Friday, July 24, 2009

Dressmaker's Mannequin reloaded

You will remember, last Sunday I was gifted with this lovely dressmaker's mannequin...


Well, she has a name now - may I introduce you to Miranda! Pattie advised me that this was crucial to the way our relationship would develop - and since Max found her, he was asked to pick her name. Miranda means "admirable" and I think she is quite happy with it.


She has been going through some slight modifactions, so that she will feel more at home with us. I treated her to a paint job; giving her wooden parts a light green colour with a slightly shabby finish.


Then I sewed a new "dress" for her, out of an old sack I found at the flea market years ago, to give her some shabby chic.


The best part of this - the other side of the sack is covered in faded old printing!!


From a Canadian company, Golden Link, this sack was used for some kind of hard wheat product and was obviously shipped to Rotterdam. I think this gives her that something extra! Miranda seems to like it.
Now my Modelling Assistant is ready to go to work...

16 comments:

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Very cool! I'd love to have one of these.

SummersStudio said...

Miranda, looks lovely in her new dress. She is getting her very own personality now. Isn't that wonderful.

The sack reminds me of huge old flour sacks I had at one time. They dated from the 20's and 30's. The backsides of these ones had floral patterns. My mother tells a story, from when she was a very young girl, of trading chickens at the general store during the depression for flour in similar sacks. She got to pick ones that had patterns she liked. These were made into a dress for her to wear to her first day of school.

mairedodd said...

that is so awesome! not only is the mannequin awesome but i love her dress! fabulous vintage - and miranda, how can you not love that name? the beads you brought from the trade show are mouth watering... have fun with those!

sharon said...

I love what you did with this Renate, I'm sure Miranda will bring you good luck!

Judy said...

I just love her new dress! It is perfect! What a lucky girl!!

mermaiden said...

she looks fab! what's her future career? i have a cool old dress form with a metal cage at the bottom. the muslin fabric is all scuffy looking. i love it! it mostly just sits in my studio wearing a witch hat and a vintage velvet cape, but has modeled some steampunk scarves in the past.

TesoriTrovati said...

I wish Miranda had a cousin that could come and live with me! Great find, fabulous repurposing!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Cindy said...

Wow...you are a talented seamtress too! Look at the personality and life you have give the dress form. Miranda has really come alive! I hope to redo one some day too...but paint only as I don't sew. The wheat sack adds the perfect vintage touch.

Sharon said...

I noticed that sack really hugs Miranda's curves...you've got a groovy designing partner! I want one!

lilylovekin said...

I love how you found Miranda hidden away in the dress form. She has turned out lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing her show off your jewelry.

Silke Powers said...

Oh, Miranda is simply gorgeous!! I lover her new dress and that green color you've given her limbs!! :) Silke

The Joy of Nesting said...

Greetings Renate!!!!

We (Annalise and I) love how you let Miranda become her own perso.. eh-hem modeling assistant!!!! Bravo!!! And I'm here to tell you Annalise is just green over Miranda's chic shift!! She move in with a lovely muslin shift that we have been working on aging gracefully. Don't let her know I told you this, but her pedigree is a bit questionable. I found her on eBay last spring and for way cheap. She really is only about 50 years old, and look almost brand new. That's why we are doing a bit of cosmetic surgery :) Well when she saw Miranda's shift all she kept saying was, "I bet's none of those stuck up rusty birdcage floosy will make fun of Miranda's young age" :( Sooooo this weekend we will add another layer of "character" to La Senorita Annalise otherwise she refuses to let me take any more pictures of her :(

Have a wonderful weekend you two and welcome to the sisterhood Miranda!!

Pattie ;)& Annalise
Mazatlan Mx.

Prairie Emporium said...

Renate, I love her new look.

Sherry said...

I was away last weekend and missed "Miranda's" entry into your life...I must say...she is tres belle and of course her dress is from Canada!!! :) I love what you have done to "make her your own"!

Stories They Tell said...

You have inspired me to keep working with my old dressmaker's dummy--old rusty iron and some kind of papier mache right now. But with some padding and a new top layer I think she would be wonderful! Love your blog-- glad I found you.

Beth Hikes said...

I'm so loving what you've done with her. That dress is awesome!