I wanted a dress form forever, and I have looked for them everywhere. The really beautiful ones, the old antiques, were way out of my price range and I thought the new ones were still too expensive for the amount of work they required to make them more vintage looking.
So the work started. It involved an old t-shirt and lots of duck tape.
I am not kidding. A lot of duck tape. About an hour and two extra large rolls later, my niece looked like this:
After this step a lot of steps followed that included scissors, more duck tape, cardboard and more duck tape, an old lamp stand found in my father-in-law’s attic (I keep telling you a gold mine that attic), some ingenious work from My Love, numerous newspapers and wall paper paste and finally vintage book pages and some lacquer.
And here she is in full glory:
Side view:
Look at that figure people! That was framed after a real life model! (What do you think, will my niece be grateful when she is 50 to have this reminder of the way she looked when she was 18? LOL).
I am so proud the way she turned out. Finally after so many years I have my own dress form. I will have so much fun dressing her up, but for now I am content at looking at her the way she is.
Oooh wat is ze goed gelukt!! Complimenten hoor! Ik zie dat je Larousse de poche toch niet alleen gebruikt hebt om brieven te vertalen! Maar op Marie Louise heb je er wel zo veel plezier van!
Oooh wat is ze goed gelukt!! Complimenten hoor! Ik zie dat je Larousse de poche toch niet alleen gebruikt hebt om brieven te vertalen! Maar op Marie Louise heb je er wel zo veel plezier van!
You should be so proud, that is absolutely amazing! I think this is one of the best things I have seen on the blogs lately… you outdid yourself! *hearty applause*
You should be so proud, that is absolutely amazing! I think this is one of the best things I have seen on the blogs lately… you outdid yourself! *hearty applause*
OMG so Amazing….never seen anyone make their own dressform but yours is totally superb nice! Have you ever think of make and sell? Why not? I guess everyone looking for these so much especially in blogland
xoxo
Zoe
OMG so Amazing….never seen anyone make their own dressform but yours is totally superb nice! Have you ever think of make and sell? Why not? I guess everyone looking for these so much especially in blogland
xoxo
Zoe
Your dressform is so beautiful! You are most creative to make one yourself – love he duct tape method! The vintage book pages are a wonderful finishing touch.
Your dressform is so beautiful! You are most creative to make one yourself – love he duct tape method! The vintage book pages are a wonderful finishing touch.
Marianne, you are amazing!!! what a truly wonderful idea for making your own dress form…you are SO right the real deal ones are very expensive…i am very lucky to own one…my hubby got her at a thrift store for me last valentine’s day…he had to sweet talk a LOT of people to get her for me…because she WAS NOT for sale…she is one of my greatest treasures…and now you have made a treasure of your very own!!!
Marianne, you are amazing!!! what a truly wonderful idea for making your own dress form…you are SO right the real deal ones are very expensive…i am very lucky to own one…my hubby got her at a thrift store for me last valentine’s day…he had to sweet talk a LOT of people to get her for me…because she WAS NOT for sale…she is one of my greatest treasures…and now you have made a treasure of your very own!!!
Wat is dat gaaf!!! Ik was nooit op het idee gekomen dat je zoiets zelf kan maken! Ik vind Marie Louise prachtig!!!
Hm…wat jammer nou dat ik geen nichtje heb…;-) Neenee ik heb nog genoeg projekten liggen, maar het idee is wel opgeslagen.
Hier kun je echt trots op zijn!
LG – Irma
Wat is dat gaaf!!! Ik was nooit op het idee gekomen dat je zoiets zelf kan maken! Ik vind Marie Louise prachtig!!!
Hm…wat jammer nou dat ik geen nichtje heb…;-) Neenee ik heb nog genoeg projekten liggen, maar het idee is wel opgeslagen.
Hier kun je echt trots op zijn!
LG – Irma
Wat heb je dit prachtig gemaakt zeg….wat een idee is dit.
Echt ware kunst daar zullen wel wat uurtjes inzitten….maar dat was het allemaal waard.
We zullen haar vast nog vaak tegenkomen.
Heerlijk.
Fijne dag
Wat heb je dit prachtig gemaakt zeg….wat een idee is dit.
Echt ware kunst daar zullen wel wat uurtjes inzitten….maar dat was het allemaal waard.
We zullen haar vast nog vaak tegenkomen.
Heerlijk.
Fijne dag
Ik vind ‘m ontzettend mooi! En het is geweldig dat je hem zelf gemaakt hebt.
Dat is echt “one of a kind”.
groetjes,
marianne.
Ik vind ‘m ontzettend mooi! En het is geweldig dat je hem zelf gemaakt hebt.
Dat is echt “one of a kind”.
groetjes,
marianne.
Hee Marianne, stel je toch eens voor dat nichtjelief moest plassen tijdens het “dichttapen”;)))) ! Meid wat een idee, maar wát leuk geworden!! EN inderdaad…..bewaren voor als ze 50 wordt….sarah ziet en met weemoed zucht!!;)
Groetjes
Lynda
Hee Marianne, stel je toch eens voor dat nichtjelief moest plassen tijdens het “dichttapen”;)))) ! Meid wat een idee, maar wát leuk geworden!! EN inderdaad…..bewaren voor als ze 50 wordt….sarah ziet en met weemoed zucht!!;)
Groetjes
Lynda
That is an amazing thing to do! How cool that you went through all these steps and made your own dress form!!!
That is an amazing thing to do! How cool that you went through all these steps and made your own dress form!!!
I came over from Le Temps Jadis blog.
I have wanted a Dress form for a long time as well, and if I can’t find one in the near future, you have inspired me to make one!!
I love it!! ~ And love your toile background on your blog!!
I came over from Le Temps Jadis blog.
I have wanted a Dress form for a long time as well, and if I can’t find one in the near future, you have inspired me to make one!!
I love it!! ~ And love your toile background on your blog!!
I found your through Le Temps Jadis too! I also have wanted a dress form forever, am still saving for a Stockmann Paris if I can ever find one in my budget (fine chance!)
Your mannequin is truly beautiful and I think more so because of the family connection ~ your neice will love you in years to come for capturing her gorgeous figure!
I found your through Le Temps Jadis too! I also have wanted a dress form forever, am still saving for a Stockmann Paris if I can ever find one in my budget (fine chance!)
Your mannequin is truly beautiful and I think more so because of the family connection ~ your neice will love you in years to come for capturing her gorgeous figure!
Geweldig je paspop, one of a kind zou ik zo zeggen. Je hebt trouwens het aantal knopen heel goed ingeschat het waren er 1287 dus zat jij er met je 1234 het dichtst bij. Mail je me even om je adres door te geven.
groetjes Marja
Geweldig je paspop, one of a kind zou ik zo zeggen. Je hebt trouwens het aantal knopen heel goed ingeschat het waren er 1287 dus zat jij er met je 1234 het dichtst bij. Mail je me even om je adres door te geven.
groetjes Marja
wow! What a great job! I didn’t even know you could do that!!!! I got your tags and they are so very pretty!!! xoxo
wow! What a great job! I didn’t even know you could do that!!!! I got your tags and they are so very pretty!!! xoxo
het is geweldig!!!
het is geweldig!!!
It’s unbelievable! Adding this to the Nest Files!
It’s unbelievable! Adding this to the Nest Files!
Eén woord: WAUW!!!!!!! Dit is toch echt knap gedaan! Ha, en grappig voor je nichtje, wie heeft er nou zo’n herinnering aan z’n 18e????
Eén woord: WAUW!!!!!!! Dit is toch echt knap gedaan! Ha, en grappig voor je nichtje, wie heeft er nou zo’n herinnering aan z’n 18e????
Marie-Louise ziet er echt heel mooi uit! Echt goed gelukt al zeg ik het zelf.;) Ook hele leuke reacties! Ik kom haar snel een keer in het echt bekijken!
xx je nichtje
Marie-Louise ziet er echt heel mooi uit! Echt goed gelukt al zeg ik het zelf.;) Ook hele leuke reacties! Ik kom haar snel een keer in het echt bekijken!
xx je nichtje
Oh my goodness! I would love to make one of these! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley
Oh my goodness! I would love to make one of these! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley
OHHH my gosh!!!! she is just GORGEOUS… what a great job you did! I love that your niece was your model. SO cute
OHHH my gosh!!!! she is just GORGEOUS… what a great job you did! I love that your niece was your model. SO cute
That is awesome – I’m wondering if I could preserve my kids that way since they won’t stop growing! Stopping by from SITS, have a great Friday!
That is awesome – I’m wondering if I could preserve my kids that way since they won’t stop growing! Stopping by from SITS, have a great Friday!
AMAZING!!! And she is so GORGEOUS!!! How long did she take you to make?
AMAZING!!! And she is so GORGEOUS!!! How long did she take you to make?
Over from SITS. I am sure it was a labor of love, and it turned out beautifully!
Over from SITS. I am sure it was a labor of love, and it turned out beautifully!
OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!!
Okay…picking my jaw up off the floor now.
I LOVE IT! You should sell the pattern or instructions on Etsy. Heck I would be your 1st customer. I, too hate to pay that much money for a vintage one. That’s a great idea. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!
OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!!
Okay…picking my jaw up off the floor now.
I LOVE IT! You should sell the pattern or instructions on Etsy. Heck I would be your 1st customer. I, too hate to pay that much money for a vintage one. That’s a great idea. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!
ohhh…wat heb je dit ontzettend mooi gedaan, echt heel erg knap, ik heb hier grote bewondering voor!
ohhh…wat heb je dit ontzettend mooi gedaan, echt heel erg knap, ik heb hier grote bewondering voor!
I’ve heard about doing this, my friend and I are thinking about trying it too. Yours turned out great!
I’ve heard about doing this, my friend and I are thinking about trying it too. Yours turned out great!
Wow! You made this?! Really awesome.
Visiting from SITS, stopping by to say hi!
Wow! You made this?! Really awesome.
Visiting from SITS, stopping by to say hi!
That is fantastic!! I am really impressed!
Stopping by from SITS and I’m glad I did.
That is fantastic!! I am really impressed!
Stopping by from SITS and I’m glad I did.
First off I read your profile and we’re so the same with books. I love a good mystery with a woman as the lead/PI. Since the kids I can’t read a lot but thank heaven for the library and downloadable books!!! Yeah
Second off you rock! That is just amazing! I wish I could have one, but I think the boys might destroy it since it would just be for looks!
And third oh how I miss being 18 … LOL
Stopping by from SITS
I’m having a giveaway if you would like to come by, Palmolive! Got to love free … LOL
Alexis @ Running Away? I’ll help you pack!
First off I read your profile and we’re so the same with books. I love a good mystery with a woman as the lead/PI. Since the kids I can’t read a lot but thank heaven for the library and downloadable books!!! Yeah
Second off you rock! That is just amazing! I wish I could have one, but I think the boys might destroy it since it would just be for looks!
And third oh how I miss being 18 … LOL
Stopping by from SITS
I’m having a giveaway if you would like to come by, Palmolive! Got to love free … LOL
Alexis @ Running Away? I’ll help you pack!
Hi.
Stopping by via sits.
Have a great weekend!
Hi.
Stopping by via sits.
Have a great weekend!
Wauw, dit is echt super!!! Mooi gemaakt, hoor.
Wauw, dit is echt super!!! Mooi gemaakt, hoor.
wow wat een geweldig geslaagd object en als je erop uitgekekeb bent vindt je nichtje haar vast wel leuk om te bewaren
wow wat een geweldig geslaagd object en als je erop uitgekekeb bent vindt je nichtje haar vast wel leuk om te bewaren
She is fab!
I am also a huge fan of them…i have a few wasp waisted ones which i love dearly
Be proud…a job well done!
Emma x
She is fab!
I am also a huge fan of them…i have a few wasp waisted ones which i love dearly
Be proud…a job well done!
Emma x
Beautiful…great transformation from duck tape to this. Just Beauutiful!
Beautiful…great transformation from duck tape to this. Just Beauutiful!
So awesome!
Sheila
So awesome!
Sheila
I would love to read this post, but the photos and words are all on top of each other. Is there something wrong on my end? Thank you for your time.
Your blog is quite lovely and I've just today become a follower. I will check back again soon.
Gretchen
http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com
I would love to read this post, but the photos and words are all on top of each other. Is there something wrong on my end? Thank you for your time.
Your blog is quite lovely and I've just today become a follower. I will check back again soon.
Gretchen
http://mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com
I love it ! Very creative ! That's actually really cool Thanks.
I love it ! Very creative ! That's actually really cool Thanks.
Genius! Absolute genius! This turned out perfectly – what a creative way to get what you want for less! {And how nice of your niece to agree to be all taped up like that, hehe! Kudos to both of you!} Thank you for sharing this – I'm so inspired!
Genius! Absolute genius! This turned out perfectly – what a creative way to get what you want for less! {And how nice of your niece to agree to be all taped up like that, hehe! Kudos to both of you!} Thank you for sharing this – I'm so inspired!
This is absolutely fabulous! I have been on the hunt for a dress form – antique one – and it's hard to find exactly what I picture in my mind. You (and Notes From a Cottage Industry) have inspired me now to make my own. I think it's something I can tackle
!
Excellent, excellent job!
Thanks for posting!
Neida-
FariDesigns
This is absolutely fabulous! I have been on the hunt for a dress form – antique one – and it's hard to find exactly what I picture in my mind. You (and Notes From a Cottage Industry) have inspired me now to make my own. I think it's something I can tackle
!
Excellent, excellent job!
Thanks for posting!
Neida-
FariDesigns
So creative! What a great model your lovely niece was. This is a family heirloom if there ever was one. I adore your creative style!
So creative! What a great model your lovely niece was. This is a family heirloom if there ever was one. I adore your creative style!
Ben ik weer!-)*Lieve Marianne,
Deze pop is ZO beauty!
Ik wou deze maken een tijd geleden samen met mijn vrindien en daarna zijn wij toch niet tot eind gekomen…
Now zie ik hoe mooi het can zijn,echt goed!!!
Liefs,
***Violetta***
Ben ik weer!-)*Lieve Marianne,
Deze pop is ZO beauty!
Ik wou deze maken een tijd geleden samen met mijn vrindien en daarna zijn wij toch niet tot eind gekomen…
Now zie ik hoe mooi het can zijn,echt goed!!!
Liefs,
***Violetta***
VERY INSPIRING!!!
I do believe, this is going to be my next project. I would love to make one of these for children clothing! I have the perfect models to choose from,
Thank you so very much for this post!
~Casey Marie
VERY INSPIRING!!!
I do believe, this is going to be my next project. I would love to make one of these for children clothing! I have the perfect models to choose from,
Thank you so very much for this post!
~Casey Marie