Arts >> Art >> Sculpture

How to Make a Bendable Mannequin

A life-size bendable mannequin can cost a few thousand dollars brand new, and even used mannequins run a couple hundred bucks. Yet the fashion industry depends on mannequins to sell their hottest trends. Make your own in a few simple steps, using household items and strong fabric tape. Bendable, or "pose-able," mannequins can display your fashion designs, help with alterations, or become striking art sculptures for your home or garden.

Things You'll Need

  • Old long-sleeved T-shirt
  • Old pajama or scrub-type pants or long shorts
  • Fabric tape or duct tape
  • Scissors
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Old pillows
  • Clear packing tape
  • Styrofoam head, available at beauty supply shops or craft stores
  • Drop cloth or old sheets
  • Spray paint
  • Rubber boots or old high-top sneakers
Show More

Instructions

  1. Cast

    • 1

      Using yourself or a friend as the model, put on a long-sleeved T-shirt and some comfortable pants that you no longer wear.

    • 2

      Begin applying long stretches of fabric or duct tape on the sleeves, front and back of the T-shirt until the entire shirt is covered. This will make up the torso of the mannequin.

    • 3

      Use tape to make cuffs along the ends of each sleeve and a hem along the collar and shirt tail.

    • 4

      Cut one line up the back of the shirt with the scissors to remove from the body.

    • 5

      Lay the shirt flat and tape it back together using duct or fabric tape.

    • 6

      Stuff the shirt to create a life-like shape, using rolled newspaper or old clothing.

    • 7

      Make a base for the torso of the mannequin by taping the bottom to old magazines.

    • 8

      Finish shaping the torso for the mannequin into a lifelike form, using the clear packing tape to ensure a snug fit for the stuffing. Double-tape the armpits to lift the arms from the torso.

    • 9

      Make the bottom half of the mannequin by repeating steps one through eight on the pants, while you or your friend models them. Make hems for the legs and a waistband out of tape.

    Head

    • 10
      Styrofoam heads are available at beauty supply stores.

      Attach the Styrofoam head to a "neck," made from the cardboard core from an empty tape roll, using more of the same tape used on the shirt and pants.

    • 11

      Place the head on top of the torso, using duct tape.

    • 12

      Fix the torso to the bottom half of the mannequin with duct tape.

    • 13

      Check the shape of the mannequin, using clear packing tape to tighten any sagging areas.

    Finishing

    • 14

      Place the mannequin on its back, on top of a drop cloth or old sheets.

    • 15

      Spray paint the mannequin the color of your choice.

    • 16

      Attach cheap rubber boots or a pair of high-top sneakers to create a stand for your mannequin. Or seat your mannequin on a wooden stool and tape the back of the legs to the stool's legs with the clear packing tape.

Sculpture

Related Categories