soda crate + dress form display

by | Jun 14, 2016 | All Things Home, buying & selling antiques, Running a Business, Tutorials | 19 comments

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When it comes to creative display ideas, I try to “keep my head down” or “keep my blinders on” to some extent, so that my ideas aren’t too heavily influenced by trends or other creatives. But, sometimes I feel a little stuck in a rut and I need to cruise for some fresh inspiration. It’s definitely a fine tightrope to walk!

As I was getting ready for Lucketts, though, I needed some fresh inspiration and I came across one that was so cute, I decided to replicate it. The idea is from one of my milk paint retailers, Kathe of Warm & Weathered.

She created a display for a dress form out of an antique soda crate. It looks sort of like the holder worn by the guy selling peanuts at a ballgame. Are you tracking with me?

I hunted down an antique soda crate that worked with my brand…blue and white, of course! Soda crates are pretty readily available, so I found one easily. Oh, it does have to have handle holes, though, so the “strap” can be attached to it.

I used some heavy jute upholstery webbing from my upholstery supply stash for the strap…

And I used an upholstery needle and some jute twine to stitch the strap on the the soda crate.

Thread the webbing through the handle on the soda crate, folding it over on itself.

Thread the jute twine onto the upholstery needle and use that to stitch the webbing where it meets…

Knot it at the end first and then use a running stitch and knot it on the other end.

Cut off the excess twine. Repeat on the other handle, making sure the strap is at a good length.

It’s then ready to hang off the dress form! It took about 15 minutes to make and it’s such a cute display.

My antique dress form is an old gal who could only handle lightweight things, like lavender or MMSMP aprons, so keep that in mind when you’re planning out the display. It’s probably not a good idea to load it up with books, unless it’s a sturdy dress form.

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I didn’t get a good picture of it, but we used it at Lucketts to display the aprons. You can see it off the side of this picture…

Doesn’t that dress form look like she’s leaning forward and saying “Oo, my back…” Ha!

This would also be a fun way to serve up snacks at a party…fill the tray with little brown paper bags filled with popcorn or something. Anyway, it’s just a fun little display idea that I thought I would share!

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    19 Comments

    1. Jackie Beardsley

      I’m lovin’ your dress form gal idea! I just happen to have a vintage ole’ girl in my sewing room. To add to your party idea: I’m thinking it will be a fun way to display my “thank you for coming”- goody bags by the door so my guests will be sure to take one as they leave my parties. Thanks for the great idea!

    2. Vicki

      How about guests at a dinner party or holiday dinner leave the cell phones in the basket!
      Nothing worse than looking at the top of peoples heads at a holiday party!

    3. Nan, Odessa, DE

      Wonderful idea!

      Will you be selling pics, postcards, etc from the canvas you painted from Luvkette’s?

    4. GLORIA

      I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT.

    5. Jane

      awesome idea! dress forms have not been selling lately…maybe I need to dress them up

    6. Lynne

      I love it and have several old wood soda crates. Can you offer some other ideas to use these with? I would love to use mine on my porch some way.

    7. Jennifer

      OH what an adorable idea! That is just so cute!! I love Vicki and Jackies ideas of thank you gift holder or cell phone holder also! Thank you everyone for sharing!

    8. Laura Higgins

      I’ve been trying to find a vintage dress form for years. They are so expensive. The one that haunts me was 25 years ago. I was taking my class to the playground at the church school I taught at and passed the perfect old dress form for 50 cents (!!!) at the tag sale the church was having. I could NOT leave my class and buy it and of course it was gone when I went back. Sniffle. So I still hunt. Love the soda box tray, tho!

    9. L. THOMPSON

      Love the BLUE soda crate.. If you find, you should sell these, also. I see from time to time but many priced way too high. Never have seen a blue one, love it.

    10. Marlene Stephenson

      Cute idea, thanks Marian.

    11. Rose

      Oooh I just love this one! I have several dress forms and mannequins and lots of soda crates. I am also going to borrow this idea. Thanks for sharing!

    12. Naomi S.

      I used to have a dress form when I was in my 20’s and designing and sewing clothing for a few clients. Her name was “Rachel”. Why? Don’t have a clue. That’s just what my mom and I called her. She wasn’t as cool as these really old ones; she had a solid body covered with some type of fabric. Don’t know what happened to her–I wish I had her back.

      Anyway, I like the idea you showed for making her “useful”.

    13. B Folk

      Cute, cute, cute!

    14. Kathleen

      Love it, and must confess that I want to use this idea for display at my Fall & Christmas shows! Such a cute idea ~ and I’m happy to say I have a mannequin, a soda crate and even aprons! This is surely an attention getter: something we always want to have!
      Thanks for sharing your “found idea” from Kathe at Warm & Weathered … !

    15. Lane

      I picked up two at the dump yesterday. Was tickled to leave my old wicker rocker I’d had for 30 years and bring home the drink cases. Will probably dry brush (or maybe even restore lettering) and put on my front porch with a couple of plants in them. Enjoyed seeing yours.

    16. Jessica | Petal + Ply

      cute idea! I happen to have a handled crate AND dress form. might just snatch this idea for my craft room redo.

    17. Laurie

      Great idea. I have an old Pepsi white and red crate that says “Freshen Up.” I use it in the summer to fill with glass jars and flowers. Now I’m going to strap it to my dress form! Thanks for sharing.

    18. Penny

      Lol, she (the dress form) does look she’s leaning a bit in angst. Cute idea, though!

    19. DeAnna

      Adorable!

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