On the side of my need to produce a Buzz army, I like to pick up Toy Story dolls, where possible and hopefully clean them up. I have a Woody, I have a Slinky-Dog, but I recently found my first Jessie. She was quite dirty and needed a wash. Her voice-box was still in working order, so I sent about removing it. Fortunately, there is no unstitching needed, with a hook-and-eye clasp on her lower back being the access I needed.
It makes sense that the opening would exist, as you might need to swap the battery within the span of its play-life. Taking it out, with great gusto, as it was in the tightest of spaces, possible, I placed the doll in a washing net and set her spinning. I knew there was a chance that her age would be against her, and it turns out that she was fine, apart from her chaps.
Lessons Learned:
- Soft leatherette doesn’t like the washing machine, even with a net!
- There’s nothing wrong with a donor-dolly!
- She is still smiling!
- Don’t wash leatherette!
These must be brittle as the wash managed to break the faux-leather cow-print. So, what will be of Jessie, on this occasion. I will play the long-game and wait for another to show up. I will then make a good one from the two, hopefully. It is very likely that this material is going to be brittle from years of love and play, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a remake, rather than a re-use! This on is missing her hat, anyway, so I’m not too worried about her being a donor-doll!
