Tuesday, March 23, 2010

My Dress Form - Finally!- a work in progress

I finally got to finish my dress form. (Well, "finish" is not the exact term I want to use. I'm sure I will be decorating and redecorating her, but for now the decoupage is done.)

I bought a newer dress form from a coworkers mom because I couldn't find an old one I could afford. I still wanted an aged look so I changed it up a bit. Below is the process...
1. First I used masking tape to cover the entire fabric cover dress form, just in case I want to use it as a real dress form in the future (cause I can always tear off the paper cover I made)
Yep, I covered the whole thing. I used about 3/4 of a roll of tape.

2. Brush Gloss Medium (available at most craft and hobby stores) over a small area of tape and press a torn piece of antique sheet music down, then brush over the music piece.
3. Keep layering pieces and brushing on the medium. (you can see that I started out with darker aged music and lighter aged music, I ended up covering over all the lighter music cause I didn't like the way it looked)

4. Let the decoupage dry for a day, then play dress up. She is wearing my unfinished apron and some nicely tattered glass pearls as well as a choker I made (which is unfinished too, LOL)

Now I just need to finish getting the back porch enclosed so I have room to display her properly. I don't think I've blogged about that. We are enclosing our back deck so I will have a proper studio. As of now my "studio" is in the corner of my kitchen and spread out all over the kitchen table. Like most, I have to get that room where I can. A studio is where you make it, until you can spread out.
I can't wait to get into that area, it will also enlarge our laundry room, be a library for our many books, and a place where we can have jam sessions. We have a lot of guitars because my husband and I play and are teaching our children. And many of our friends and family know how to play as well so we get together and "jam" once in a while. Can't wait for that area too. 

Anyway, glad to finally be able to post pics of my dress form. 
Hope you are having a wonderful day!

5 comments:

Auntie Cake said...

Thespa, she turned out beautifully!!! I love her, what is her name? A masterpiece like that needs her own name!

Good luck with your new studio area! I wish I had my own studio, my kids are getting tired of eating glitter and sticking to the kitchen counter. I do have my own space in our pantry, but I need room to create.

I love the choker btw, and the apron is so sweet. Looks like a productive weekend, you put me to shame!
Kate

Debby said...

Your dress form is gorgoeus, love what you have done to her. So fun to be able to play like this.
Debby

Cynthia K. said...

Oh, I do love your dress form - she turned out gorgeous!! I agree with you that the sheet music did look best all the aged color. And how farsighted of you to think of covering her first in masking tape in case you want to make a change later - very clever...

Cynthia K. (Beauty and Blessings)

Something Special said...

You just have so many wonderful creations. Love the dress form.

a Pocket Angel said...

Thespa, How I LOVE your dress form!! She's delightful...I've always wanted to do something special with my mannequin, you have inspired me to give it more thought.
Thanks so very much for sharing all this information with us. What a big help you've been.
Blessings ~Mary~ :-}

Upcoming events...

I have some VERY Exciting news to share soon. Can't wait to spill the beans!