Changing Hands

Hello all, we're new to the group. I'm Heather and this is März. (Maerz, in case the umlauts don't show up.)

This morning, März's hand came off! The thread inside was frayed, so I think his hand got turned around and snapped. How do I replace his hand? I have a rough idea, but I'm not too sure, and before I did anything I thought I'd ask.

Thanks much!
März and Heather

 

How careless of me! He's a Dream of Doll Hoo.

 

OK, after two hours of careful work, I managed to figure it out. First, I removed his forearm. Then, I carefully removed the thread tied to the elactic. I realized that his hands are tied on to the elastic, then the elastic threaded through the doll, finishing in the head.

While he has a new-style headcap, held on with magnets rather then the twist-and-notch my friend's doll has, I was loath to remove the cord. While I can string German and French antique dolls,
(Bebe, Kestner, and what-not, my first BJD loves. Not that I've ever even HELP a Kestner)
I never had to restring a doll like März. They had arms and legs that where one piece, making just five joints. Hips, shoulders, and neck. Some had two-part torsos, but not many. ANYWAYS, I was worried about stringing März.

I removed his forearm, and fastened some embroidery floss to the elastic. Then I thread it through his forearm, and tied a tiny loop in the end. I put the loop (both ends) into the hand, and used a safty pin from my hoodie to carefuly pull the loop through the hands. After that, I thread it once more through the arm and elastic, and put ONE strange through the wrist.

I pulled everything snug, made it a littly snugger, and tied a few square knots in the edge. I trimmed it close, but not on the knot, and rotated his hands and arms. He's as good as new! And I'm more confidant with him, secure in the knowledge I can heal him.

Heather and März.