Friday, February 11, 2011

Dress Form Made From Recycled Paper Grocery Bags



I was so excited when the store where I work decided to get rid of these forms and I was allowed to take them home.  There were two of them. Not really my style, but I could see the possibilities,  unlike my ever encouraging family that exclaimed, "What are you going to do with those?"  and what they really meant was, "Oh no,  more junk."




Speaking of junk, I have a lot of unused things hanging around.  I've had this coat rack for years, used it here and there, but never loved it anywhere.  I thought it would make the perfect base for my dress form.



I cut off the top and added this plumbing hardware to fit into the metal tube of the form base.




Perfect!




Now I needed to make it a "dress" form.  I added a hardware cloth shaped skirt and duct tape to make a smooth transition. 



Finally, the fun part.  I used paper grocery bags torn into sheets and tea stained  like I did here with sheet music.  Here they are, hanging by the fireplace to dry.



After drying I crumpled the paper (actually I talked my family into crumpling the paper while watching TV, so I guess they can be supportive after all).  I took dark brown Briwax and lightly rubbed it on the paper, highlighting the crinkles.




The paper was then torn into smaller pieces and applied to the form with decoupage medium.








Layer after layer after layer...until



Ta Da!




I have to say, I really loved the way this turned out, but...after I looked at her for a while, her shape was just too realistic and "naked". A little clothing was in order.



I made this top to resemble an old dress bodice.  It is tea stained of course, and embellished with a rosette neckline.  I'll share how I made this in another post. 



I didn't want to cover too much of  my hard work, so I kept it simple.

 








Oh! And did you notice the Paris address at the neck?



I used an address I found at the Graphic Fairy.  I just printed it on to the brown paper, and applied with the decoupage medium.



This whole project cost about $15 in supplies.  Not bad for an antique Parisian dress form. (I can pretend, right?) Now I just need to finish the corner of my bedroom that is going to be her permanent home.

Please visit all the link parties on my sidebar and come back for the next project. 

Janet

60 comments:

  1. Your dress form is just stunning. Love the brown paper treatment. The Paris address is perfect. How fun is this. Hugs, Marty

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  2. wow !!1 way too awesome...some great creativity !!

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  3. Beautiful and SO clever of you! Great job!
    - Susan

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  4. That is fabulous! Has to be my favorite thing I have seen on a blog!

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  5. Janet:

    This dress form project is absolutely amazing! She turned out so beautiful. You are extremely clever and the outcome is so inspirational.

    So glad I stopped in tonight to read about your wonderful project.

    You should be so proud of yourself.

    Cori

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  6. Really really fantastic,she get so pretty:)
    But I have to ask,I look at the things you have done under her..and I wonder which pink do you use at the mirror?Have tou a number?
    Have a lovely saturday...
    hugs hugs

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  7. This is the best do it yourself I have seen in a long time!! It looks amazing! Thank you for the step by step too!

    I'll never pass by one of those mannequins again!

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  8. Janet... this is gorgeous!!! You did such an amazing job!! Great thinking on the coat rack!! I love the bodice you made, too... beautiful!!

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  9. So beautiful!! Love the tea stained bags as a base. http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com

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  10. THIS is impressive and you did an outstanding job both with this piece and your explanation. I got a dress form at a December garage sale for only 2.50 and covered her in an old spanish book. You can check her out on my blog under a heading like A dream come true.

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  11. Wow! That's beautiful, I love the brown paper bag technique, great job!

    Tania

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  12. What an impressive transformation! i love your paper bag technique, too!

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  13. Love the little pretty rosettes. Such a beautiful transormation - love this! xoox

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  14. This is totally awesome. I have a "lady" in my front room and I keep saying I am going to turn her into a floor lamp. I love "ladies" and am always on the lookout for them.

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  15. Beautiful, gorgeous, clever, inventive, wonderful, awesome....I can't say enough how much I LOVE this project! Now I want one! I love your modesty addition and the Paris label made me laugh out loud. Thank you!

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  16. Absolutely fantastic!! I love this- it came out gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  17. This is incredibly gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the how-to!

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  18. How awsome! You have a wonderful creative mind to see that when looking at the form from your store. It reminds me of Project Runway the way you dressed it so beautifully with the roses.
    *hugs*

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  19. All I can say is WOW, what a clever and beautiful idea you came up for it. Happy Valentine Day.

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  20. WOW WOW WOW!!! you are so talented...it is beautiful..you could turn around and sell this for 3x's as much..thank you for sharing.

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  21. That is fabulous! I have been looking for an antique dressform for awhile, but now I will think a little outside the box and do what you did. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Sheila

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  22. You have such pretty and romantic blog... I feel at home here... May you be blessed and may our Heavenly Father shine upon you and yours today...

    Cielo

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  23. L-O-V-E!!...I would love that in my room! I think I would put a little lace shawl around her to soften her look even more. I am so impressed with how you made this...great job!

    Shelly

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  24. What an amazing job you did on the form. I love the idea of brown paper crumpled. . Brilliant! I have 2 really cool metal stands but no form so I am keeping my eyes opened. I know they will show up in my life soon.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  25. Oh Janet this is GORGEOUS. I ADORE it, and can't believe what a difference some paper bags make. That little rosette neckline, is FABULOUS, and it would look amazing as a necklace, obviously :)

    I am so your newest follower, I am always looking for fabulous ways to decorate on a budget, LOVE IT!!!

    Come check out some yummy Romanian Food, we celebrated my moms bday the other day, Happy Birthday Mami post.

    Hugs,

    Bella

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  26. I wanted/needed a mannequin in a big way, so I made one using an old pillow, lots of duct tape and two old bras. You can check it out at http://tallgrassdesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/dummy.html

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  27. This is gorgeous! I love the way it turned out, the blouse, the paris address, every little detail. I've always wanted a dress form. Wonderful job. You show these comments to your family HA! It's NOT junk. It's art :)

    Patty
    nuestrasaventurasentexas.com

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  28. WoW! You did a great job transforming her. Considering the price of antique ones, you really came out ahead! Great Job !!!!
    Thanks for stopping by.

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  29. What? WOW!!!
    I'm in love, this is fabulous!!!
    Everything about this is stunning!!
    SO glad you linked up :)
    XO
    Kristin

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  30. WHat a great transformation!! Would love to find a dress form like this to have some fun with!

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  31. GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
    that is AMAZING! i'm speechless and ... that doesn't ususally happen!!!
    love waht you did! and.....
    it's just generous of you to share and teach how to!
    i do have to try it to!
    i'll add you to my favourite blog list!!!
    THANKS!
    have a great gorgeous lovely day! you deserve it!
    Rosa

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  32. i adore this dress form...how creative are you? in fact...this post alone makes you follow-worthy..so i am!

    would love for you to link this to my 'fridays unfolded'linky @ http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2011/02/fridays-unfolded-6.html

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

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  33. It is just beautiful! And those roses???? Oh Mah Goodness, I can't hardly wait until you show how to make those beauties! Wow!

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  34. Wow...you did an amazing job! Can't wait to see how your made the "clothes".

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  35. Amazing. I love how you added her bottom section. I even love the backdrop with the flowers. Excellent job.

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  36. This is pure genius!!! I love it, I love how you made the skirt and used the coat rack for a stand!! I am totally inspired! I am sooo glad you came to the ball so everyone can see your fabulously creative idea!! Can I have your wallpaper LOL Thank you so much for attending!!

    Carol

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  37. I am absolutely amazed at the transformation! She is simply beautiful!
    Blessings,
    Janet

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  38. I'm in love with your dress form. You did a fantastic job on creating her...omgosh she's lovely. I love the simplicity of her, the top was a perfectly perfect addition and I think makes the form. I can't give you high enough praises...she's absolutely beautiful. Less is WAY more here! I wish I could keep it more simple...but, no...I go over board with my creativity. I hope you will come visit and follow me when you get a chance...love to meet and greet you.
    Have a fun time at the Ball.
    My Hedy is having the time of her life.
    xoso
    Sandy

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  39. What an absolutely beautiful job you di don your girl....breathtaking!

    I lover her sweet simplicity and the transformaiton from before to after is just stunning!

    From a fellow lover of forms,

    Cori
    Starview Sonnet

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  40. What a fabulous dress form!! You did an amazing job and I love it!!

    Thank You for sharing and I'm now a follower :) Have a great night!

    Aledia~

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  41. Fan-tab-u-lous!!!! Thanks for sharing the process you went through. You do top notch work!!!Hope y'all have fun at the ball!!!

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  42. Omg this is magnificent, she turned out gorgeous, you did a beautiful job on her.....
    Thanks so much for sharing her, she will be just beautiful at the ball....

    Smiles~
    Mari

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  43. What a great transformation! I did have to chuckle when I saw the brown paper. When I was in Jr. high , as an art project we tore strips of brown paper grocery bags up and decoupaged with onto a vase and then used a stain on it to make it look like leather!
    Your dress form reminded me of that and I just love the idea!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  44. What a treat to see such creativity. She's beautiful!

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  45. Brilliant! What an amazing transformation. Your dressform is gorgeous!

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  46. Excellent idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
    Susana, a new follower

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  47. Amazing! I sooo want to do this!

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  48. This is amazing! I love it! Great job! :)

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  49. GORGEOUS I jave an old torso just sitting waiting to be redone thank u for the inspiration pinning this for sure so when I get the time to make her beautiful I can look back newbie here from Ohio hopped on over from Under the table and dreaming blog

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  50. Beautiful!You are so talent girl!BRAVO!

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  51. This is amazing! Thanks for sharing. Well done.

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  52. BRAVO!!!!! I love dress forms, these forms are available from a wholesaler even with stand are about 50$ and longer..but the brown paper idea is fantastic!! thanks for sharing..just superb
    a new follower here

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  53. WOW! This is amazing. Great tutorial! I love your new dress form! So beautiful!

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    how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
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  55. Wow. Amazing! So inspiring!

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  56. Bravo! This Dress Form Made From Recycled Paper Grocery Bags is looking soo adorable! Brilliant piece of work great talent you have...

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  57. While researching vintage dress forms on Pinterest I saw your dress form and followed it to your blog. I love what you created for such little cost. Just amazing, so creative and beautiful. Oh, and what you dressed her up with. Wow..stunning. You are very talented. Thanks for such a wonderful tutorial. I adore your wallpaper also.

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