The Mannequin Project 2005-20??

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:11:34 GMT

Studies indicate that a typical American driver does not pay 100% attention to the road. The mind is divided between the minimal amount of skill required to operate a motor vehicle and something else. Hunters may have one eye in the woods looking for the next great hunting spot. Some guys have one eye on the hot chick in the mall parking lot. My wife always seems concerned with whatever is broadcasting from the car speakers. I always have one eye on peoples' trash cans and dumpsters.

In January 2005, while commuting home from work, I noticed a pair of human legs sticking out of a garbage can near the town square of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. I immediately pulled over to investigate. As I got closer to the trash can I discovered that my prayers had been answered. The trash can contained the single greatest item that any hipster, dooface, trash-picker could possibly covet...a mannequin. I was beside myself. I loaded it into the back of my pickup, sped home, and unloaded it into my garage for closer inspection. It was in pretty good shape. It wasn't particularly new. It had a stand. It had both arms. But it was missing both hands. Oh, and it was a female.

The next few weeks were spent deciding what to do with it. The possibilities were nearly endless. Could it become:

A french maid?
A monster?
A sexy nurse?
A character from any number of movies?

But the answer became obvious. Since the age of about 7 or 8 I had developed what some may describe as an unhealthy obsession with all things Superman. It was clear that my new mannequin needed to become Supergirl.

First thing was to clean it up. Then I got all of the applicable paint colors: blue, red, yellow, and flesh tone. I sprayed the head and legs the flesh tone. It was paler than I had wanted. She looked a little like a meth-addict. But it would have to do.

Next, I masked-off the collar where the costume meets the neck and the legs where the boots would meet the legs. I sprayed the boots red and the torso and arms blue. Those colors looked great.

For the Superman "S," I began by masking-off a diamond shape in the center of her "fun bag" region. I painted this yellow. Using some red foam from the craft store and a razor knife I cut out the outline of the "S" and attached it to the chest so the yellow diamond was the background. This looked pretty good.

Yes, I do have a vinyl copy of Beauty and the Beat

I used black paint and a brush to add detail to the boots.

At this point I was done painting and needed to move on to the fabric. I went to the fabric store and bought some red fabric that matched the paint pretty well. I got enough for the skirt and cape. The problem was I have no idea how to sew. But there was one person who could. My step-mother-in-law is a home-economics teacher. She is very talented at all things crafty and is exceptional with fabric and stuff like that. She said she would help me. She came over and took some measurements and started right away using a portable sewing machine. It was far more complicated that I had imagined and would require additional time. In fact, the cape still is not done yet.

Sewing is Complicated

For the belt, I used a piece of yellow craft foam. I attached it using Velcro. I used more foam to make the yellow "S" insignia that will emblazion the cape, when finished.

While the mannequin is not completed yet, I can still enjoy her company. Once I get the cape finished, I'll take more pictures.

The Papier Boy: The Mannequin Project

The Mannequin Project 2005-20??