All About Betsy McCall Doll Clothes And Accessories
The year was 1951. A special feature of the May issue that year was the depiction of a doll named Betsy. This doll did not actually exist yet, but could only be found on the pages of this magazine. In 1957, however, the first Betsy McCall dolls began to be produced -- an 8 inch, hard-plastic doll that was an instant hit with both children and adults. Today Betsy McCall dolls are still being produced by the Tonner Doll Company.
How to Care for Your Betsy McCall Doll Clothes
Caring for your precious Betsy McCall doll clothes can be summarized under three major categories: proper storage of the doll clothes, caring for the clothes while they are on the doll and finally the proper cleaning and repair of your Betsy McCall doll clothes.
Many people desire to store unused Betsy McCall doll clothes and accessories, especially those pieces that are not currently being worn on any doll. My recommendation would be to purchase some acid-free tissue paper to store the clothes in. If you have a box or a storage container which is dustproof and waterproof in which you can store your Betsy McCall doll clothes, so much the better. It is a good practice to periodically inspect any doll clothes that you have stored for signs out of moth infestation or mold or mildew. Of course it should go without saying that any Betsy McCall doll clothes that have been stored should be stored away from sunlight and heat, and should be kept dry at all times as well. When you are displaying Betsy McCall doll clothes on the dolls themselves, make sure that the dolls are not on display in an area of your home that is exposed to any type of moisture, insects or direct sunlight. Many doll collectors will refrain from putting shoes on their dolls, as shoes worn on dolls for long periods of time can actually stain the dolls feet. If your Betsy McCall doll clothes collection includes shoes, you might decide to display the shoes along side of the doll, instead of on the doll itself. If your Betsy McCall doll clothes are in need of repair, or are dirty and are in need of cleaning, you must be very, very careful. The fabrics used in making some Betsy McCall doll clothes may be very delicate, and very fragile -- and easily damaged, especially by amateurs! If your Betsy McCall doll clothes are in need of repairs, you should try to contact the person or company who manufactured those clothes. The manufacturer or maker of the clothes knows the most about them, and our best prepared to handle any repairs that may be necessary. If you cannot locate the original manufacturer, you may be able to get some help from a neighborhood seamstress or tailor shop. Cleaning up all doll clothes -- and this includes Betsy McCall doll clothes as well -- can be very tricky. The last thing you want to do is to throw your Betsy McCall doll clothes into your clothes washer. Many of the fabrics are not colorfast, and some outfits are not sewn but glued together. This means that if they are not cleaned properly your Betsy McCall doll clothes could quite literally fall apart or at least be damaged beyond any possibility of repair. In general I would say that your Betsy McCall doll clothes collection is probably too precious to you -- and represents too great a financial investment -- for you to risk it all on a cleaning or laundry attempt in your own home. Again, you can check with the manufacturer of the clothing, or in a pinch perhaps even contact your local dry cleaner for their input.
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