A Vintage Dress Form for the Sewing Craft Room

Welcome to the 131st Metamorphosis Monday!

Happy Met Monday! Hope your weekend has been a fun one!  I don’t have a dramatic Before and After for this Met Monday, but I do have some fun little changes I can’t wait to share.  But before I show you what I’ve been working on…

A Few Mini-Mets for this Metamorphosis Monday:

A Naked Porch:
Recently,  I blogged about having the house and porch, pressured washed, HERE. The company I used was awesome and their owner Wesley asked me to remove the sheers from the porch just to make sure they didn’t get dirty during the cleaning process.  I haven’t had a chance to hang them back up just yet, so I thought I’d share how it looks with them down.  I always enjoy having them down for a little while…makes the porch feel more open on these hot, muggy days.  Something tells me they will be going back up again before too long. In the meantime, change is good.

I also put away the patriotic decor you saw, HERE.  I loved the look but I was missing the serenity of the soft greens.  The red, white and blue will be back for our next patriotic holiday.

 

A Few Small Changes in My Office/Craft/Sewing Room:

You know, I think we need to invent a new word for a room that functions as an Office, a Craft Room and a Sewing Room. Maybe that’s what folks call a Studio.  If not, what should we call it? How about a Sewcroff? Or, a Croffsew?  I think I like Sewcroff better. 😉

Okay, I just looked up the definition of a studio and that won’t work because a studio is “a room where an artist, photographer, sculptor, etc… works.”   If you stretched that a bit, you might be able to squeeze crafting and sewing room into that definition…but a home office?  Ummm, just doesn’t fit.

So, where was I?  Oh, yes…I made a couple of wee changes in the Sewcroff this week.

I finally quit procrastinating and caulked the crown molding I had installed two months ago.   About time, right?   I also caulked the crown molding in the guest room while I was at it. Now I just have to actually quit procrastinating and go buy some white paint and paint it all.  Don’t you love our awful “flowery” ceilings here in the south?  Ugh.  Thankfully they have stopped this nonsense and have been building homes with smooth ceilings now for quite a few years.  One of these ambitious days, I’m going to start scraping and sanding them.  What a mess that will be!  Some folks just install sheet rock right over them, but you have to take the crown molding down and redo it all when you do that.

While I was climbing all over and around the furniture in the guest room, caulking the crown molding (this pic was taken before the crown molding was installed) I decided to move an item from the guest room to the new Sewcroff. Can you guess which item I moved?

Blue and White Guest Room

 

Now, can you guess?   Every Sewcroff needs a dress form, don’t cha think?  I would really like to do something fun with her.  Nothing too crazy or wild since this space has turned into a fairly peaceful, serene room, despite my best efforts to go wild in here. lol Kidding!

I like how she looks standing over there in the corner near the sewing machine. She’s trying to put the “sewing” in Sewcroff! 😉  Hey, I did sew two pillow covers for my 4th of July porch, HERE.  That counts, right?

She also coordinates well with Mr. Bee on the pillow…a happy accident.  She needs a name, doesn’t she? What should I call her? All I know about her is:  She is “Collapsible” although she doesn’t really look collapsible. She is a Model 1975 and a size 8. I tell you, a size 8 was a lot teenier back then, because she looks more like a size 2 or 4. Oh, and she says, “Wolf Model Form Co. N.Y. on her neck.

Vintage Dress Form in Craft Sewing Room

 

So, she’s a New Yorker!  Living in the south!  I’ve had her so many years now, I think she’s an honorary Southern Belle at this point. 😉  (You can read about how I found her, HERE.)

And just in case you’re wondering, yep, I can still squeeze by to get into the closet…which is pretty empty except for a few boxes and some left over fabric. Which reminds me, I still need to paint in there, too.

I’ve always been terrible at coming up with good names, so y’all have to help me think of a name for my Size 8 friend from New York who has been living in the south for so long, she’s beginning to talk with a southern drawl and says things like “fixin” and “y’all” on occasion.  😉   Next time you see her, she may look a little different…I’m just saying. 🙂  Don’t worry, I’m not going to stick her in a giant hooped skirt or anything. lol  But she does need a little “sumpin, sumpin,” doesn’t she?

Pssst:  If you’re a new reader of BNOTP, you can view the transformation of this room from a bedroom to a home office/craft/sewing room,  HERE.

So what have you been metamorphosising this week? Can’t wait to see!

Metamorphosis Monday:
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Comments

  1. Linda (Nina's Nest) says

    Susan, your Sewcraft room is fabulous – love it – the dress form is just perfect in there! I'm afraid I wouldn't leave that room very often! Linda

  2. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    Your dress form is just like mine! Mine's a Wolf, but I bought it while I was in Fashion Design school in Los Angeles. I never noticed what year it is or what city is on it! LOL! Mine is a size 8, which was the standard sample size way back when. When I made clothes on it, they were too big for me because I was a 2/4 at the time! Oh what I'd give to be even a size 8 again!
    Thanks for hosting.

  3. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    I love your craft room/office, Susan! The dress form is the perfect addition! Is Max still taking up residence there? Happy week!…hugs…Debbie

  4. Thelittlebrownhouse.us says

    Thanks for hosting! Love your "New York" lady – but I am a size eight and she looks waaaaaaaaaaay smaller than me!!

  5. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    Thank you so so much for hosting, Susan! I hope you have a wonderful week!!!

  6. laxsupermom says

    Love the way the dress form looks in your new Croffsew. How about DeeDee. Her Long Island parents named her Deirdre S. Form, she went by Dee, but her southern friends girled it up for her.

    I like the open look of the porch, but do miss the romanticism of the drapes. Thanks for sharing.

  7. Susan…Sew, sew charming ;). I'm not so good naming things, but she does a little somthin.
    Good luck in the battle of the squirrels!
    Hugs, Lisa

  8. Natasha in Oz says

    Love this! Pottery Barn is finally being delivered here in Australia so I am always at their site looking for ideas and inspiration.

    Thanks for having me today. Hope you have a lovely week.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

  9. Heaven's Walk says

    (sigh!) What a beautiful home you have, Susan! Big and beautiful! I'm amazed at how much space you have and how large the rooms are! Love your Southern Belle in that corner. Those forms add so much character and charm to a room! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

  10. Scribbler says

    I call mine Matilda, but since yours has become a Southern Belle, call her Miss Scarlett. I wish I had room for the bulletin board, but I am out of room!

  11. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    Thanks for hosting Susan!

    How about a play on the word mannequin – Mandy Kin or a nice old fashioned name to go with her history like Abigail?

  12. BEACH BUNGALOW says

    What a lovely room, Susan; I'd never leave!

    Sue
    xo

  13. A Hint of Home says

    Your room is wonderful, efficent, cozy, warm and a fun place to do multiple tasks! You've done a great job pulling it all together.
    Love the dress form. What do you think of Belle? A play on the southern part and Belle, the Disney Princess looks about that size.

  14. Hi Susan,
    Thanks for hosting! Love all your photos! =) XO ~Liz

  15. Okio B Designs says

    I just love your porch! And that dress form is divine!

    Jeanine

  16. Glenda/MidSouth says

    Hummmm! Will think about a name.
    Said it before – love that room.
    Thanks for hosting again this week – you are appreciated.
    Have a great week.

  17. On Crooked Creek says

    Susan,
    I adore your sewing/craft room! Glad that Max is still sunning himself on the desk top!!! He's totally adorable! Hm~m~…I'd say Virginia…Ginny for a nickname! I, too, have a dress form. Elizabeth…Lizzie is her nickname! Keep those beautiful rooms in your home coming our way. Oh, how you do inspire one, dear friend!
    Fondly,
    Pat

  18. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    I'm bad at naming things too, but I'm sure your readers will help you! Looking great. I've never seen ceilings like that before. thanks for hosting this party.

  19. Kelly (Seaux Southern) says

    Wish I lived closer, I could really use that bulletin board. Guess I'll have to go shopping online for one. Love your craft room! And a name for your honorary southern belle…Scarlet (as in Scarlet O'Hara) one of the most famous southern belles of them all!
    Kelly~~~

  20. FABBY'S LIVING says

    I get so envious everytime I see this room you did so beautifully, because I don't start doing the same with my girls big room! I love your Newyorker girl, (like me) dress form, it looks wonderful there! You're such an inspiration, dear Susan! Have a terrific week. Love,
    FABBY

  21. Jennifer says

    Have I told you how in love with your office I am? So Pottery Barnish with your own unique touches! LOVE "her." I think I might need to get one for my new craft room! Thanks for hosting another party!
    Jen

  22. Hi Susan! Everything looks good and your new addition is perfect! Maybe you could call her "Evette"! 🙂
    Now you're not going to do anything to mess up that wonderful room are you? 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  23. She looks like a "Babs" to me.

    The room looks wonderful! You did a great job!

  24. Sewconsult says

    Call her 'Beatrice'! Since shhe goes well with Mr. Bee pillow.
    Beckie

  25. Mellodee says

    To accentuate the serene feeling of the room, I think I would cll it your Retreat!

    As for your dress form, she might have been named just about anything as a New Yorker, but as a Southerner, she has to be Magnolia!!

  26. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot says

    Hi Susan,

    It's been wonderful watching your sewcroff progress. I would love to have a dedicated space like yours. Also, I worked for Butterick and Vogue patterns for many years. The reason your size 8 dress form looks more like a size 2-4 is because pattern sizing and ready-to-wear follow two different sizing standards. So if you wear a 4 in ready-to-wear you will be at least a size 8 in patterns. As always, thanks for hosting.

  27. Beautiful Blessings says

    Hi Susan! I have been reading your blog for some time now and just adore the whimsical space of your office. I love scribblers idea of calling her Scarlett but am also partial to Caroline (I have a 2.5 year old of that name) which I think has a sweet southern sound to it.

  28. Name her Honey, to go with the bee! As for dressing her, I think either a nice apron or maybe a mix of costume necklaces.

  29. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    The sewcroff is really looking great! Here in Phoenix we not only have textured ceilings but textured walls. Double yuck!

    Thank you for hosting.

  30. I name EVERYTHING 🙂 and she's a Bertha—definitely Bertha! 🙂

  31. mississippi artist says

    Your room just keeps getting better. Love the dress form, maybe you should dress her for the seasons,like people do the concrete ducks on their porches.LOL!!

  32. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    lol That might be fun! I guess she needs something summery for now…maybe beachy even. 😉

  33. Debbie B says

    Have enjoyed looking at your room transformation. We are still smack-dab in the middle of swapping my sewing room with our little used living room. The living room held our piano and music and not much else. It's almost double the size of my former sewing room. I can't wait to get things moved in and start sewing again!

  34. Laura Wilkerson says

    When I need to tune everything out and go to a "happy" place I go to your sewcroff for sure! lol! I think you should definitely look into covering your southern belle friend in some creamy colored velvet and a strand of pearls of course! Have a great week!

  35. Ai Sakura says

    thanks for hosting! your craft room/office is AMAZING!

  36. Jann Olson says

    Oh how I love your sewcroff room! It looks so uncluttered. Mine is much smaller, and I have it filled to the brim. I am envious of your southern belle. I have been looking for one to buy. Found one that I love at a local antique shop. Trouble is the owner is not ready to part with it yet. She looks so dainty. I am suggesting dainty dolly for her name.

  37. My first thought was to name her "Yankee Girl", but "Honey" is cute, too. Love your blog! So inspirational.

  38. Elizabeth and Gary says

    Hi Susan,
    You have been one busy girl! I have been thinking of using my sitting area in my Master Bedroom as my "Sewcroff" area. I don't really use my sitting area much and could use the extra room. I love "Sewcroff"
    I have linked up with you today. Thank you for being such a gracious hostess.
    Have a sweet day and big hugs, Elizabeth

  39. Farmer's Wyfe says

    LOVE your porch…and Sewcroff room. 🙂 I loved the suggestion of Scarlett for the name, and Beatrice next to the bee was pretty fun, too. But I'm partial to Violet, my daughter's name: sweet, older name, but very pretty. 🙂
    Thanks for the great party every week! 🙂

  40. mary kathryn @ mathews family happenings says

    thanks so much for hosting this party! AND… your room is completely awesome and makes me a bit green with envy. Just sayin'. This week I've linked up some dresses I made for my girls out of a cute bedsheet I found on clearance at Target- #145. Hope you're having a great day!

  41. Well, I actually like the flowery ceilings! Call me crazy…

  42. Magali @ The Little White House says

    Thanks for hosting. There are some wonderful links this week… and your office looks perfect: it nearly makes me feel like working… nearly!

  43. Erin @ How to Nest for Less says

    I am in LOVE with your craft room. Definitely inspiring!! Thanks for hosting 🙂

  44. Miss Char says

    What a beautiful office Susan, its been fun watching it all come together. I think your dress form looks like a Stella Mae. Have a good week and thanks for sharing.

  45. I vote for Audrey in memory of Hepburn, or Bess from Little Women!

  46. Lizabeth says

    LOL, I upgraded to "stomped" ceilings from the "popcorn" ceilings that I had. Compared to the popcorn ceilings I'm plenty happy with mine! You can probably have the ceilings gently scraped and skim coated with a later of drywall compound. I can't imagine doing a whole house…huge job! I tried to be creative with a name for your form, but everything sounded corny. I do like the idea of Ms. Scarlett…seems classic!

  47. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ says

    Hi Susan, What I would give to have an extra room that I could use as an office/craft room. Yours is lovely.
    Please tell me more about blog readers? I have herd this mentioned before but am clueless??

    Thanks My Dear,
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

  48. As I was reading and looking at this post,I noticed the copy of our blogn' buddy Micheal Lee West's "Gone With a Hansomer Man", wasn't that a fun read!..Can't wait for her next book and the adventures with "Teeny Templeton",..HEY!…there's a name to think about.."Teeny",after all she is a size 8,teehee!(you can dress her in loud bright colors,with a frilly lace apron!)
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

  49. Kelee Katillac says

    Hi Susan!

    Thank-you as always for this wonderful event!

    I really appreciate you being a Miracle Makeover Host blogger for the 15th! You all breathed life into the makeover! A celebration for all…..

    love, kelee

  50. Thanks for hosting!

  51. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    You host the nicest parties – thanks for inviting us 🙂

  52. Why not call it your atelier. Just a fancy French word for a workroom or an artist's or designer's studio or workroom. You would definitely qualify and it sounds so tres chic.

  53. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Ellicia, love that idea! Definitely sound trés chic! 🙂

  54. Violets Are Blue says

    Love that you moved the dress form into the Sewcroff… for a name, well, I call my imaginary dress form Judy. I even have a Pinterest board called Whats on Your Judy, where I dress her in some pretty frocks. I have been looking for a "Judy" for years, would love to have one to dress just for fun. Thanks for another great post. Patty/BC

  55. Crystal @ Ordinary Days says

    This room really does look beautiful. I just LOVE all the colors and design. One of my all time favorites!! 🙂

  56. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says

    A name for your New York Dress Form, replanted to the South???? Come on, name her "GLORIA" — I am from NY and transplanted to CT!!!!!!!! Plus, I'm from Brooklyn, so don't you want a dress form with an 'attitude??' LOL!
    Well, it's up to you, of course, but I vote for Gloria. 🙂
    And, to butter you up, may I say that your office looks wonderful the way you have furnished it? 😉
    Best,
    Gloria

  57. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    You have a beautiful home. Love your studio. Thanks for hosting.

  58. Hi susan!

    I sure wish i lived closer to you.. since seeing your bulletin board, i have been trying to find one like it, but have had no luck what so ever!! 🙁 But I understand the shipping thing.. if you ever come across another one online somewhere, please let me know!!

  59. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Darcy, I think they discontinued it. I wish it wasn't so expensive to ship. I think it weighs 28 lbs, guess that's why it costs a good bit to ship. It was around $135, as I recall, to ship to CA.

  60. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    I've been coveting that Bee pillow from Ballard's forever! It looks really nice on the chair in your craft room. Thanks once again for hosting the party!

  61. I'd go with Beatrice (call her Bea for short) or Eleanor or Hattie.

    I love how organized your room is – I became a teleworker in December, and my sewcroff is still a jumbled mess. I really need to get the futon out of here and put in some tall shelves. It's wall-to-wall furniture, but everything is desk height….

  62. Kirsten @ Mushki Loves says

    Thank you for hosting a linky party! I enjoy your posts so much!

    Have a great day!

    Kirsten

  63. Anonymous says

    Love your atelier !

    How about "Betsy"…after the famous seamstress Betsy Ross. It's kind of an old fashioned name to match her age. Although she was from Philadelphia, now as a Southern girl, I do believe she should have a wide brimmed straw hat (with a black ribbon or flower) to protect her delicate skin from the Southern sun.

    I know you have a few things to finish up in this room makeover, but I am anxiously waiting to see what you will be up to next…maybe your beautiful library?

  64. I wish I live in the Metro Atlanta area! I would LOVE that bulletin board!

  65. martinealison says

    le tic tac de la vie…
    gros bisous

  66. Hi, Susan!

    Did you see what "The 36th Avenue" did with her dress form in a post from last week?

    Have fun!
    Cynthia

  67. Hi! Did you see what "The 36th Avenue" did with her dress form in a few posts last week?

    Have fun!
    Cynthia

  68. Hi! As you could see by mistake I have the BNOP url to my first link hold hands for our common future. I am unable to delete that entry. Could you please do that. Thanks.

  69. netminnow says

    I would like to see a simple black velvet ribbon tied about "her" throat with a cameo centered or self tied in an off-set bow. It would be like Lulamae Barnes to Holly Go-lightly to Holly-Mae Varjak in a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" epilogue.

  70. Rikka J. @ Ricochet and Away! says

    Susan!
    Thanks so much hosting this party! I am a newbie and just starting to use these linky parties, but yours has generated the most traffic for me. I'm so impressed!
    As for your dressform, if it were mine, I'd give her a scarf and showcase some nice vintage fabric, or maybe a shall.
    happy crafting and hugs from Montana!
    Rikka J.

    [email protected]

  71. Lady Katherine says

    Love the office and sewing room! I know your enjoying it!

  72. The name that you are looking for Susan is The Mom Cave. Mine contains my office, my dish storage and my work out equipment. The perfect name for my domain. The grown kids and hubby even call it that now.

  73. Anonymous says

    What if you decorated the dress form with some vintage jewelry or something with a feather? Your room looks great 🙂

  74. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Anonymous…that sounds cute! Like that idea!

  75. I love love love that little bee pillow. What’s the story on it?

  76. Where did you buy your desk in your Sewcrofft? This is exactly what I’m looking for for my new home!!! Please share!

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