Sunday, February 17, 2013

How To Make An Altered Vintage Style Dress Form

Ever see those pretty altered dress forms with romantic vintage lace and embellishments?  Well I have admired them from afar and finally made the plunge to make my own.

Now I need to give credit to ThePolkaDotCloset's Blog which is where I got my inspiration from for this project.  I followed her tutorial very closely for this project.  It is an excellent tutorial giving info such as where to buy an inexpensive dress form along with specific "how to" information on completing the project.  I recommend you read her tutorial as well as mine.

Here is my step-by-step tutorial on how I made my altered dress form:

1.  Buy a dress form.  I used the one recommended the ThePolkaDotCloset from Barr Display.  This basic top form is just $8.95 and is available in both black and white.  A crystal countertop base is also available for an additional $12.00.  Just enter item number 8020 in the site's search box and it takes you to both items.  Here is a picture of the form I ordered.

Basic White Dress Form and Crystal Base

2.  Assemble your equipment and embellishments.  I used some cream colored lace and two types of fringe.  You also need a glue gun and glue sticks.  I bought my glue gun from Walmart selecting one with two heat settings.  The low setting is very good for using on delicate items such as the lace in this project - and it is much easier on the fingers should they come in contact with the glue!  Note I had never used a glue gun before and was a bit nervous ... but it really isn't that hard.

Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (This one is an Ad tech)

Lace and Fringe for Embellishment

3.  Now for the fun part.  Attach your lace or whatever fabric you are using to the dress form.  I placed the dress form face down and pulled the lace around to the back gluing around the outside edges.  I left it a bit long so that the lace hung down a bit below the bottom of the form, but you could tuck it in at the bottom and glue if you prefer.  I then added some fringe around the neckline to make a "collar" and then some down the front of the bust line.  Finally I made a "flower" for the top of the form by rolling up some of the left over fringe and gluing it.

Of course, your imagination is the only limitation here - use whatever you like or have on hand for the embellishments!

Finished Altered Dress Form - Wearing One of My Handmade Necklaces


These dress form make great jewelry displays - I plan to use mine for photographing some of my handmade jewelry.  Visit my Etsy shop (DJAjewels.etsy.com) and you just might find this lovely lady there in some of my upcoming listings.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial!  If you decide to try this yourself let me know and send me some pics of your finished project!  My email is irene@djajewels.com.




38 comments:

  1. Thank you for the shout out! that is so sweet of you and your form looks PERFECT, I love the way the fabric drapes! Last week I blogged about a full size one I just transformed and now I am dressing her for the dress form ball I am having March 11th you should link your form up! This dressing forms is a lot more fun than I ever remember playing dolls when I was young!

    Carol

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    1. Thank you Carol - I had a great time making this form! Your Blog is awesome by the way. Thanks for the inspiration!

      Irene

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  2. Stunning!! I ordered one too but have not had the time to do anything with it yet but I do love the lace on it!! I will be linking up later after I get home from work and finish my post so i hope you will stop by later in the day!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  3. Hi Irene, The transformation had worked out great. The lace top and the necklace are beautiful.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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    1. Thanks Julia ... your dress form is stunning by the way!

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    1. Thanks Michele! Loved the pics of Adele and Josette!
      Irene

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  5. Hi Irene, Your dress form is gorgeous. Beautiful work. I ordered one just like this from Barr, redesigned it and would you believe forgot to add her to my post with the others I share. She is very upset with me too. LOL LOL
    I covered mine with vintage dress patterns then dressed.

    Thank you for sharing your process. Lovely post and blog.
    Have fun, Hugs, Celestina Marie

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    1. Perhaps we can see your newest one at the next Ball or an upcoming post. Can't wait to see her!
      Irene

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  6. Beautiful, Irene! I love the lace! I think that crystal base is great. It really finishes it off nicely {besides allowing it to stand}.

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy! I had such fun designing her!
      Irene

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  7. She turned out beautiful Irene. My sister has been wanting something like my dress form to display her necklaces too, but she said she'd prefer something smaller...Hmmm, maybe she'd like if I made her one of these? Great idea. Thank you and Carol for the inspiration :-)

    Hugs,
    ❤Ana

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    1. I bet your sister would enjoy one of these smaller forms. If you make her one, hope you will let us see her!
      Irene

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  8. Very pretty, and very nice to meet you, Irene, via The Dress Form Ball today! ~tina

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  9. Lovely. Isn't it amazing and wonderful at all the generous sharing of knowledge and how-to's out here in blogland?! Thank you for participating. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

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    1. Truly, it is amazing ... you can learn to do just about anything in the world of Blogs. so nice to meet you at the Ball!
      Irene

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  10. What a wonderful way to display your lovely creations! You did a great job - love all that lace!!!

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  11. Great job! I love the lace on yours. The scolloped edge is so pretty. These forms are so affordable I purchased one for one of my daughters. I wanted her to put lace on it but she had other plans. It turned out lovely also.
    Kinda secretly wanted the lace. I may have to purchase one for myself.
    Ginger

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    1. Hope you get one for yourself Ginger ... and post some pics if you do after you embellish her! so nice to meet you at the Ball!
      Irene

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  12. Great job. I love playing with dress forms too.

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  13. that turned out beautiful, I had no idea you could find those at that price, mine is a full body given to me by a friend
    Helen

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    1. The full body ones are so beautiful. I felt like I needed to start with something smaller though for my first attempt. Maybe I will work up to trying a larger one someday though. Thanks for visiting!
      Irene

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  14. So nice dress form ! I'm pleased to be your newest French follower !
    xoxo from PARIS
    Joëlle

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  15. Thanks so much Joëlle. So glad to have a Follower from Paris!
    Irene

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  16. Very pretty. I love lace - as you can tell from Miss Begonia!

    Judy

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    1. Thanks so much Judy. Enjoyed meeting Miss Begonia!
      Irene

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  17. Just beautiful!
    Love the lace.
    Ball hopping! Such fun!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Elizabeth

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth...yes, Ball hopping is great fun! Looking forward to next year's!
      Irene

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  18. Hi Irene! Your dress form is just lovely.....love the lace! Love your jewelry too! :)I love playing with my mannequins and collecting them. This was such fun!

    Have a nice weekend!
    Debi

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  19. She's lovely and will do your jewels proud!

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