Home >> Collecting >> Collecting Vintage Toys

How to Restore a Skookum Indian Doll

Skookum Indian dolls were first created by Mary McAboy in 1913 as more of a character doll than a representation of any Native American Indian tribe. Skookums first had carved, dried apples as heads, then molded composition, a mix of sawdust and glue. In the 1950s and '60s, Skookums had plastic heads. Although widely imitated, most Skookums have faces turned looking to the left. Their hair is painted or is made of black horse hair, embroidery-type floss. They are dressed in Indian blankets that look as though their arms are folded against their chest, although the doll has no arms.

Things You'll Need

Soft artist's brush
Soft cotton cloth
Flesh-colored face powder
Wood putty
Emery-type nail file
Scissors
Acrylic paints
Hair spray or gel
Black fabric
Measuring tape
Black embroidery floss
Craft glue
"Indian" blanket material
Needle and thread

Instructions

- 1
  Dust the doll carefully with a soft artist's brush to remove any debris or dust that has accumulated in and around the face or in the folds of the Indian robe. Do not disturb the hair when brushing and take care around any beaded necklaces or sewn-on beads.
- 2
  Wipe the face carefully with a dry, soft cloth. If the face is made of composition, inspect it for signs of crazing, cracking or chipping. Composition will look like cardboard if the paint has chipped away. Crazing, which are tiny lines, and cracks are caused when the composition is exposed to temperature extremes.
- 3
  Fill in crazing lines with flesh-colored face powder. Apply a thin layer of powder to the face and gently sweep the powder into the crazing lines with an artist's brush. Blow away excess powder. Polish the face with a soft cotton cloth.
- 4
  Fill in small cracks and chips with wood putty. Apply small amounts so you don't damage the surrounding painted areas. Allow to dry completely. Cut a emery-type nail file with scissors into a small strip so the wood putty can be sanded without damaging the rest of the face. Use an artist's brush to remove any debris left from sanding.
- 5
  Mix acrylic paints to match the area of the doll's face that has been repaired. Mix several samples and allow to dry to see which is the best match. Paint just the areas that were repaired. Allow to dry. Several coats may be required to accurately match the color and texture of the doll's face.
- 6
  Check the Skookum's hair. Place the hair back into its original "Indian braid" style, if possible. Apply a very small amount of hair gel or hair spray to the hair to hold it in place.
- 7
  Create a new wig if the hair is missing. Cut a small strip of black fabric that is 1 inch wide and the length of the doll's head from the forehead to the base of the neck. Center 12-inch lengths of black embroidery floss along the black fabric strip, starting at one end and continuing until the entire strip is covered. Sew the floss to the strip; this will be the "part" in the doll's hair. Glue the wig to the doll's head with craft glue and allow to dry. Braid the hair neatly into two braids. Cut the braids to the desired length and secure with embroidery floss.
- 8
  Replace the Indian blanket only if it is absolutely necessary. Remove the old blanket carefully. Unfold it and lay it on the new piece of blanket material. Cut around the edge of the old blanket.
- 9
  Fold and place the new replacement blanket on the doll and secure by sewing several small stitches in places where they cannot be seen.

Collecting Vintage Toys