Baby Dress Stand

Hi friends,

For over 35 years I've collected vintage baby dresses from op shops, since I had any income of my own. I could pick up a dress or knitted set for fifty cents back then. I used to dream that babies would be left on our doorstep, and I would be the one to find and look after them., since Mum was too busy! I remember the feeling of waking in the morning and excitedly looking at the end of my bed for the bassinet - only to be disappointed on realising it was just a dream. 

Later when I had my own babies, I dressed them in these old fashioned dresses (the boys too!), along with hand-knitted or crocheted matinee sets when it was cold. I have kept the special old ones, even though some are almost falling apart. 

The material in these two dresses is so weak I can't display them properly. They have large tears and are falling apart. I decided to photograph them before they totally turn to dust! Luckily this one is worse at the back,while the front just has just a couple of small holes.

I love the tiny roses on this sheer fabric below. Sadly, you can see the large tears at the bottom. I'm not sure what the fabric is, but these dresses seem similar: perhaps organza?

I wanted a way to display pretty baby dresses to photograph them, apart from being displayed on a doll or bear. I came up with this display stand made from a heavy candle holder, dowel rod and a decorative wire dress form. First I found a dowel rod to fit into the candle holder - I had to sand it to fit, then I glued it in with 5 minute Araldite. I spray-painted it white. This is the base.

Here is the dress form, balanced tightly on a groove cut into the dowel rod. I glued on two extra pieces of thick wire at the top to hold a padded coat hanger which I can just lift out to change the dress. I took the hook off the coat hanger as it looked better. 

My vintage door makes a great background.

Here is another baby dress on the display stand.

All of my most beautiful old baby clothes are packed away in tissue paper. My aim is to photograph them all gradually, and change the one on display occasionally. It takes a while to sort through and iron them ready.

It's Autumn here in Australia now, but here is one of my vases of roses from a previous Spring. The rose is Champagner.

Simply Neutrals Tuesday is happening again at Wen's blog, AppleApricot. Come over for a look at the displays of neutral - shaded beauty there.

I'm joining Vanessa and Sabrina for Nifty Thrifty Sunday this week, too.

And Lynda for Awesome Life Friday

and  Grandma ideas at Party in your PJs

Wishing you a wonder-filled week...

Jesse