Dress Form to Christmas Tree Tutorial


Happy Wednesday Friends! As promised, today I am sharing how to use a metal dress form to create a Nutcracker Ballet inspired Christmas tree.  You may be surprised to learn where I found the materials...

Dress Form Christmas Tree


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Beautiful decor doesn't have to be expensive! For starters, several years ago I found the dress form, 50% off at my favorite local thrift store.  I named her Juliet and we have been posting together ever since.  This holiday season, I decided to recreate her as an alternative Christmas tree.  I have seen many variations; from massive garden sculptures made with fresh greenery, to elaborately dressed mannequins.  However, I haven't seen one created with a metal form or ballet inspired decorations as I envisioned.  Juliet just wanted to be a ballerina so I started gathering supplies to create my vision. First, since it was close to eighty degrees here when I started my project, Christmas music was a must for getting into the spirit! Did you know you can stream free Christmas tunes at Pandora.com or Amazon Prime Music?   I love playing music on my Kindle and it's currently on sale--click on the link for the lowest price ever! Now that the music has set the mood, on to the tutorial...



Supplies for repurposed dress form Christmas tree


I found the glittery silver garland for $10 a strand at Big Lots to craft the skirt. By participating in their rewards program, I receive coupons via email.  Depending on the amount of the purchase the discount can be as much as $15 off $60.  I started threading the garland through the spaces in the dress form.  Here's how it looks after the first garland...


Repurposed dress form Christmas tree tutorial



To give the skirt a fuller effect, I cut each garland in half weaving them in out of the form's lines. I used four total; eight pieces. For the most part, the garland laid nicely.  In a few areas, I used jewelry wire to secure it.  


Attach garland for skirt with wire



Once I was pleased with the look of the skirt, I added lights.  I used 3 smaller 50 light strands to avoid having cords that were too long and easily tangled.  Over the years, I have found Home Depot to have the best quality lights for the price.   Now I was ready for the bodice--I used tulle from Dollar Tree. 


Repurposed dress form Christmas tree

I laced it in and out of the top and then wrapped it completely around the whole bodice, adding another strand of lights.  At the waist, I wrapped opalescent chenille tinsel from Walmart and some pink edged trim I had on hand to form a sash.  On the top of the bodice, I added a 1/2 yard of tutu worthy floral trim I found at my local craft store.  Last, Juliet was crowned with a tiara--now she looked exactly as I had envisioned! 

Repurposed dress form Christmas tree tutorial


Here she is with twinkling lights! 


Repurposed dress form Christmas tree


Now for the ornaments! 

Repurposed dress form Christmas tree


The faux pearls draped around her skirt, and most of the ornaments including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcrackers, Christmas tree and bottle brush trees were thrifted! Did you notice the Nutcracker I shared a few weeks ago? He got a coat of Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish in Yesteryear  followed by a dusting of DecoArt Glamour Dust .  Clara is an upcycled Nan's corn husk doll.  I've sold several @Thrift Store Addiction and I'll be sharing more on those as collectibles on Friday! 


Nutcracker ballet inspired vignette


To see sources for the other ornaments and more details, see my first post: Juliet and the Nutcracker: Dress Form to Christmas Tree!  





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  1. This makes me smile. I bet you are loving it!

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  2. Juliet is beautiful. Im sure you are going to enjoy her all thru the holiday season.

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  3. pretty pretty! ... love the glitter tutu! And all the lights...such a glow. Thanks, Sandi

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  4. Very creative Cecilia. She is beautiful.

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  5. Lovely...and that corn husk doll, oh the sweetest! I have one buried in my attic somewhere. Hmmm....

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  6. what a great tutorial Cecilia. Love how you made the skirt! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  7. I've been seeing these dress form trees on Pinterest lately and I just LOVE your rendition! Beautiful!!!

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  8. This is absolutely adorable! I have a dress form and this is a great Christmas idea.

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  9. Just stunning! What a treasure to have all winter. How will you ever change it for Spring?!

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  10. I loved the look of your ballerina dress form! I've been thinking about putting icicle lights on my dress form (which has a dress on it), but I'm worried that the heat from the lights will burn the fabric. What's your opinion? Appreciate your advice, thanks! Michelle

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