DIY minature Mannequin

 

Hello everyone, its been a long time ...

 

I hope you all have been having a great summer so far and I am happy to report that in Belfast, Northern Ireland we have been having non -stop sunshine for 2 weeks!!

 

 

I've been working just a little too hard since May and honestly only getting a still moment to write this blog.  I prefer not to bombard you with blogs, posting thoughts that I haven't had time to think about.  Sharing what I have been up to is very relaxing for me, so here goes...

 

 

I have always loved mannequins, but they are so expensive, so I decided to make one myself.  I really wanted a miniature, but these are over £250 to buy.  Having a padded one, rather than a wire one, means I can design and play with ideas before cutting the full size pattern. 

 

 

 I bought the frame from Dunelm Mill for £9.99 and set to work with some polyester wadding, tshirt jersey and calico. 

 

 

Filling up inside the whole frame to make it solid.  Wrapping wadding around the wire arms to give shape.

 

Shaping up nicely

 

Adding some bosoms and pin-ipples.  Stretching the jersey over the form to shape and keep all the wadding in.

 

Adding curves and definition by stitching through the wadding and jersey

 

Jersey covered stretched and sewn in place. 

Slightly lob-sided, but hey aren't we all?

 

Fitting the back calico cover

 

Shaping the front calico cover

 

 

Sunday sewing...raising the neck height and slip stitching in place.

 

 

I named her Dolly.  She's not perfect, but I am really pleased to have taken the time to make her myself.  Looking forward to adding her to my sewing room.

 

After I made Dolly I came across this website for modern, vintage and antique dress stands www.vintagestylemannequins.co.uk 

 

 

 

Happy sewing, crafting and creating

 

Till next time

 

Christine

 

 

Crafted Couture: Bias Binding with TLC, patience and time

Friday has arrived and that means I am already enjoying a long weekend and an afternoon coffee in my favourite mug.

The weekend never actually means time off as I am just one of those people that even when watching a film, I'm knitting or unpicking something!  I'm sure I am not the only one that does this!!

Later on today I will be designing and making new things for the Three Crafty Birds stand at St Georges market this weekend.  After last weeks trading my sister Linda and I went for a rummage in The Rusty Zip. The Rusty Zip is a fantastic vintage and retro store that is an institution on Botanic Avenue, Belfast.  Lets look inside the bags!...
 

 

The Rusty Zip has just had a complete refurbishment and lots of fantastic clothes swinging on the rails. 

 

I spyed this jacket... I'm a sucker for Donegal Tweed and a real find at £10! 

 

 

 

The fabric is so beautiful, but it didn't deserve to be finished in a tired bawley woven nylon binding.  I knew I had the perfect length of leather at home and that all this jacket needed was a little TLC, and a little patience and time.

 

 

Carefully snipping off the binding

 

Stitching the new leather binding on.

 

Large glass headed pins securely attaching the binding.  Much better looking than the tired binding now discarded to the left.

 

Bias Binding and a good pressing gives the jacket new life, with many more years ahead.  I added a soft leather belt, perfect colour match.

 

 

Think twice before you throw clothes out...give them a second chance!

 

Have a great weekend everyone, happy sewing, creating and crafting.

 

See you next week xx

Christine