Thrift Store Blessings

For the past few years, I've had some creative projects ruminating on the back burners of my mind. Things which I hoped might result in generating some extra income by nature of my making and then selling things from home, while at the same time beneficial to my personal wardrobe in that I could finally use up some of the fabric and patterns I've squirrelled away by making myself some new dress clothes.

These past 3 or 4 years, whenever my very considerate husband has asked me in advance for a list of ideas for gifts for Birthdays, Christmas or anniversaries...I've usually included a certain thing which I knew existed, but wasn't even sure what it was called, I'd just seen them at the fabric store.

I think I may have written down something along the lines of, "One of those mannequin things that you can adjust to your exact measurements and shape, drape clothes on them and then be able to achieve a custom tailored fit and perfect hems without having to try the clothes on twenty times."

Which is probably why I never got one. Jeff doesn't even like to ask for help finding the Artichoke Hearts in the grocery store...I can hardly imagine him putting himself out there like that in a fabric store full of ladies.

Well, there was that and the steep price tag.

The only ones I'd ever seen were in the $250-$350 dollar range.

This past Spring, I came very close to purchasing a full-size, wrought iron armature from Pier 1.


It was on sale for $90, which I believe was half off the normal price.

It also had decorative red chandelier pendants wired into it, and I'm nothing if not a sucker for bling. Especially old-fashioned, Victorian era looking 'bling'.

Which would have looked stunning in the corner of my bedroom, which at that time was decorated in a beautiful red-velvet and white color scheme complimented with red transfer-ware plates, matching roses and a few little black wrought iron touches.

My goal had been to add in a beautiful bargain priced Persian rug in my color scheme and keep things that way for years...until someone dashed my vision to pieces by saying things looked vintage and romantic, alright...in a rather boudoir, 1860's brothel kind of way.

I suppose the 'Old Timey' Photo collection of ourselves on the walls in there only added to their perception. Can I help it that those studios never seem to have proper ladies costumes?

Needless to say the Pier 1 version of that mannequin was adorable, and within reach price-wise, but still wasn't wasn't exactly what I'd been looking for.

I passed it up, and when I returned later that day having had second thoughts, it was gone, the decision made for me.


I've made my peace with that my bedroom decor now. It's no longer red velvet but a brand new color scheme.

Anyway, having met that dead-end in my search for a dressmakers form, I went online looking for rock-bottom prices, scouring e-bay and Craig's List. They didn't have what I was looking for either. Unless I wanted a 1950's model with uber-small waist, flat behind and rather pointed bosom.

In my search, I did happen upon some instructions for a "DIY Body Double" tutorial.

It involved stripping oneself down to just a bra and panties and then dressing in a large plastic garbage bag (sticking your head and arms out of precut holes) and then having your friends or family assist in wrapping you very snugly in 3 layers of duct tape. When done, they very carefully cut you out out of it, and then you retape it and can stuff the 'mold' until it holds it's shape well enough for sewing purposes.

While the concept was a good one and would make for a very accurate casting of ones figure, I simply could not imagine subjecting myself to such torture a process for a number of reasons:

1. I am ultra-modest. I was the girl in high school swim class who wore a t-shirt over her swimsuit while showering, then scurried off to a restroom stall to change into my clothes.

2. I am horribly claustrophobic.

I wasn't even aware of this about myself until after my very first asthma attack. That makes a person feel extra-smothery real quick, especially in tight quarters. I can't even sleep in a sleeping bag while camping anymore because I feel too bound up. As much as I loved the look of my leather dress boots with jeans a few of seasons ago, the second I'd get into them, I'd start feeling that panicky fluttery feeling and have to take them off. For me, being taped up in duct tape and plastic would be akin to a straight-jacket.

3. I just can't imagine asking the form-making assistance of a.) my friends, b.) my family, or c.) some stranger off the street.

I still die-a-thousand-deaths remembering the time when, as a goofy 10 year old, my folks had a nice couple from church over for dinner. They stayed late enough that my folks eventually told us kids to go get ready for bed. After changing into my pj's (which was one of my dad's comfy old worn t-shirts which hung to about mid-thigh on my 10 year old self) we'd just crawled into our beds when my dad called us all back downstairs for goodnight hugs...and forgetting completely what I was wearing I ran to obey...and passed right in front of the couple that had been visiting...WITHOUT ANY PAJAMA PANTS ON. **blushes** It's a side of myself that I'd rather not share with friends and family, lol.

4. The face-casting project during my college sculpting class scarred me beyond repair. Smearing ones face with petroleum jelly, inserting straws into nose and mouth and having someone else pile on globs of freshly mixed plaster whilst laying in a reclining position and needing to remain still for a half hour while the plaster set...is a surefire recipe for possible asphyxiation and/or panic attacks. Not to mention that the chemical reaction taking place in freshly mixed plaster makes it extremely hot. As in scalding on your already slicked up face.

However, the same Lord that knows our needs and desires and all of the goofy little idiosyncrasies that are unique to my situation knew that I still desired one of those silly mannequins for that plan that had been a-brewin'.

Whenever I'd finally save up enough to go get a brand new one from the fabric store, I would end up standing there behind the pattern section looking longingly up at the display, but always ended up talking myself out of it. I'd walk away empty-handed because I just couldn't justify the expense.

Looking back now, I see that was simply the Lord's leading, because today...all that changed.

I had some mad money allotted for my little monthly thrift store 'route'. While I wasn't looking specifically for the mannequin, I was passing by my favorite thrift store on my side of town. I popped inside and found a couple of goodies for my walls, then headed for it's sister store across town where I needed to go for some of my other errands.

Judah and I walked into the Salvation Army Thrift Store **cue Hallelujah Chorus** and behold...there it was!

Not the hot pink busty/petite sized mannequin...not the average girl version in blue...but the big-n-busty-girl version in gray that was juuuuust right for my purposes.



"It was my twin!"

And it was only $50!

So, in honor of the One who blessed me with this wonderful find, I will give 'her' a Biblical name.

I think I shall call her...Esther.

For she is lovely in form and features. (Esther 2:7b) **winks**



Now if only I'd quit 'startling' every time I walk in the craft room and see an unexpected humanly figure in the corner.

Then again, the only thing worse than that would be a humanly figure in a closet!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..."
~James 1:17