Alright, so I decided to try my hand at making, well, fixing up what I’m calling a ‘Damon Runyon doll’. Wasn’t really planned, you know? I just stumbled across this old, beat-up doll in a box of junk at a flea market. Looked like he’d seen better days, kinda reminded me of those guys from the old black and white movies, the gamblers and Broadway types Runyon wrote about. So I thought, what the heck, let’s see if I can give this guy a second chance.
Getting Started
First off, this doll was filthy. Seriously caked in dust and who-knows-what. So, step one was a good clean-up. Got some warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Had to be careful not to wreck the old paint underneath, what was left of it anyway. Took a while, getting into all the little nooks and crannies. Patience, yeah, you need that.
His clothes were basically rags. A faded, torn suit thing. No way to salvage that. So, I figured he needed a whole new outfit. Something sharp, something that fit the Runyon vibe. Pinstripes, maybe? Yeah, pinstripes felt right. Finding the right kind of fabric in a small enough pattern was a real hunt. Went through my wife’s sewing scraps, then hit up a craft store. Finally found a dark grey piece with thin white stripes. Perfect.
The Tough Bits
Now, sewing doll clothes… let me tell you, it’s fiddly work. My hands aren’t exactly surgeon-steady these days. Cutting out the tiny pattern pieces for the jacket and pants, stitching those small seams – it was slow going. Pricked my finger more times than I care to admit. But I kept at it.
Specific Challenges:
- The Hat: He absolutely needed a hat. A fedora. Tried making one from stiff felt. My first attempt was a disaster, looked more like a lumpy beret. The second try was better. Molded it carefully, gave it that classic fedora dent. Still looks a bit handmade, but it works.
- The Face: The original paint was mostly gone or chipped. Needed to give him some personality. Mixed up some acrylic paints. Tried to give him that slightly cynical, seen-it-all look in the eyes. Painted on some thin eyebrows. It’s not a masterpiece, but he’s got character now.
- Repairs: One leg felt a bit wobbly. Had to carefully reinforce the joint from the inside without making it obvious. Used some strong craft glue and had to clamp it overnight. Fingers crossed it holds.
All Done (Kind Of)
So, after maybe three or four evenings of work, he’s standing on his own two feet again. Got his new pinstripe suit, his slightly askew fedora, and that look on his face. He’s not perfect, still looks a bit rough, a bit weathered. But honestly? I think that suits him. Makes him look more authentic, like he really has walked those city streets Runyon described.
He’s sitting on my workbench for now. Might put him on the bookshelf later. It was a fun little project. Took more time than I thought, had its frustrating moments, especially with the sewing. But seeing him looking sharp again? Yeah, that feels pretty good. A little piece of the past, brought back to life. Kept my hands busy, too.
