**Unfortunately Photobucket lost all of the original photos I had taken for this post, so I can only show the finished photos.**
It's going to take more than just a few days to properly side this dollhouse since you will have to continue working on the foundation and porch floor as you side walls in segments. I am going to begin with the front wall.
The good thing about the Lily Dollhouse is that the siding can go on much quicker than other dollhouses. This is because you can use hot melt glue to apply the siding, rather than a Quick Grab Tacky Glue, since no components will rest over your siding. The siding will be cut around all of the components instead.
The Lily's front wall is longer than the siding pieces so you have to butt your siding piece together to cover the entire width of the wall. Stagger your joints, just like you would with hardwood flooring. This will keep the joined ends from forming one continuous line going down your front wall.
The lap width of your siding is up to you. Some people prefer wider widths, others narrower. It also depends on the style dollhouse you're making. I used a narrower width this time and used a piece of strip wood as the measuring guide.
Make sure that your siding pieces are straight along the wall and that the lines meet between windows and other components. The edges of these siding strips can vary, they aren't completely straight. This might cause the illusion, in some sections, that the lines are not meeting, but for the most part, you want it to look like they do. Just keep it as consistent as you can and this is best done by standing back, away from the dollhouse as you apply each strip. Do not work at an angle to your wall. Keep the wall facing straight in front of you and at eye level, at all times.
You have to cut your siding around the slots where the porch roof support pieces have to be placed.
Once the siding is installed, you can use a fingernail file to sand the exposed bottom edge of each siding strip. Be gentle, so you don't split the siding. You can then paint the siding.
Work in segments, so you don't get tired. Getting tired of siding can cause you to begin making mistakes or becoming careless in the application of each strip. You will regret that in the end, because a badly sided dollhouse does not look nice. So, I suggest you side for awhile and then stop and work on something else. Good thing the foundation will certainly keep you busy.
Once the siding is complete, you can install the window sills and pediments. Remember to hide the gap between the sill and the casing, which is caused by the siding underneath, with spackle. You will need to do numerous touch ups to these windows so just give yourself some days for completion.
