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!

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