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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Decorated Dress Form

My mom and Aunt had the idea to make decorated dress forms. When they asked me if I would like to join in, even though I had no idea what to use it for, I agreed. (Hello!- -addicted to crafting much?) After we finished (it took two days), I absolutely loved mine!

This is a LONG tutorial, full of pictures. If you want to see the end product, or if you hate the suspense, scroll down!

We started with table-top dress forms from Hobby Lobby. I have seen them at Michael's and JoAnn's too. We used gesso to create a nice, even base color.




We then used some strips of watercolor paper that my Grandma had previously painted on and we tore them down the middle. We did this because we wanted them thinner- you could have whatever size you want. I didn't cut them because I like the ripped look.


Some of these strips of paper we thought would look cool if we embossed them with our CuttleBug machine. Here is a picture of cute Grandma learning what the CuttleBug does.


After that, our gesso was dry, so we painted our dress forms. I chose the color pink just for the fun of it. You could use any color. I also wanted a metallic look so the craft paint I used was a pink metallic.


I also added some other colors lightly here and there.


From there I ripped some images (found online) of old tape measures to match the already ripped water color paper. You can use real ones if you have them! This step is optional.


After the paint dried, I ripped tissue paper and modge podged it to the dress form in various places.


Then, to add more decoration, I glued little diamond shapes in various places on the dress form.


I also glued little heart-shaped sequins into the middle of my diamonds.



Using iron-on transfer paper that we printed from the computer, I chose words, names, dates, and addresses that are special to me and printed them in a pretty font. Then I ironed them onto a scrap of fabric.


Rip or cut the fabric into strips (just like earlier with the watercolor paper and the measuring tape images).


Now you are finally ready to start gluing on your dress form's skirt!


And keep gluing and building layer after layer of watercolor paper, fabric, measuring tape, lace, ribbon, anything!


Eventually, it will end up the way you want it. Code for: put as much as you like on/in her skirt. I think at this point I looked over at my Aunt and caught her talking to her dress form telling her how lovely she is.

Here are the three "ladies" well on their way to bea-u-ti-ous!! (Not to mention that messy table!)



Then start to embellish her skirt. Use buttons, paper cut-outs (hearts, diamonds), tags, anything! We cut out some tags from an old poetry book using our Cricut. Here is a close up of my embellishments, sorry about the shadow of my head.


We attached and glued the tags to the waist with pretty fibers.



I also used the same fiber to wrap a "scarf" around her neck.


I wrapped the same fiber (along with others) around her waist. I finished it off with an antique broach.




Here they are all completed!





I think I am going to either put mine in my bedroom to hang jewelry on, or put her in my craft room. I can't decide!





Remodelaholics Anonymous at Remodelaholic

47 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post and tutorial. That looks like you had such a great time, and the forms turned out totally groovy. I love it!

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  2. Actually, I'm going to feature this project on my Boardwalk Blotter. I will put a picture of your finished project, and then a link back to your blog for the tutorial. You will find it here:

    http://bobbypinsdesignotebook.blogspot.com/

    Be sure to grab a "Featured" button to put on your blog, if you like.

    This is marvelous!

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  3. Too fun!! Oh my lands, you are a hoot and this is crazy fun!

    Love that your grandma joined in! Thank you so much for sharing such a creative idea!

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  4. What fun! I loved watching "dress up"! So cute! Thanks for sharing in the DIY Project Parade! :)

    Roeshel

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  5. Those look like fun! I love the red too! Great!

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  6. These are just gorgeous! Nice work:)

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  7. This looks like a great project to do with a bunch of friends, great idea.

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  8. Okay, I'll admit, I wasn't so sure at first, but that's just extremely cute!

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  9. Hi! I found you through marketing monday's blog hop. I am now following you :)

    Have a great day!

    http://www.livelovelaughwithleslie.com/

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  10. I am now following you...I found you through the blog hop.

    Have a great day!

    http://authormamalone.blogspot.com

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  11. These are so cute! I just decorated a full size mannequin. YOu can see it here:

    http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-love-mannequins.html

    I'm sure yours took so much time and attention to detail.... it just looks wonderful!

    Stop by my blog sometime and say hello!

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  12. Very Cute! These are fun!

    ~Liz

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  13. So cute Court!!! I love this idea. (and the fact that you have visitors from Japan! You're going global little redhead!)

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  14. Liz! Hello to Japan, I miss you! Have tons of fun!!! :o) XOXO

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  15. Looks like a fun party craft! Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings, Grace

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  16. Those are cute!! Sounds like my kinda party!!

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  17. those are so dang cute!!

    I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog - come and check it out!!
    http://madebystephie.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-giveaway.html

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  18. Wow, stunning result. I bet you're thrilled with these!

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  19. LOVE those, especially the pink metallic!

    Just stopping by from Today's Creative! Signed up to follow you! Stop by my blog when you get a chance, I'm always looking for a few more crafty followers! http://juliechats.blogspot.com

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  20. This looks like fun - I love the antique ruler print.

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  21. Gorgeous! I love this project. Thanks for linking this up at Trendy Treehouse. My favorite is the skirt. Where did you find the measuring tape print out?

    Would love to have you add this to our Flickr Craft Pool (if you do, don't forget to link it to this post so more people can see your craftiness)

    http://www.flickr.com/groups/ilovecrafts/

    Have a Craftastic Day! Tara

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  22. HOW CUTE! I really wish we had a HL close by. I would totally run and get one and do this. Great JOB!

    Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

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  23. What a neat project - love the picture of Grandma learning how to use the cuddlebug - how sweet.

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  24. Fun project! So cool that you did it with your mom and grandma! : )

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  25. Cute idea! Visiting from Follow me Friday:)

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  26. Found you on Friday Follow. Love to discover fellow crafters. I'm follower now.

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  27. These are great! I collect dress forms so I once I saw your link I knew I would be in heaven. Seriously, these are just amazing!

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  28. i just redid a dressform as well - so fun to work with - i love the skirts you created for this one - take a look at mine http://mimibellaboo.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-all-about-outfit.html - yours makes me want to add more the skirt of mine.

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  29. Those are cute! :)

    I'm following you from Friday Follow!
    Have a great weekend.

    http://raisingmy4sons.com

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  30. I love that--the skirt i so fun and fanciful. Thanks for linking up!

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  31. Cute! I love Dress Forms and just got a real won for my birthday! I am so excited to start making stuff with it!

    Following from Friday Follow!

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  32. I'm your newest follower. Craft-inspire me! LOL
    Happy Friday Follow!

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  33. Look at you go! Great job! I love that your table is completely filled with crafting supplies!

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  34. Those are absolutely adorable!!! Visiting from Friday Follow! I'm a new follower! Love for you to come visit me!

    Have a great weekend!
    ~Shelley @ Shelley's Swag

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  35. Thise are great...

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thurs. Please join me next week for another great party!

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  36. these are sooo cute! Love, love, love, those skirts!

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  37. LOVE these... what a terrific idea!
    thanks for linking!

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  38. So pretty! I love all the layers of detail you added.

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours day!

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  39. This is such a cute idea! Thanks for linking up this week :)

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  40. Stunning!!! They're so very clever... I just love them. Tyfs :):):)

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  41. Three beautiful ladies -enjoyed the process! Perfect number of pics. :)

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