The trend of using a dress form or mannequin to create a “holiday tree” decoration has expanded from Christmas to Mardi Gras. They are super versatile and after the holidays are over you can remove all the decoration and use the form to display clothing or jewelry. So that makes this something that you can technically use year round.
Here are three examples of Mardi Gras trees made by the design team at Mannequin Madness made to give you some ideas on how to make yours.
WIRE DRESS FORM – We attached gold beads to outline the upper bodice area which gives it a little more definition. We made this a few years ago and if we were making it again today we would probably outline even more of the bodice with beads .
A gold ribbon with Fleur-de-lis decals glued on it was used to make a belt.
And instead of using pine garland which is the default material we normally use for the skirt, this one was made with tinsel like garland (which is wired) in Mardi Gras colors.
FIBERGLASS TORSO – (you can also do this with a cloth torso)
Using a hot glue gun we attached strings of Mardi Gras Beads to completely cover the torsos. The skirt is made entirely out of deco mesh weaved around a tomato cage.
FULL SIZE MANNEQUIN – This mannequin was originally a grey color so we spray painted it gold to give it more pop.
The skirt is the made using chicken wire and the faux pine garland that we use to make Dress Form Christmas trees.
But with a generous deployment of deco mesh, peacock feathers and ornaments most of the garland is concealed. We just left some of the garland peeking out to show you can transition a dress form Christmas tree into a Mardi Gras tree.
Our design team offers zoom classes every month to show you how to make holiday trees like these. Although the decoration featured changes based on the season, structure for creating the skirt remains the same.
The classes are $30 for one hour. Enrollment in the class includes discount coupons on materials like deco mesh, feathers, ornaments and dress forms.
If you already feel confident that you can make this on your own, we sell new and used mannequins and dress forms at Mannequin Madness, something in every style and budget.
For more Mardi Gras Holiday Trees ideas check out our Pinterest board.
