I have not had a computer this week and, shortly after I have uploaded this, I will not have a computer / internet connection until Wednesday, 6th March. Everyone who has been leaving me comments and messages –
Thank You ! I will try to reply as soon as possible.
Some time ago, I blogged about my version of the McLoughlin Folding Doll House, and I feel I should repeat here some of what I said then –
- I do not have, and have never had, a complete example of the Folding Doll House, and I have only ever handled rather worn and battered examples. For this reason, my miniature version also looks slightly faded and worn.
- I was born and live, and work, in the UK.
- McLoughlin toys are comparatively unknown here and so, rather than seeing them as iconic cultural items, my interest in them veers towards the technical expertise involved in their manufacture.
This being so, a large part of me wants to write at length about lithographic printing processes and modular manufacturing as applied by mid to late 19th Century toy makers, particularly large companies like The McLoughlin Brothers.
However, I suspect that no-one, except me, is even remotely interested in this and so I will keep this short –
The McLoughlin Folding Doll House is one of the things that makes me wish that time travel was possible.
At school, we were taught that Henry Ford invented the production line – my guess is that The McLoughlin Brothers beat him to it by a number of years.
Finally, just a few more things before I leave you to grab the pdfs and start having fun –
- If you make up this house, please be aware that the weight and type of paper that you use will make a huge difference to the result.
- The printer and the ink will make a big difference too.
The walls and floors are here
McLoughlin_Folding_Doll_House_OHM_130301
Papers for finishing the backs of the floors (one spare) are here
McLoughlin_Folding_Doll_House_OHM_130301-a
A walkthrough for making the house is in the slideshow below.
To escape from the slideshow at any time, press the Esc button on your computer keyboard.
This is a page for those who like to Make and Do.
I am going to repeat here what I say there
- If you want to save the pdfs to your computer / a CD / data stick etc. you may do that.
- You may use the contents of the pdf for yourself – and if you would like to make 10 of something and try selling them please go ahead, but do think first of all the other people who will be doing exactly the same thing.
- You may share these projects with your friends and family, and miniature club.
- You may link to them from your website / blog / satellite station, if you have one
- You may customise them.
- You may use them / the design ideas, in whole, or in part, as for inspiration for making your own things.
You may not copy the pdf, or the contents of the pdf, in whole, or in part, and resell them.
A 24th scale version of this house (I have not yet tried this out !) is at the bottom of this post
Hello Elizabeth,
What a most wonderful surprise to wake up to and see this absolutely charming little dollhouse.
I LOVE it so much that I might even print it today time permitting.
THANK YOU so very much for this gift,I certainly will treasure it !!
Many greetings,
Brigitte
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Hello Brigitte,
You are very welcome. Thank you for leaving such a nice comment. I hope that the house works well for you.
All best wishes,
Elizabeth
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Dear Elizabeth – You are so generous to share this design. You know I really wanted to make one of these little houses, and finally broke down and bought a kit for a 3″ version with the idea of “shrinking” it down to 1″ size. I was a bit disappointed in the kit I bought, as it is printed on colored cardstock to give a “vintage appearance”…but at the time I thought it was better than nothing. I am anxious to compare a print of your PDFs to the reduced sized copies that I made from the kit I bought.
However, what I REALLY appreciate is the incredibly detailed step-by-step construction sequence. I could not make heads or tails of the instructions that came in the kit I found. And the specific information you have included about paper weights and types, the binding paper (I was going to try burgundy silk ribbon; glad to know it doesn’t work well), glue AND the varnish are invaluable.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! – Sharon
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Hello Sharon,
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
You never know your ribbon might work for you. I couldn’t get mine to behave at all – I think the problem was mainly due to the short length required.
As for the instructions… I found it incredibly difficult to explain what to do, so I am very, very pleased that you found them helpful !!!
If you have time, let me know how you get on.
Elizabeth
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Queriza Elizabeth:¡Muchisimas gracias por esta sorpresa! me encanta todo el trabajo en miniatura con papel y esta casa es algo perfecto.Voy a intentar hacerla esta tarde. Gracias por las instrucciones, tan detalladas…
Un beso
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Thank you very much for your kind comment.
I am sorry that I cannot write in Spanish, although I can read it – a little 🙂
All best wishes,
Elizabeth
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I’ve had great success using Acrylic Gel both as a ‘glue’ with ink jet printed images and a ‘varnish’ over the top. It comes in matte and glossy and various thicknesses. The little folding house is charming, I would love to find an original somewhere but I’ll be few survived.
Thanks for sharing,
Elizabeth Etheridge
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Thank you for leaving a comment.
Are the acrylic gels that you have used like the ones that are usually used in conjunction with acrylic paint?
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/acrylic_mediums_and_primers/golden_acrylic_gels.htm
I haven’t tried using these on their own, but it sounds like a very interesting idea and well worth investigating – Thank you very much for the tip !
I did find one Folding Doll House for sale –
http://www.alephbet.com/pages/books/22054/folding-doll-house
However, it is rather costly.
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Dear Elizabeth,
You commented on my blog, www. paulasminis.blogspot.nl
You asked me why I did not mention the real maker of the little book and used the link to your log.
But I actually did that. I used the word “link” in my log and behind that was the link to your site with all your beautiful workshops and things.
It was certainly not my intention to act as if this work was mine.
Greetings from Holland
Paula Doeven
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Hello,
Thank you very much for leaving a comment.
I am very sorry, I couldn’t see the link and I was worried that someone in your forum had given you the plans and not said that you could get help putting the house together.
You did a brilliant job !!! – and I was so pleased that it had worked out for you.
I enjoyed looking at your blog very much. Your house feels like a real home. Would you mind if I mentioned your blog – paulasminis.blogspot.nl – in a post here?
Elizabeth
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Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you su much for your answer; it set me at ease again….
And yes, I would appreciate it very much when you mention my blog.
Have a nice day!!
Greetings,
Paula
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Muchas, muchas gracias, es una casa hermosa y tus explicaciones perfectas.
Un abrazo
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You are very welcome !
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This is a great design idea, thank you for posting!
–
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Thank you for leaving a comment.
I followed your link to Twitter and from there to your website.
I have been enjoying the videos there very much – they were a very enjoyable way to start the day 🙂
http://www.theminitimemachine.org/category/videos/
I live in hope that a real-life, full-size publisher will reprint this dolls’ house / book – and I am waiting for the customised miniature versions with deep interest !
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muchas gracias, es precioso
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Thank you very much for your kind comment.
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muchisimas gracias por compartir su proyecto , es precioso , intentare hacerlo.
GRACIAS.
Loly (lolyaliminis)
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You are very welcome. I hope that you enjoy making it.
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