Today, I worked on the second and third floor of the front wall.
Fanned Siding
The siding pattern I used was inspired by Jenny's Willowcrest Dollhouse, particularly her fan design. I applied a similar pattern to my own Willowcrest, which adds detail to the front wall.
Unfortunately, there isn't a precise way to measure this pattern because these dollhouses are not perfectly square, level, or plumb. Any measurements might result in a crooked appearance. The corners and slots of the dollhouse can’t be relied upon either, as the cuts are not exact. Since these are die-cut dollhouses, the cuts are inherently imprecise. Trying to align your pattern with any part of the dollhouse can lead to inaccuracies. To ensure the pattern looks right, you need to eyeball it while gluing. Step back occasionally to see how it’s turning out. Pay attention to three main aspects:
- The patterns on the left and right should match around the window.
- Continuously dry fit the top oval trim to ensure that the siding edges sit correctly beneath it without showing through.
- Make sure all siding edges are positioned under the exterior attic window trim, which also requires ongoing dry fitting.
Don’t wait for the glue to dry before checking for mistakes in your siding. It’s best to plan your work so you can finish it in one go, allowing you to catch errors before the glue sets. I’m using Quick Grab Tacky Glue, which gives me time to adjust the siding as needed. If you're using hot melt glue, avoid that here; it sets too quickly for adjustments. Getting this pattern right takes patience and repeated adjustments. Siding this part of the wall is challenging enough, and adding this pattern complicates it further. However, the final result is worth the effort.
All siding, regardless of its design, needs sanding at the edges before painting. I find it easier to sand after installation. You can use a fingernail file or wrap sandpaper around a strip of wood from your dollhouse kit. Sanding after installation helps prevent splitting and damage.
Windows
The windows are installed over the siding like in previous sections, but since multiple pieces of siding will be under the attic window, you’ll need thin cardboard or an extra piece of siding to cover any decorative holes from behind. Otherwise, the siding underneath may show through.
This brings me to an example of why measurements can be unreliable - notice how unevenly cut this attic window hole is. The dye machine miscut it, resulting in an irregular shape on one side. This flaw is noticeable to me but likely won’t be seen by most viewers. Additionally, since this dollhouse is out of stock, ordering replacement parts isn’t an option right now, so I’ve decided to leave it as is.
Top Oval Trim
I had already finished my trim and was ready to install it. This was fortunate because all-white trim requires a lot of work and time. Having it pre-finished is a relief after creating the complex fanned siding design. If you want different colors for the edges that will show through the oval trim holes, be sure to paint them beforehand. Lastly, ensure that the peaks of your trims align with both your shingle pattern and the center of the attic window.
