Hello out there in crafting land from Carolyn Wainscott of Carolyn’s Canvas. I am marking an item off my bucket list that has been there for a few years—a duct tape mannequin. If your bucket list is like mine, it has more added almost daily than is marked off. My great-granddaughter, Hannah, has already begun designing her own clothing at 10 years of age. She wanted to use my mannequin that had been bought for $5 at a clothing store going out of business, so I knew it was time to get to the duct tape mannequin, only it would be for Hannah, not for me. Thus, HANNAH’S PURPLE DUCT TAPE MANNEQUIN came into being, and every proper mannequin needs a name, so she is BELLE.
Let me tell you, if you want to have a fun time, get with a great-granddaughter to make her body double in duct tape. How many 10-year-old girls need their own Purple Duck Tape Mannequin? No matter who the duct tape mannequin is made for, the procedure is the same.
Put on old clothing that can be cut off—we put a garbage bag over Hannah’s shirt also
I had torn several strips of tape before we started. They are attached to the table in the background.
Then, we started applying duct tape
and around and around she went till we had 2 and 3 layers all over,
and when we thought we had enough layers on,
it was time to cut it off—very, very carefully.
Remove shirt—I built up the neck with a strip of flexible foam and duct tape (it could have been done without the foam but was easier with the foam as a base).
Draw and cut cardboard circles for arm, neck and bottom holes—we used a diaper box—and tape cardboard into holes (cut holes into neck and bottom cardboard for tube stand). Tape back together, leaving an opening for stuffing.
Insert tube (this was a cardboard tube from a roll of fabric—quite sturdy—though a piece of PVC pipe would have been fine also), and tape top and bottom to tube.
Stuff firmly—we used plastic store bags (a free source and very lightweight plus some fabric scraps), and tape opening.
Hannah’s Purple Duck Tape Mannequin was finished off with purple duck tape with a metallic finish. Hannah loves it. Here she is with Belle wearing the first skirt she made with Belle’s help. The skirt was made one evening and worn to school the next day.
With Hannah’s next project, she added a skirt to her vest to create a jumper.
The mannequin could have been attached directly to the PVC pipe, but I chose the cardboard tube that could be slipped on and off the stand so it could have other uses—other mannequins, etc.
the stand
[1] 10′ section-1″-PVC pipe-cut into one 5′ section, 4-15″ sections ($3.19) any plumbing supply
[1] 1″ 5-way cross PVC fitting-furniture grade from https://formufit.com/-you might check Home Depot for Formufit furniture grade PVC-about $3 each. I ordered mine online from Formufit
for less than $7 I have a versatile stand
the mannequin
cardboard tube from fabric roll-free
plastic store bags for stuffing plus fabric scraps-free
one 35-yard roll duct tape—from Walmart, it’s only $2.97
4 rolls (10 yards each) purple duck tape from Dollar Tree—$1 each=$4
for less than $8 including tax Hannah has a really cute mannequin to design on
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It took less than an hour for application of first duct tape, the same for the purple duck tape and maybe the same for Hannah to stuff the mannequin tightly.
I think the project is well worth the effort, and Hannah is so proud of her purple duck tape mannequin, Belle.
If you want an economical, easy mannequin for making clothing or for display and love fun crafts, call a friend, put on a pot of coffee and have a great time.
Hannah and I let the camera roll while we were building Belle. Check out the fun we had @
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I hope you enjoy crafting as much as I do! Check in often here at Cheap Eats Thrifty Crafts for new projects.
Carolyn Wainscott
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- My Granddaughter Hannah’s DIY Duct Tape Mannequin for Sewing Projects - May 27, 2021
- Vintage Christmas Crafts: The Tussie Mussie and the Language of Flowers - December 15, 2020
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