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Maintenance Help restringing a 71CM Charm Doll

May 12, 2022

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    1. Hello everyone! I have a 71 cm Charm Doll boy body I recently sent out to be dyed. I sent him unstrung and while unstringing him I noticed he was strung very very tight. Like...his elastic even not even doubled up is thicker that the hole it goes through. When I got him back I realized I cannot restring him. I tried using string to bring the elastic through and the string broke. Even with my hubby doing the pulling neither of us can get it to go through. I don't want to bore out the holes to make them bigger because I don't want to weaken them. He posed like a dream before I sent him out and I really want to keep that, but I am at a loss for my options. Anyone have any suggestions? Or should I just send him out to be restrung?

      Please let me know if you need any more information; I'd be happy to provide it. Thank you!
       
      #1 lividdarkangel, May 12, 2022
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    2. I'd suggest using flat ribbon not string. Unfrayed you're very unlikely to break say a 1/4 wide synthetic fiber ribbon. For extra leverage use a piece long enough you can wrap the ends around your hand to pull. If it fit through once it should fit through again.
       
      #2 scripple, May 12, 2022
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    3. I think using thin wire instead of just thread would help. Or investing in a string puller. I use a sewing loop turner. It's a very narrow rod with a hook at the end. It can be tricky to use, as the hook doesn't fully catch the folded over elastic, but it can catch a few fibers in the elastic cord and hold on well. I hope that helps
       
      #3 Amberay_SH, May 12, 2022
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    4. Just adding on but if you're going to be pulling with your hand put a glove or wrap your sleeve around your hand to avoid friction burns...I learned this the hard way...
       
      #4 Eggenthusiast, May 13, 2022
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    5. Another tip is to tie the ribbon into a loop and hook it over something solid (such as a door knob), this way you can use both hands to pull. Stretch out the elastic while the part is still on the ribbon, when the elastic is stretched it will get narrower and then you can slide the part on to it. Extra hands will probably still be welcome for this.
       
      #5 Lillith, May 13, 2022
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    6. Thank you for the advice everyone! I'm going to try restringing him today and will let you know how it goes. Hopefully between me, hubby and some ribbon we will be able to get him back to how he was.
       
      #6 lividdarkangel, May 14, 2022
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    7. Well it only took half a day but he is restrung! Had to use a different elastic and he has lost some posability, but he's good enough. Using a ribbon worked WAY better, so thanks you for that @scripple Also wrapped the ribbon around a closed pocket knife so I didn't kill my hands as much, so thank you for that @Eggenthusiast Thank you for the help everyone!
       
      #7 lividdarkangel, May 14, 2022
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