The elastic bands used to hold the dolls' arms in place were made from natural rubber, made from the sap of the rubber tree.

Over time, the rubber oxidizes, and "perishes" - it looses its flexibility, goes hard, and crumbles into short, broken lengths, crumbs, and dust - (like the rubber bands shown in this picture)

The perished elastic band can no longer hold the doll's arms in place, and as the band stretches and breaks, the arms become loose, and may even fall out of the doll's body, as has happened here

A suitable elastic band

like those shown here (The colour is not important - the band will not be seen)

The elastic band should be approximately 1.5cm (3/4 inch) diameter, or even slightly smaller

If you can't find a band this small, then loop the smallest you can find 2 or 3 times, to achieve this dimension

A Crochet Hook

(Any suitable size will do - as long as the hook is big enough to hold the band)

If you can't find a Crochet hook, you can make a suitable tool, using a piece of thick wire (we used this large size paper clip)

Once you have straightened one end of the paper clip or wire, use a pair of pliers, to form the free end into a small hook, as shown

(Tip : Don't make the hook too large, as it will be more difficult to thread through the doll's clothes)

If you can't find a Crochet Hook, or a suitable piece of stiff wire, it is possible to use a piece of thin twine, cord, or flat ribbon, (if narrow enough)

When using twine, cord or ribbon, you may also need a large darning needle, to assist in threading the loop through the doll's sleeves and body

(Take care when using the needle!)

Make sure that the eye of the needle is large enough to take both ends of the twine, cord, or ribbon at the same time

First, check that the arm hole through the doll's body is clear and free of debris

(If, because of clothing, it isn't possibe to see the arm hole clearly, make sure you can thread the hook or cord through easily)

Fit the elastic band securely into the hook on the end of the doll's arm

Make sure it is caught in the notch of the hook, as shown!

Thread the hook through the arm hole of the doll, and catch the elastic band and arm assembly securely

Pull on the hook to seat the first arm into the doll's body, and continue applying enough tension to expose a small loop of the elastic band, as shown here

Slip the hook of the other arm into the loop of the elastic band, making sure that it has caught securely in the notch of the hook, as shown

Carefully remove the hook from the band, and re-position the arm correctly into the arm hole in the doll's body

Arms securely re-fitted!

Happy Doll!

Happy Owner!

When using cord, twine, or ribbon, the repair method is exactly the same, except that the elastic band has to be threaded onto the cord before proceeding, as shown here

Pull on the loop of cord or ribbon to seat the arm into the doll, and continue applying enough tension to expose a small loop of the elastic band, as shown

Slip the hook of the other arm into the loop of the elastic band, making sure that it has caught securely in the notch of the hook, as shown

Carefully remove the loop of cord or ribbon from the band, and re-position the arm correctly into the arm hole in the doll's body