Hi everyone. I just started working on repairing the Chatty from my childhood. I'm a beginning collector. I'd like to find out how to go about cleaning her dress, which I believe is the birthday dress (red velvet on top and white lace with white slip bottom). The bottom of the dress is a bit dingy, but I'm afraid if I wash it, it will fall apart. Are there places that will dry clean doll clothes?

There is an ink or magic marker stain on the top
outside of Chatty's thigh, and I'm wondering if it's removable, or if I should have her leg replaced? If I have her leg replaced, is there any way to know if the replacement will match the one that's there before I buy it?

Another thing I want to find out...is there any way for me to remove the fingernail polish I put on her nails about 43 years ago?

If it helps, I believe my Chatty has body #5, and is "Deborah".

Hello:
I have been collecting chattys for 3 years now. I was fortunate to live close to a man and wife who collect and repair these dolls. Is for the dress. The ones with Red and white color are bad for the red color to bleed onto the white. You might check with your local dry cleaners, but I bet they will not promise you anything. You are best to alway hand wash these old clothing in woolite. But, I'm afraid you may ruin the dress by doing anything. You may concider buying her a better one on ebay.

As for the nail polish and ink. Some use oxy acne medicine. It takes a long time to rid of stain. If you can.. You put in one and leave it for a few days,wipe it off and start the process over again. It may take a good while.

I have never used it. You may want to contact someone who does it professionally.
I have seen her use a product called goof off. It removes marker, and such from walls. YOU DO NOT WANT IT TO GET ON HER LIMBS OR BODY> IT WILL RUIN HER!!
A far as her legs matching. Well they do change colors sometimes from sun and such. So there is no way to tell if it will match. You could buy two and replace both it the stain is so bad. She still will need to have the crotch seam opened to change her legs.

I can give you the information to the lady I know who repairs all the chattys. They do great work and do not use glue to seal them.. it is chemicially done.

Hope this helps. Breda

I have noticed sites on line that will refurbish your doll and claim to be able to remove stained on her skin that no one else will remove. One of these sites is Shelly's dolls. Anyway they have before and after pictures and testimonials. AS for the dress, if the dry cleaner won't do it, what about those dryell home dry cleaning kits? It's worth a try, before you buy a replacement dress.