Dress Form

Duct tape + paper mache mix

Posted by OllieOdd

About

There are a couple of similar projects on here already, but I've yet to see one combine the two common approaches, duct tape and paper mache.

Plus most of this project can be done without the help of a second person, if you're determined! (as I was)

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • flour and water Paper Mache Mixture
  • Newspapers
  • Duct Tape
  • 1 T Shirt

Steps (5 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    First, find a t-shirt you don't mind losing - it doesn't need to have a particular fit, mine was super baggy! Then mummy-wrap yourself with duct tape, making sure to build your boobs out of smaller pieces of tape, to avoid flattening them. Make sure to get your upper back and shoulders as well!

  2. 2

    This where you'll definitely need another person. Cut through the duct tape and shirt in a straight line down your back, then tape the two edges back together (making sure not to overlap them, you don't want to make the mannequin any tighter than it was on you!)

  3. 3

    Next, cover the shoulder and neck holes. I did it by hot glueing fabric to the inside edges of the holes.

  4. 4

    Then pack your mannequin with newspaper, as tight as you can! You must absolutely get as much paper in there as possible, to make nothing will get flattened.

    Now paper mache! The duct tape form shouldn't bulge too much in any place your body doesn't, but if the form looks rounder than you are you can squeeze it back into shape while the layers are wet. I did four layers of mache, making sure to dry it in different positions so no one side got flattened too much

  5. 5

    Your final product! I've been too lazy to paint it, but that's definitely an option.

    I've left it stuffed with newspaper, since that helps it stand on the wooden pole I've created for it. Hollowing it back out and creating a T shaped stand for it (the branches of the T would support the shoulders) is another way you can get it to stand off the ground.