Crafts Using Formal Dresses?

if they're soft satin, you could cut them up and make small throw pillows, possibly to donate to nursing homes or maternity units. if they're more elablorate fabric, how about making halloween or play constumes for your kids school. cut into strips for a crazy quilt. some may have enough fabric to make cafe curtains or a window topper. let your daughter or grand-daughter (if you have one) practice sewing machine techniques on them.

You can make beautiful handbags out of them for one thing.You can even dress up lamp shades.You can use to cover books that would be seen.You can make barbie clothes with them.You can take them apart and combine with others and do the same things as above.Great for trims to add to anything from what you wear to what is around the house.

Just think of them as fabric. Cut apart and use the pieces in whatever craft you are doing. Some of the very "flouncey" type dresses can have yards of material in them, especially if they are floor length.

Enjoy!

Denise
The system does almost 100% of the work for you!
www.autobuilder.com/kyss

Barbara

January 3, 20070 found this helpful

Hi..I bought a red velvet dress for a dollar and made 12 fancy Barbie dresses out of it and still had material left over..I also made Barbie hand bags out of it...I look for those fancy dresses that you can get cheap...use your imagination and have fun....

I was once going to make Christmas tree skirt out of them.

Before destroying any quality ones that fit, plan a grand fantasy (or two) "FORMAL PROGRESSIVE DINNER" with two of your friends participating in the preparations with you, "in honor of the glorious days

Think of a half-dozen female guest friends who could invite SUIT/TIE dates, and begin brain-storming for what might be fun to do BEFORE, DURING, AFTER that dinner... which YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS CAN PUT TOGETHER. Such as :

Plan a "RITZY-GLITZY" theme(for the Valentine time?), with a contest for who can wear the most, tasteful, and shiny "constume
jewelry" on neck, ears, hair, each arm/finger (not toes or ankles), complete with PROPER makeup for the costume. "Who will be given the 'OZ AWARD'
(cover an old patent leather ,seldom/never worn spiked heel shoe, in red glitter!!) for the flashiest shoes and still be able to walk safely? Suggest feather boas, fur capes/coats/collars, fans, beaded bags, and for men, gold-colored pocket watches and any "medals", chest ribbons or "epilets" they might make/find/have, etc."

After doing your DINNER/homework on the Internet and in the local Library for coffee table large books of Formal TIMES, even in European mansions galas, a month in advance (because that's not all you'll look for):

Home # 1: Have one of the two friends announce on a handprinted poster/easel that the first MENU is: prepared Hor d'erves (sp?)/appetizers (describe on the poster in detail, such as making something up that sounds superficial and exotic, like "Beliezian Canapes on Macadamia toast." (lol) "Drink Menu is: Faux Champagne in Moulage Frost.", Serve on a LARGE SHINY PLATTER and garnishes of parsley,radish slices, scattered shrimp, with tiny plastic stemmed before-dinner fizzy drinks(non-alcoholic, I hope), complete with candlelights on a white table clothed table or buffet? Have ultra CLASSICAL prerecorded music or have anyone you know who plays the Violin playing in the background.

After about 30 minutes when all guests have munched/been served lightly, remind them, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's now time to PROGRESS to the
next home of ______ and we can go in our separate
cars or double up, your choice. (Call the next hostess and let her know you are all on your way, have duplicate/similar taped music playing as guests arrive...any guest want to slow-dance?)

Home #2 Different Menu on easel, describing the
Main Course entree choices or whatever is being offered,Example: "For your MAIN COURSE pleasure, (Madamoiselle _____ offers Lobster Bisque or Artichoke salad, steamed vegetables, Marinated Beef tip Fillets Drink Menu: Your choice of exotic teas, Vegetable juice, Cider "wine" or fruited Iced Tea."

At the obvious end of the meal, get your guests' attention and announce, "Ladies and Gentlemen,
we shall pause in our Progression, to play a game of

Home #3, Where the live music might be, have a white linen draped DESSERT CART ? of homemade "specialties", each with it's own description card, along with regular coffee/tea cups for gents, and demitasse(if available to borrow)for ladies, on their respective saucers. Have any serving pieces for the 2-3 choices of drinks on a cloth covered table nearby the carefully placed napkins. Each hostess is responsible for their own homemade centerpieces, napkin-rings, napkins, music, award trophy, game, expenses, posters/Menucards/placecards, easels, etc. (Menu poster can be placed inside a large picture frame without glass, at waist/chest level
leaning on a wall or flower pot. ) Calligraphy printing
is fun, should anyone know how to do it or have a
Kit for instructions. Otherwise, check the internet and take a little time to make nice two inch high script lettering on the Menu Posters, etc.

This is only an alternative to a dozen Barbie dresses/bags, which one might consider and enjoy. God bless you. : )

kathy

January 6, 20070 found this helpful

how about making gift sacks or bags. Too much waste with paper and they can be used year after year and also a part of the gift.

Pamela O'Brien

January 6, 20070 found this helpful

If they are really pretty you can hang them on your bedroom wall (or anywhere you'd like). This way they are "decorations" until you decide what you want to make out of them.

On the same idea, I'm taking my old wedding grown, and making baby christening outfits. I have 2 sons. So I will make 2 unisex out fits for my future granbabies. Then it can always be passed down to the next child. Something Special from Their Grand mom.
This idea can be used for anything special with the other gowns..

jeannie

December 2, 20080 found this helpful

I bought a little girls dress pattern and made 5 "fancy play dresses" for our granddaughter's birthday. I spent a little for trim, velcro, etc. Then I bought a plastic high heels and junk jewelry. It all went into a plastic tub and she was delighted. She often took it with to the babysitter and it was a popular passtime with the little girls. The babysitter called me to ask if I would sew some for her. I said "Sure, just bring me some dresses" but she never did. When #1 granddaughter outgrew them, they were packed away for #2 granddaughter who came 7 years later.