Shirley Temple doll was like the one you made but in red.

    What’s with the boiling water? Does that set the curl? I really wish you did have before pcitures.

    What about those other outfits? Did you make those or were they made by Sally? They are all quite splendid! Thanks for posting this.

    Reply
  8. Martha says:
    July 18, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    Thanks, everyone — I guess I should answer some questions.

    I have replaced my Miss Revlon doll, did the boiling water thing on her hair as well, and made some clothes — I couldn’t stand it that I lost that doll, and I managed to find one with the same hair and coloring. I will write a post about her soon.

    The (near) boiling water does set the curl — weird, but true.

    All of the clothes in this post were made by me from the same vintage Simplicity pattern. Sally’s clothes need to be washed and pressed before I can photograph them.

    Reply
  9. Ann Champion says:
    July 18, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    Oh wowie wow wow!!! I’m amazed that you were able to find the same fabric..and make an exact copy of the white dress. The other outfits are darling too.
    I would have been terrified to do the hair the way you did, but it sure looks wonderful.
    What a loving thing to do for your sister…she’s a very lucky girl! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Giddy says:
    July 18, 2010 at 5:43 pm

    OK, on Flicker, I said that the organza dress was my favorite, but after reading the story, I’m AGOG. That is INCREDIBLE and AMAZING.

    Reply
  11. jan says:
    July 18, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Martha, she is beautiful! What a great project! I am sure you enjoyed fixing her up, and it turned out so well! All the outfits are so sweet! I would love to see the Revlon doll and hear her story, too!

    Reply
  12. Kate says:
    July 19, 2010 at 1:26 am

    Hi Martha. Isn’t Shirley just gorgeous! You’ve done a great job restoring her and what a coup to find the exact same spot for her dress. Great job.
    Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and write a comment or two. Never really know if it’s “politically correct” to confess to finishing antique quilts, but I think its OK and I only ever hand quilt them in the style appropriate to their origins.
    I look forward to reading more of your writings in the future.
    kind regards, Kate

    Reply
  13. Holly says:
    July 19, 2010 at 8:04 am

    She looks great Martha! I cannot believe that you were able to find the same fabric.

    I would have been terrified about dipping her hair in near boiling water. Just goes to show that some times you have to just “take the plunge”!

    Reply
  14. Allie says:
    July 19, 2010 at 9:03 am

    You are simply amazing, Martha, is there anything you can’t do! This doll looks brand-new now. She’s GORGEOUS! Love the dress and all the clothes.

    Reply
  15. Charity says:
    July 19, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I have been following your blog for a bit and your attention to detail is remarkable. If only more us took the time to slow down a bit and accomplish something well, myself included.
    As an adult I long for the things of my childhood that are now gone. Even though they are not with me, they still hold so many memories. To have this doll restored, must be such a joy for your sister. It’s an outward example of the love shown for your sister. What a bond between sisters and time through the love of a toy.

    Reply
  16. pratima says:
    July 19, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    Martha, even though I know how attentive you are to the minutest details, I’m still amazed at your patience and you are so sweet to give a precious little doll a new life in spite of all the hard work that’s involved. The dress is very very pretty and the doll looks absolutely adorable (” v “)

    Reply
  17. Cathi says:
    July 20, 2010 at 1:17 am

    You did an incredible job restoring that doll to such fabulous shape. Everything about her looks perfect and her dress is adorable!

    Reply
  18. Shelley Germann says:
    July 21, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    Wow! She looks great! I don’t usually buy dolls, but I would give this a try if the mood ever strikes me!

    Reply
  19. Kris S says:
    July 22, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    She looks absolutely perfect — better than new. You really did a fantastic job. What a precious gift for a sister.

    Reply
  20. Miri says:
    July 28, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Shirley looks fantastic!

    I have my Shirley Temple doll (but its packed away). She was hardly played with (the last doll I ever got) and yours looks totally as good as new-plus you have the shoes! I have only one shoe-guess I did play with it a little.

    Reply
  21. Mary says:
    July 29, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Wow, the pictures look great! Doesn’t she look beautiful? Shirley changes her clothes now when the seasons change! This was such a special gift.

    Reply
  22. Blake Gripling says:
    August 31, 2010 at 6:14 am

    This is quite awesome, and it is so ‘swell to see your Shirley doll like new. Oh, and it’s nice to see her in her brand-new clothes. ^_^

    Reply
  23. Sylvia says:
    October 12, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Hi, I am so excites to see your sisters shirley temple doll. I received that same doll in 1957 it was our first Christmas here. I still have her but she needs some tlc. I was wondering if you are interested in making another duplicate dress? thank you for sharing on how to fix her hair. Im excited to start this new project.

    Reply
  24. JoDee Dickey says:
    February 22, 2017 at 8:09 am

    I have a Shirley Temple doll from 1962/1963. She was given to me by coworkers of my father after I had been hit in the head with a baseball bat. I’m going to try the whole almost boiling water thing. I’m going to roll her hair in pink foam rollers though. Fingers crossed.

    Reply

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