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my latest love

I am still so tired today…I think I could have been tucked in for the night at about 4:00.  So, I’m going to wait a day or two before I share more about the Lucketts Antique Market.  I met a lot of wonderful people and I really want to “do them justice” in the post where I feature them.  Because of that, I’m going to shift gears and share a new addition to my home. 

In my pre-Lucketts shopping frenzy, I found something I’ve been looking for and longing after for quite a while…an antique dress form. 

They are just so stinkin’ cool!  They are not practical, but they look fantastic in photographs, so one has been on my “prop” list for months.  I was in an antique mall in Frederick, MD, looking for some last minute small things to take to the antique market and…in a soft pool of light…with a harmonic choir singing around her…there she was.  (Not really.)  I raced over to flip the tag, certain the price would start with a three and have two digits after it.  It didn’t start with a three…or even a two!  This girl was coming home with me.  I actually reached my hand through the arm, grabbed the center pole and started to wheel her around with me while I continued to shop.  I finally realized I was being a little ridiculous, so I parked her by a ramp that led to the counter.  Suddenly, I got paranoid that a fairly empty antique mall would be flooded with people who wanted my dress form.  I ran back and removed the tag to let everyone else know she was off the market.  It was totally an impulse buy, but it’s one of my new favorite things. 

Check out the wire cage at the bottom!  Oh, be still my heart!
And it will be perfect for photo shoots…
Here she is wearing a silver banner from Lisa Leonard’s Decor Collection. 
…and in black and white.  You can whistle.  It’s OK.  I know she’s hot.

…and baby’s got back. 
Gotta love a curvy girl. 
I think I got too much sun this weekend.  

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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84 Responses

  4. I've never seen a dress form with a wire cage at the bottom. That is the coolest dress form I've ever seen. It looks fantastic as a prop. I don't blame you for snapping it up. I'm so happy for your success at Lucketts, but I knew you would kill.

  6. WOW!! I am insanely happy for you and a tiny bit jealous. She is a real beaut – a true gem, and will be an incredible photo prop for years to come. I will definitely be sharing the news of your score, and if you EVER come across a fab dress form, that you don't need, I'm your girl.

    We did well this weekend – not in the antique world, but we scored a ten dollar serger and two American girl dolls for two dollars each.

  7. a woman after my own heart! I, too, have had this (and still have)on my list. About two years now…seems everyone wants more than I want to pay for them sooooo, I wait. Glad you finally got one…if you're like me, you probably sat and looked at it for a while after putting it into the house. LOL! Have an awesome Monday and a restful nite!

  8. Look at those curves–and it looks like she can be curvy or slim as the spirit moves here! Oh I wish I could change shape as easily. You will have so much fun with her. Be sure to show us more of her in the future! Linda

  9. Hello MMS! I haven't stopped by in a while and just wanted to catch up!

    Love the dress form. I had a neighbor who had one, of course she sewed like a fiend! I think if I got one for my shape it would look more like and egg! LOL!!!

    Have a wonderful day!

    Mary

  10. That is sweet. I remember buying a dress form at an auction about 25 years ago when abercrombie and fitch was selling all their store props…this is when they changed direction from selling to English gents to teenagers! I got it for a song…but somewhere along the way on one of my many moves, it didn't make the trip.

  11. omg! lucky lucky lucky! i'm searching for a unique dress form whether antique or vintage to photograph kids aprons that i sew…i guess it's flea market season and i should get going on that! thanks for pictures!

  12. I think I want to marry her! I too want a antique dress form, but haven't found any for under $300! You're one lucky lady to find this sweet girl. Can't wait to see her in more posts!

  13. LOL I do the exact same thing when I see something I want to buy;) I have had people actually take things out of my hands, so now I hang on for dear life:) She is great. Will look fabulous in your beautiful home.
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

  14. "You can whistle. It's OK. I know she's hot." lol you're so funny. and she's great! i'd LOVE an antique dress form. good find!

  17. Oh La La! she is a beauty! and one's on my list of wants as well…..Great find!
    Ellery

  20. You crack me up! I get itchy with pretend body parts. Even those wooden shoe things. Or all things medical. Do you like mannequin heads too? Itchy!!!

    I love that you love your girl so but I'll stick with my rusty nail filled pickle jars encased in a lovely glow of cobwebs thankyouverymuch. 🙂

    Rest well! You've earned it.

    Donna

  21. I forgot to tell you… one time I came across an old vintage reclining hairdresser chair that had a curler head heater thing attached to it with all these black wires dangling from it like it was set up to shock you. It was on display in a woman's restroom I HAD to use. NICE.

    I never did my business so fast in my entire life!

    Donna

  25. she's a beauty! I have one that I just love but no cage at the bottom. I think I kinda like that look better…might be time to hunt for an upgrade ;0) Blessings, Katy PS Been loving the Lucketts updates, wish I lived closer. Can't wait to see more!

  28. As a vintage clothing dealer I have coveted an old gal like her for many years. Someday my girl will come!! Love yours!

  29. I get the pitter patter of your heart. I have one too. I impulse bought her too and have never looked back with a single regret. Enjoy her….she is amazing.

  31. She's fantastic! I've been dreaming about one myself for awhile – but – true to my usual take on things – I want to MAKE one. I know it won't be an antique, but I get such satisfaction from being able to make it myself! I have an idea of how I'm going to go about it too. Not your usual duct tape and paper mache' . . .

  32. I've got myself two gals (not antiques), named Lola and Lolita. Occasionally, they're escapades are featured on my blog.

  35. Wow – awesome find! And you make me laugh outloud with your "I know she's hot" comment. Ha! Can't wait to hear more about lucketts. When's that spa day so you can recoup and relax?

  36. Ah! She's beautiful! You lucky duck! An antique dress form is on my shopping list too. That is another something you would never be able to find here! You guys have the best stuff! I found one at a yard sale ONE time and my friend Jamie beat me to it by 5 seconds! Hope you get to crawl in the bed early tonight!!

  38. I love it! I've ordered a couple of new ones to play around with for my sewing room. They will not be as fantastic as this find! Lucky girl. : )

  39. OMG…I was there too and this was the only item I wanted. I saw her being loaded up in the van and even commented to your mother as I passed that I was looking at her too just minutes before. I decided to pass her up saving my stash for Lucketts. Good thing because after Lucketts and Leesburg I had no room left for her and the return trip to NY. (I guess I could have left my husband in VA and gave her his seat…LOL!)I'm glad she found a good home! I loved your booth at Lucketts and the many items I fell in love with were already SOLD. 🙁 There's always next year! Laurie

  40. Laurie,

    So funny! My mom mentioned you to me. I am so glad you didn't buy her and I got to take her home. What a small world. 🙂 Yes. She's gone to a great home and you can see pictures of her any time you want.

  43. Can't wait to see all the Luckett's posts this week! And congrats on selling almost everything in your booth. Wish I could have been there!

    And the dress form is a really really cool addition. Hooray for props!

    Emily

  47. Lucky you! I've been wanting one of these for a while now, but hubby thinks I'm crazy. I know he is thinking about just one more thing to lug around at shows, plus he's never been crazy about old stuff. I'm still waiting on just the right one with just at a price I can afford.

    Are you going to name her?

  48. Baby's got back! lol! Hilarious! No body puts BABY in the corner!!…lol 😉 {Dirty Dancing quote} LOVE her…you have to name her…A must! Glad you had a great time at Luckett's!

    Xo, Meme

    BTW, I am having a Chalk Paint GIVEAWAY…ends May 26th…

  49. Why is it that in some hands things like that look like a disaster and in others, pure charm? Your whole blog is pure charm! Excited to be your newest follower.

  50. hi marian,
    when i was a kid in b-ville we had one on the 3rd floor of the house on main st. we loved make believe with the "lady". but of course she did not move with us when we left. i wonder if she is still living up on the 3rd floor?!
    cheryl

  51. What a darling girl! I have two of my own but they are not quite as cool! I have them dressed up with flowers and crinolines in our shop.

    I just recently found you and because of you am going to be selling Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in our shop! Thanks so much for your great posts and inspiring pictures.
    Kim

  52. WOW! what a find! I adore those old dress forms. I found one recently at HomeGoods but it didnt have near as much character as yours!!

  54. …..jealous about now of your great find…lol
    I bet she shows up in lots of your great pictures..looking forward to them all!

  56. I just sold a dress form this weekend…I felt a little bad as she was my first ….but I have two others that are much cooler and much older. My husband threatened to move out if one of the girls didn't go. Have you named her yet? She needs a name. Mine are Mildred Grace and Talulah Rose…just so you know! 🙂
    P.S. She's a looker! 🙂

  57. Oh no. I LOVE those and would also love to find one. I have been watching. It took me well over a year to find CANE BACK CHAIRS(after lusting over yours) – I hope it does not take as long for a mannequin!!

    GREAT FIND!!

    tina

    tinam61@yahoo.com

  59. What a great find!! I'm so jealous! I have a new one that's for display (not for actual sewing), and now you've got me wondering if there's a way to make it look more antiqued like yours…without ruining it.

  60. GET OUT OF TOWN!!! What a great score on the old dress form, I have had one on my list for YEARS and sadly have not been able to find one. It is soooo cool and sweet ~ if you every want to sell, think of me please ('wink'). So happy the sale was a great success for you. You do beautiful work, Marian, and your loyal fan base shows that. For now it is one piece at a time for me, and I can only dream that I will ever be as good as you one day with a paint bush. All your videos and tips are helping me along the learning curve, thanks very much for sharing. Enjoy your rest/relax time. Patty/BC

  62. *** Well, not ONLY did you get to CROSS SOMETHING off your "SPECIAL LIST" (especially after probably having looked at n' waited for SOOOO LONG!), but you found suuuuch a STYLISH one!!! You lucky thing, you!!! KUDOS, kiddo!!!

    Warmest blessings,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

  64. I bought mine this year and she has a cage, she is a Wolf brand and is in fairly good condition. She lives next to my bedroom bookcase and the door to the closet. My granddaughter spent the night shortly after I got her and said, (as she pointed with one hand and the other on her hip) "THAT, is going to give me nightmares!" I explained what dress forms were used for and that this one had lived in the garment district in New York. She at all of eight years old said, "Oh, so she is a model." And promptly named her Molly…

  65. Well you HAVE to give her a name!!! I've always thought one of these would be so neat!! I think my Grandmother had one in her house, wish I knew what happened to it!! My mom and I were talking the other day about a "get away" weekend…I live in Georgia and she lives in Pennsylvania.(We come to PA every summer for a week or so.) I said, "have you ever heard of Lucketts?…I read a blog everyday…" and my mom interrupted me and said, "Miss Mustard Seed? I read her too!!!" Anyway, we want to make a trip to your shop, possibly this summer. I love looking at your blog and all your wonderful creations. Im so glad you had such a successful weekend, all that hard work paid off! God Bless, rest up and maybe I'll find you this summer. :0)

  67. She's beautiful! Funny, I have that banner coming from Lisa right now! But mine says something different. Anyway, this was my first time to your place! Send over from you know what 😉 We have similar style. Can't wait to see your projects and check out your blog further!

    Taylor

  69. I love the way she lists a little to the left. I do too…….after a glass or two of wine. kidding. no, i'm left handed and I'm guessing if she had arms she would be too.

  71. Okay, I've stayed in the background long enough, I have to comment! Girl, I feel your fever with this one. You had to have it! Grabbing on to it was the only choice you had, no other. You did good, I love it and it is sooo you sweety. You deserve this gal!
    Hugs~Carol

  72. Were up at the Emporium? I love that place! Frederick has some great shops along that street. I love your new friend!

  74. She could be Josephine's twin sister..Yes you must name her as she is a girls best friend. I am on the look out for a childs one..my daughter wants one to be her little girl just as she is mine..good find.
    tammy

  75. What a lucky little girl to have you for a mommy! Great find! Now, if only there were enough to go around…..
    ;7)
    Liz

  77. I have loved dress forms since I was a small girl. My grandmother had an old one that she used to sew for herself and for her clients. I would love to have had hers, but I do not know what became of it. She used to let me dress her up, which was just the beginning of the creative vein that soon took over my life. I have several, 2 wire, 2 cloth and last year I found one made of cardboard that was still in great condition, with the stand. I love mine too and they do look fabulous as props in photos. Glad you found your girl and thanks for sharing!
    Jana – Vintage Goods

  81. Love this… in the window at my shop one of my dealers used an old dress form to create an art piece using chicken wire as a skirt and a bird theme. It looks great in our window! It looks great too.

  82. Pingback: cha-ching - Miss Mustard Seed

  83. Just have to ask – I have one on a metal stand, and she has sections, but they are covered with a blue knit fabric. My plan is to carefully peel off the fabric, to the paper/cardboard beneath, then to collage pattern pieces on it, and darken it up….has anyone ever done this to one? I’m not that crazy about the fabric…..suggestions please ~

    1. Yes, I’ve seen a similar thing done. They key is to make it so you love it and it sounds like the fabric currently on the piece isn’t working for you. 🙂

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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