Homemade Mannequin

How many times have you found yourself with creativity and motivation to sew something for one of your kiddos after everyone else has gone to bed/school/friend's house/where ever??

And then you find yourself wishing you had a mannequin Kiddo's size.....but have you priced those things?!?!  Geesh!  I don't know about you but I'd rather shell out those bucks for fabric and other fun items....not the mannequin....though it really would come in handy....

Well, I have a solution!  AND it's CHEAP!!!

Here's what you need:
Cute Kiddo, Plastic Wrap, Duck Tape, Scissors and Newspaper/Plastic Sacks

First and foremost, you know your kiddo better than I do.  If you don't think your child will hold still long enough (20 minutes) or will get upset by being all wrapped up and unable to move then DO NOT do this!  Honestly, my 2 year old did better than my 4 year old, so it's not really an age thing.  Again, you know your child, only do this if YOU feel HE/SHE can handle it and DO NOT do this with babies.

Also, please please please, do this in a COOL room.  It was 73 degrees F in our house and my kiddos broke a sweat in the very short time it was on them.

First Step:  Put Kiddo's hair up in a pony tail, wouldn't want to get that stuck in the tape!  Undress Kiddo down to undies.

Then you are going to wrap your kiddo in the plastic wrap.  Be sure to wrap beyond the areas you will be duct-taping so as to avoid any tape on the skin.  Also be sure to get the under arm area and thighs.  Don't wrap too tight, the goal is to cover and protect from the tape.

Now you are ready for the Duck Tape! 

Right about now your kiddo will probably have to pee.

Now, pull the tape away from the plastic wrap and cut using BLUNT scissors (I'd love to get my hands on a pair like the ones used to cut gauze and what not at the Dr's office).  I highly suggest first cutting the tape and then the wrap.

The result will be a mangled looking sheet of duct tape.

Match up the pieces and tape them back together.  Then you will stuff the empty shell with newspaper and plastic bags and tape up the leg, arm and neck holes.

The result is a homemade mannequin that won't complain.  Mark your child's size on it with a Sharpie and get sewing!

Imagine how neat it would be to keep these body forms for years.  Making new ones as our children grow.  If you have the storage space it would make an awesome and unique growth chart!

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