Made a redneck dress form :)

[Deleted]

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

[claytonpiano]

DH's grandmother did this years and years ago with masking tape. I always wanted to do this, but keep thinking how hot and claustrophobic I would be during the process.

Her clothes always fit perfectly!

[Deleted]

I did have a little panic attack while he was cutting it off, I have to admit.

[Deleted]

Apr 5, 2015 1:08:31 GMT @fffarmergirl said:

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

I am sorry but this is pure genius! I have seen tutorials on how to do this- and you actually did it- kudos to you!
I love it- I need to do this!!!

[mollymckee]

I've thought about doing that--your the first person I "know" that actually did it. What if DH decides not to cut you out?

[farmchix]

Remember in the 70s when we would use masking tape and then shoe polish it to make it pretty? That's what your post reminds me of. Mollymckee, that is funny! I could see my hubs making that exact threat!

[Deleted]

I remember that - I loved the way it smelled

[okyankee]

I, too, have heard of that. How did you exactly tie it shut? Is there any way to put it on a stand for length? Where did he cut it? On the sides? Up the middle? Sorry, I have heard of it but have never seen it! LOL!

[Deleted]

I just tied knots in the arms and legs of the cuddle duds. I couldn't figure out an easy way to make a stand so I inserted a heavy duty wooden coat hanger before I taped the neck shut. I hang it from a hook on the ceiling when I'm using it. He cut it up the back and I had him cut in a zig zag so it would be easy to match it back up when I went to tape it back together. Just beware - if you stuff it too tight you're going to have to reinforce the tape pretty heavily where you tape it back together, maybe actually wrap it all around. Mine popped open.

Also - it can be scary for people to open the closet and see the dress form hanging there LOL

[whisperwindkat]

Apr 5, 2015 1:08:31 GMT @fffarmergirl said:

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

I am so glad to know this works well because I just bought several rolls of duct tape to make my own! LOL!

[Deleted]

Apr 8, 2015 12:53:54 GMT whisperwindkat said:

Apr 5, 2015 1:08:31 GMT @fffarmergirl said:

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

I am so glad to know this works well because I just bought several rolls of duct tape to make my own! LOL!

If you find a way to make it look pretty, let me know!  Make sure to use LONG pieces of duct tape.  If I was going to do it again I'd probably do two layers of duct tape - horizontal and vertical - and make them as long as possible.  Make the vertical ones go from your thighs all the way up over your shoulders and down to the buttocks so it will hold up well when you go to hang it up.  And take the extra time to really shape the bust area if you're busty.

[calliemoonbeam]

I've read about those for years, but it's scary enough looking in the mirror...not sure I'm ready to face a 3D silver version of ME face to face, lol!     Besides, I live alone...could you just see me asking a casual friend to help me with it??

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2015 6:22:54 GMT calliemoonbeam said:

I've read about those for years, but it's scary enough looking in the mirror...not sure I'm ready to face a 3D silver version of ME face to face, lol!     Besides, I live alone...could you just see me asking a casual friend to help me with it??

What's really wierd is carrying it - it's like I'm hugging myself.

[Deleted]

I think your extra-genius is the coat hanger! And with all the decorative duct tape now, one could run strips for marking too.  Let's see, pink flying pigs for the hipline, butterfly bust?  Or should it be daisies?  How about some zebra on that shoulder?

It is daunting to think of facing your own doppleganger...and that it lives in the closet! Yeeeeee...

[Deleted]

I read this thread just before going to sleep last night. I had a dream that I made a firm to use as a guide to how much weight I lost. When I was feeling fat, I would put that on and see my progress. Can you tell that I went to bed hungry? Holy cow!

The dress form really is a great idea, btw.

[calliemoonbeam]

There you go FG!  If you're feeling down, you can just give your alter ego a hug and cheer yourself right up, lol!

Speaking of dreams, it's weird, I'm always still just as thin and just as young as I was in my twenties in all of my dreams.  In them I'm never fat or gimpy or have bad hair days, lol!  I think it's either some from of denial or else I'm just delusional, ROFL!  

[Deleted]

You guys crack me up!

My midnight moments were plotting cuts with measuring tape tabs at strategic points - doesn't everyone gain and lose weight by season? I did when I was a kid - who wants to eat in the summer, and all the good candy holidays are November through Easter (I count Halloween and Thanksgiving in the same month). I still fuel up in the winter and burn the fat in the summer.

My mother's sisters used to make avatar/character rag dolls of each other that would live around the house. If they visited and the sister found not at home, the doll was left in hostess position.

[jd4020]

My daughter made a form out of chicken wire. She made the body, arms and legs all separately but she hasn't ever put them together. She just formed it to her and then took it off and wired the "seam" together. It's still up in the attic. I've thought about wiring it together and attaching a tutu to it. She & her sister took ballet for many years. I think it'd look great out in the garden.

[Deleted]

Apr 22, 2015 5:05:26 GMT jd4020 said:

My daughter made a form out of chicken wire. She made the body, arms and legs all separately but she hasn't ever put them together. She just formed it to her and then took it off and wired the "seam" together. It's still up in the attic. I've thought about wiring it together and attaching a tut to it. She & her sister took ballet for many years. I think it'd look great out in the garden.

That sounds better looking and lighter weight than the duct tape one.  It could be decorated in so many ways......used for halloween decorations.....I just might have to do this.

[Deleted]

Apr 5, 2015 1:08:31 GMT @fffarmergirl said:

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

I couldn't help myself, I LOL picturing this!!!  

[Deleted]

Apr 5, 2015 1:08:31 GMT @fffarmergirl said:

I'm not going to post a picture of it because it's the ugliest thing you ever saw but it is my exact body double.  I keep it hidden in a closet and only take it out when I have to alter clothes.  It's made out of duct tape    I just put on some old cuddle dud long johns that I didn't mind throwing away and then had DH wrap me in duct tape, from my neck to my thighs and part way down my arms.  Then he cut the whole works off of me, cuddle duds and all, and I tied the arms and thighs shut, stuffed it, closed off the neck and voila.  I put a heavy duty coat hanger in it so I can hang it up in the closet and hang it from a chain when I'm using it.  I've been using it about a year now to alter thrift store finds. 

I have been sewing for +/- fifty years and never heard of this!!!! AND I have so (sew?) many patterns that I rarely have to buy one. Just made jammies for my grandkids - $14!! For a freaking pattern! Anyway, enough about that.   Great idea FG!!! (PS - how is house hunting? - I'm an RN in MO, PM me)

[Deleted]

It works great - one pm coming up!

[dw]

What a cool idea...I really think you should post a picture!

[Deleted]

OK - right now I have it hidden in a suitcase. A torso hidden in a suitcase - how scary would it be if someone opened that suitcase LOL

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2015 21:29:54 GMT @reddirtcowgirl said:

I think your extra-genius is the coat hanger! And with all the decorative duct tape now, one could run strips for marking too.  Let's see, pink flying pigs for the hipline, butterfly bust?  Or should it be daisies?  How about some zebra on that shoulder?

It is daunting to think of facing your own doppleganger...and that it lives in the closet! Yeeeeee...

OK, that just about had me spewing my breakfast on the screen, I laughed so hard!

fffarmergirl, you are so brave to make a body double.  I did the easy thing and bought a dummy, but keep it down to the smallest size in case anyone thinks it's a double of me.  LOL!  It even has a name--Becky.

The kds love her.  At halloween they put a mask on it, get down on the floor, and move it across the room in front of the window and count how many cars slow down to gawk.  I think it serves as a toy more than a dress form!