Sunday, May 5, 2013

Instant Vintage Dress Form



I've loved dress forms since I was a girl.  
They're so in style right now, I decided to buy one.
I didn't have a lot of time to distress it, 
but I wanted it to look old.  
So I dug through my scrap vintage linens and lace:


and came up with something I really love!
Here's the step-by-step:








I also added a ribbon around the waist:






Oops!  Misspelled "millinery."  You caught that, right?  :-)  

Finished bodice.


 There she is--all done!  
Now, I just have to figure out what to name her.  

28 comments:

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Laura,
Love this dress form!! You did a fantastic job!!

Hugs,
Deb

the gypsy magpie said...

What can I say except... TO.DIE.FOR.
Oh my gosh- this is absolutely beautiful. So glad to find your blog!
YOUR new follower!
xoTerri

Donna Wilkes said...

Clever and creative - both the dress form and the post! I did not realize you could buy one so cheaply. After reading this I may quit looking for my dream vintage one!

Donna Wilkes said...

Laura, thank you for coming to visit my scoreboard post and becoming a follower. Did you know you are a "no reply" commenter? I wanted to come over and let you know. As I browsed down your side bar of publications, I realized I have been enjoying your art for years. Now following you.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Laura, she is gorgeous! Love all of the lace and the flowers, WOW! I have a dress form that I revamped a while back. I modge podged scraps of fabric all over her bodice. She's pretty cute, but I wish I would have went for the vintage look. She may get a make over next year. lol! So happy that you will be sharing her with Share Your Cup. My forms name was Hilde (when she was a witch). Then she changed it to Penelope when she was all pretty and Pink. After her new makeover she now calls herself, Venice. Yours has a French feel, how about Sephora like the French perfume?
hugs,
Jann

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Laura, Oh she is gorgeous. Yes we were thinking along the same lines with our dress forms. You did an amazing job with all the lace pieces and millinery.
Using the chalkboard for the background was a great touch and very creative.
I will have to check out JoAnn's. I was at Home Goods over the weekend and they had some with different fabrics for 59.99
the one you saw on my blog I painted right over a black and white damask. So they paint up really great with several coats.

Another blog friend, Donna, from My Shabby Chateau named my form tonight. Colette is her new name. I was stumped as to a name. Yours looks like it should have a french name too. Very vintage chic.

Loved seeing your form. You did a wonderful makeover.
Have a great evening. Hugs, Celestina Marie

Bente said...

So very pretty. I`m you new follower

Hugs

Custom Comforts said...

Laura - your dress form looks so dressed up and ready for a night on the town. What a great way to use your vintage laces. She looks lovely!
Cindy

Casadapaulina♥Jabones said...

Es genial
YO hago maniquies, si queréis verlos podeis entrar
el blog.
♥♥♥

Christina Paul said...

just lovely! what a clever transformation!
so glad I stumbled on your blog and am a new follower!

Cathy said...

Hi Laura, she reminds me of Rosalie from the new PBS mini series "Mr. Selfridge" she is young and beautiful, her clothes are made of silk, linen and lots of white and natural lace. If you haven't been watching the series you will love it, London late 1800's

stefanie said...

soooo pretty!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh good grief, this is stunning. I love all of the lace and your beautiful fabrics. You really made this look like a dress. I love, love, love it. Thanks so much for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Laura,
Let me know when you will be hosting another party and i will add your party button and a link to it and also say it is a new party that you are trying to get off the ground in a post that i will also link up....
Email and let me know your plans...

Hugs,
Deb

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I am swooning. She is perfection. Hmmmm a name.... Lacey?

20 North Ora said...

She is beautiful, but certainly does need a name. Come over sometime and see my "Miss Begonia". Aren't they fun? You did a gorgeous job.

Judy

Patty said...

I love what you did with your dress form. I have one I want to dress up and this gives me good ideas. I wish I had a stash of lace like you though!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

She's pretty! Fun to see how you dressed her...can't wait to hear her name!
Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
Blessings,
Cindy

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

So pretty! I love how you used your chalkboard for sharing the details. Great idea!

Fran said...

That is a beautiful creation...she told me her name was Violet.

Lynn Stevens said...

Love how you used the chalkboard to illustrate! Genius Laura!
Hugs Lynn

The Charm of Home said...

Brilliant idea! Love how this turned out! I will feature it today at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Unknown said...

I LOVE her!!! I have one really similar and want it to look vintage. I am off to raid my sraps pile to see what I can come up with. Thanks for the cute (LOVE your chalkboard description) tutorial!!

I am your newest follower,
Julie@http://www.thevintagebarnhome.com

Blissful & Domestic said...

This is gorgeous! I am going to do have to do this to my dress form. Pinning this!

I'd love for you to come link up to my Sunday Blog Hop.

Danielle @ Blissful and Domestic
www.blissfulanddomestic.com

Fluster Buster said...

Laura this is fantastic. It would make a great addition to my craft room. Thank you for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster.

Robin
Fluster Buster

Unknown said...

The "Instant Vintage Dress Form" is well written, just love your dresses and styles. hope to learn more from you! Recommend wedding dresses online uk only

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your personal experience along with these lovely images. The form really looks impressive and classy. You can name her something that sounds traditional and classy.

SewSweetVIntage said...

Great idea! Pinning:)
http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/06/beachy-pillows.html