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The Girl in the Duct Tape Dress

September 28, 2011

The Girl in the Duct Tape Dress

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Many afternoons, when she's not going to ballet practice, or play rehearsal, or hanging out with friends, Aidan can be found doing the other thing that's fairly high on her list of priorities: homework.

But sometimes, when homework gets stressful and she needs to refresh her creative spirit, she makes dress forms out of duct tape.

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This is what I saw the other day after I returned from a run. Confused, because the play she's currently in has nothing to do with the Wizard of Oz or the Tin Man, she quickly explained the purpose behind the duct tape wrap.

The goal? To make a customized Aidan-sized dress form onto which she could plan and sew future Project Runway-worthy creations.

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She got the idea from a book called "The Subversive Seamster." But as I walked in the door, she informed me she'd run out of tape and would I please pop out and grab her some more? I, drenched in sweat from my run, balked, but Dan stepped up, headed out and saved the day.

Before I cut the duct tape form off of her, we couldn't resist grabbing one of Cole's duct tape covered weapons to post for a slightly Barberella-esque shot.

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Then of course I tried to make it somehow about me.

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Then we made it about Aidan again.

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Stay tuned for many fabulous fashions soon to be arriving from the House of Zielske.

Aidan Zielske, that is.

Fashionista

 

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Comments

  1. Paulette says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:09 am

    hilarious Cathy!!! I love kids… Thanks for a great start to my day:o)

    Reply
  2. Pedroza says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:18 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  3. Lou says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:29 am

    Hey – but it IS about you – it’s all about you!! You’re the MOTHER of that wonderful girl!! (Ok, maybe it isn’t actually all about you.) But luv ya both! Thanks for a fun post.

    Reply
  4. Verabear says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:31 am

    She is so cute! Does that really make a dress mold? haha πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. AmyMpls says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:47 am

    What a cool kid!

    Hey- love the table in the kitchen, care to share where you found it?

    Reply
  6. Amy Z says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:13 am

    she is one amazing kid

    Reply
  7. katie squires says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:25 am

    oh man she is TALENTED…and you are a crazy cool crack me up MOM! The photo shoot that pursued made me giggle πŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:28 am

    Wow! Aidan is so cool! What an awesome thing to do. I am so glad that she sees things that she wants to do and just goes for it. I can’t wait to see all the things that she makes. What talent! The Zielske clan is just dripping with it!

    Reply
  9. hannahk says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Love it ~ Lara Croft eat your heart out

    Reply
  10. Leora says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:52 am

    Wow! The creativity in your house continues to AMAZE! Go Aidan!

    Reply
  11. Marge says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:00 am

    I had NO idea…..is there anything you CAN NOT do with a bit(lots of bits!) of Duct tape? And I have to just add…. only a 15 year old would/could pull off wrapping themselves in tape like that!!! She’s got some serious style, that Miss Aidan!!

    Reply
  12. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:22 am

    It really does. Weird, huh?

    Reply
  13. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:22 am

    Youre right. Its ALWAYS about the Moms, isnt it? ; )

    Reply
  14. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:22 am

    Yes! The Room and Board outlet store back in 2003. You ever check that place out? Some great finds there!

    Reply
  15. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:23 am

    She totally has that gamer girl look, huh?

    Reply
  16. Christine Guest says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:03 am

    If she’s into sewing/designing, Threads magazine from Taunton Press would be a great gift for her. But maybe I think that because my Dad bought me all the back issues as a graduation present back in the ’80s.

    Reply
  17. Jenny S says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:25 am

    That’s awesome! We did this in one of my costume design classes in college. Cool that she learned this trick so early on!

    Reply
  18. Joanne says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:34 am

    You and Mr. Z created some seriously good looking and talented offspring!!! Go Aidan and Cole!

    Reply
  19. Jill says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:56 am

    How did you ever grow such creative kids? Was I too busy ready Dr. Spock (oh boy does that age me) that I missed out on creativity????

    Reply
  20. {vicki} says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Watch out Lady Gaga–here comes Aidan Zielske!!!!!!!

    Reply
  21. Laney says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Aidan looks gorgeous in those pics!

    Reply
  22. MarionW says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:50 am

    So much creativity under one roof – scary!

    Reply
  23. Kristen says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:57 am

    You are so funny. πŸ™‚ I’ve been meaning to make a dress form the same way for years now! That’s so cool that it actually worked, and Aidan’s looks great….I’m inspired to actually do it myself now. Tell her thanks for me!

    Reply
  24. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Oh, good tip. She is totally into it right now. : )

    Reply
  25. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:59 am

    We like to think so. ; )

    Reply
  26. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:59 am

    ha! believe me, I spent many an hour reading How to Raise Your Spirited Child.

    Reply
  27. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Aw, she will be flattered. Thank you!

    Reply
  28. Martha S. says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:00 am

    LIKE! Your daughter is so adorable. And you’re funny as usual. πŸ™‚ Have a fabulous day!!!

    Reply
  29. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Will do! What was funny is that she had that thing on FOREVER, and then had to wait for Dan to get back with more tape, and she had to use the bathroom, but it was a no-can-do. Too funny!

    Reply
  30. jennifer Camplin says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:09 am

    😎

    Reply
  31. tara says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:43 am

    I love her.

    Reply
  32. tara says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:43 am

    oh I also love you.

    Reply
  33. madeline St onge says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:52 am

    What a great idea, she is adorable Cathy

    Reply
  34. Aliza says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Great photos and story! I love it when kids have such vision and dedication.

    I also have fixated on a very small detail of your story–that Cole has a duct tape covered gun. It’s totally the type of thing my younger son would do.

    Reply
  35. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    awww. you need to come and have some face time with my family… a little getaway. we can talk about our feelings. and dwell in reality.

    Reply
  36. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Love you bestie.

    Reply
  37. Debbie S. says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    ha! love it

    Reply
  38. Kim says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    Love the cheetah print fabric! Would you be willing to share where you found it? I have a 14 yr old who would love that material. Thank you.

    Reply
  39. cathy says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    Im fairly certain she got that at Joanns!
    : )

    Reply
  40. krystav says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Way to go Aidan! That girl’s got some serious spunk πŸ˜€

    Reply
  41. Amy says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Wonder where she gets that amazing sense of creativity…from Mama? Hmmmmm….

    That apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Incredible young woman, that Aidan…

    Reply
  42. Kelli says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    So freakin’ crafty!

    Reply
  43. artbeth says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Aidan will really enjoy her duct tape double. I know I use mine a lot for sewing. What did she use for the stand/pole? My dad put PVC pipe in mine and set it into the rolling base of an office chair. I did not try making my DTD by myself though; I went over to my mom’s and she patiently wrapped me up.

    Reply
  44. heidig says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Cool idea and cool kids, Cathy.

    Reply
  45. Julie says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Can we make it about that new couch?! πŸ˜‰ Where is that gorgeous thing from?

    Reply
  46. Jamie Danford says

    September 28, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Savannah is hometown to the second biggest St. Patricks Day parade/celebration in the country… that being said, I happened to be in a local craft store when I overheard two girls discussing their duct tape/saran wrap dresses for the parade. Seriously? I thought.
    However… out of all the peeps at the parade, I ended up running into the duct tape divas and they looked SO freakin’ sexy!!
    Who knew?!!!???!

    Reply
  47. Lee says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:11 am

    Love, love, LOVE it!
    The duct tape dress form and your daughter are both brilliant!
    Thank you!
    ;o)
    – Lee
    P.S. I consider duct tape a go-to solution for so many things!

    Reply
  48. cathy says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:05 am

    I think shes using an old music stand!

    Reply
  49. cathy says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Thats actually from Macys, and they discontinued it. We got it right as it was going off the floor!

    Reply
  50. Julie says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:12 am

    What a score- it’s wonderful! As are you and your kids. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  51. Candace Bunch says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:41 am

    OMG! came to mind…but did you know that she could enter it into the Duck Tape dress contest? I kid you not!!!! Just add a few embellishments from patterned duck tape and she would be good to go!

    Reply
  52. stacyj says

    September 29, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    hilarious.

    Reply
  53. leslie says

    September 29, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    What a fun girl!! Loved this post!

    Reply
  54. Robin W. says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Aidan should check out the duct tape web site. They have a fun scholarship opportunity with prom attire. My son did this and even though he didn’t win; that year the winning couple did an incredible job of making it look like plaid! He and his date did get a nice box of goodies for entering, and they had fun!!

    Reply
  55. Brooke says

    September 29, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Duct taping your own back and arms is quite the skill! Love the V neck Aidan. And Cathy your couch set up is gorgeous too. I guess with older kids your cushions stay somewhat where you put them!

    Reply
  56. Anna says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    suprisingly inspirational! I didn’t know that worked! Very cute!
    A
    Tell her thanks!

    Reply
  57. dawn says

    September 30, 2011 at 5:22 am

    WOW is she the greatest and cutest ever!! How the heck did she do this on her own, it looks great!! Way to go Aidan on being so crafty and talented much like your sweet mom!!

    Reply
  58. Lisa says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Both the ladies in your house are gorgeous! and keeping the men in your house safe of course. Signe will go nuts for the duct tape mannequin. I see a future of 3D scrap booking her body form over the next few years.

    Reply
  59. cathy says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:18 am

    Thats my girl, for ya.

    Reply
  60. cathy says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:18 am

    what a fun idea! ill point her there!

    Reply
  61. cathy says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:19 am

    oh, thats where Mom came in. I didnt mention how involved I was in the finishing. ; )

    Reply
  62. cathy says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:19 am

    OH, she should totally do it, Lisa! : )

    Reply
  63. Kim says

    September 30, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Thanks!! We will have to check it out.

    Reply
  64. Teresa Lynn Cotterman says

    October 2, 2011 at 9:11 am

    How cool is that….we had a “Duct Tape” day recently at the school for our homecoming spirit week. The kids loved it and we saw some of the most awesome outfits….pretty sure I wasn’t that creative at their age.

    Reply
  65. gypsy chaos says

    October 5, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    THAT book is wonderful. Figured out that introvert/extrovert refer to how we recharge our batteries – just prior to a three week trip with my extrovert mother. I am totally introvert! We might have killed each other if I hadn’t read that book.

    It also helped with my middle child too. It’s hard being one of those 3% people – you know: you’re in the 3% of people who do this, think like that, etc. Luckily my son has a mom who can relate!

    Reply
  66. plumbing says

    October 8, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Duct tape is durable and holds tightly to the materials, that’s why this is also use in fashion.

    Reply
  67. kids dresses says

    October 30, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    You’re so cool! Crazy but creative idea. This is my first time to see a duct tape dress and I like it.

    Reply

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