Dress Form Tutorial ~

Several months ago someone asked me to do a tutorial on

the dress form I decoupaged with vintage sheet music.

I'll try to make this as easy as possible.

You need lots and lots of old sheet music or new depending on

your taste or what you have. You can use old sheet music covers, old book pages,

just have lots of paper to cover your dress form. Just about any thin decorative paper should do.

Here is what you need:

1~Mod Podge, gloss or matte finish 16 oz. bottle

2~small paint brush, sponge, fingers do the job too.

3~30-40 sheets of 8"x10" thin decorative paper, sheet music, book pages, or what you prefer.

4~Scissors or xacto knife.

5~Drop cloth, this is messy.

6~Wet rags for wiping your hands.

There is no prep needed to be done on your dress form. Mine is a newer one

with a styro core and the outer surface was a heavy vinyl shell. If you prefer to sand it lightly

all over, do so. I don't think it's necessary. Depending on what type of surface you have on your form, if it is a vintage form with fabric you can decoupage right over that. You have to use your own judgement.

On the flatter surfaces of my form I used bigger pieces of sheet music. Spread MP on the part to apply

paper, spread paper over that. You can try getting most of the wrinkles out or leave them.

Spread MP on another patch, apply paper. I used larger sheets for larger flat places.

Use smaller pieces of your paper for curves, for smaller curves I snipped so the

paper would evenly lay.  I had decorative sheet music covers and cut those up

and applied to her front waist and belly. When going around those curves snip your paper

so it will lay flat without wrinkles and use smaller pieces of paper. I prefer the smooth look.

If you enlarge the above photo, notice how I snipped

the paper that is laying on her shoulder, you can do that part first then lay the

piece below on last.

* After  you lay several pieces of sheet music use your brush to put one coat of MP over those pieces.

* After you have completely covered your form with paper give it another coat

or two of MP.

On her bustle I cut out a black and white moth and applied it.

You learn as you go with applying your sheet music.

Remember to use smaller pieces for curvy areas and snip when needed to lay paper flatter.

I used very small pieces on her breasts and did snipping in her cleavage. Under her breasts

I snipped a couple sheets of music paper also.

Hope I gave you good enough instructions. I learned as

I went along. If you have questions and finish your project,

send a photo to:

kayinseptember at yahoo dot com

Happy Decoupaging!