Well today I almost did not go to the flea market and then around 11 I thought well I need grapefruit and bananas so will just take a quick run.
Off I go and of course I can't just buy fruit without going out to the field and walking around. They had a re-enactment going on this weekend in another part of Renningers - it is a huge property. The vendors that were there were different then the usual because they came because of that. Lots of fur pieces, rifles, old hats, etc. It is nice looking at the gals in the old hoop skirt dresses. One gal bought a beautiful fur muff for 10.00 while I was looking at things.
Well for a long time I have been wanting an old dress form just to play with. To put fancy laces on, etc. I saw this one and walked over and looked at it. It was made all in pieces that were adjustable and this had a label Acme Adjustable Dress Form, Brookly, NY size B. It is all worked by nuts and bolts inside and looked pretty old but in very good condition.
She had 35.00 on it and I told her I would think about it and I did and on the way back I stopped and we settled on 30.00. It has an iron base and it is adjustable so the body can come right down to the floor for carrying and then up to whatever size height you want it.
I put it out in the garage and took a couple of pics and then thought it would be really nice if I could find a booklet that tells you how to adjust it. I went to Google and it brought up other Acme ones for sale and I almost fainted. There were some on etsy and some on ebay and they ranged in price from 164.00 to 299.00 and they didn't look as good as this one. The label on mine is still there and there are no tears or rips.
To think that I almost didn't buy it. I see them on people's blogs all dressed up and you have no idea what condition they are in or what kind.
I did find out from Google that they were made by a co. named L&M and were from the early 1900's to when they ended in 1950. I was lucky enough to find one at an auction site that actually gave instructions for how to adjust it and what all the things were for - neck, bust, body length, etc. I printed it out and when we have a free day (Mr. and me) I will try and adjust it down to the first size so all pieces touch.
I did get the fruit and was home in an hour. Not the nicest weekend as we had rain yesterday afternoon and dark and gloomy this afternoon. It started to rain just as I was getting into the van. This weekend is the Arts Festival in Mt. Dora where they expect a crowd of between 250 and 300,000 people. I don't go anymore as it is just too jammed for me. I feel bad for the artists who come from all over the country for this and then to get bad weather.
14 comments:
You will love your dress form and what a great price! I have two and I use them all the time. I actually used one of them to do all my artbras on - made it much easier. What a great find!
Much love,
Jules
Oh My Goodness! that's Gertie! I have an identical one in the attic I have had from the early '70s that I bought at a yard sale. That gal and I have gone the distance. She limps to the left but I love her dearly! Tell yours: Hi From Gertie! Gertie is from Oklahoma.
Great deal!! You will love having her around. Mine is in far worse shape and I adore her! She doesn't talk back and has to wear what I put on her!!! LOL Have fun! You sure do great at the flea market, I really miss not having one here.
A great deal on the dress form, and to think that I threw one out years ago! I love what you found in your last post too.
Lucky you... I often lament I gave one away when I moved to Alaska in the 60s with all our worldly possessions and 3 kids in a station wagon... Wish I were there to help you adjust it... Gerry K.
Great deal Freda.I love my Matilda and I know yours will be dressed in finery soon. It is fun to see your treasures from your outings. I enjoy it a lot.
Hugs,Pat
What a great find!! I have secretly longed for a dress form but my realistic mind knows that I have absolutely no room to put one. I'm sure you will show peeks of yours from time to time and I will just have to content myself with that!
yay! How nice when you find something you really want at such a great price. Well done Freda!
She will look splendid all draped with lace and such - you'll have to post pictures!
What a fabulous find! I have occasionally thought it would be fun to have a dress form to hang my aprons on to show, but like Magpie, I just don't have the room to keep something like that.
I have a Size A Acme dress form which looks nearly identical, although I also have the form slipcover made of the panel fabric so you don't see all the gaps. I haven't a clue how to start with the adjustments - is there any way you would be willing to email me a copy of your instructions?
Hi there.
I just bought a used Acme dress form, and I can't find any instructions on how to adjust it properly. Is there a chance you'd be willing to share a copy of your instructions?
Kim. :)
I have been scouring the internet trying to find instructions for my Acme size A. Do you still have the instructions and would you be willing to share via email?
I also just recently got a size A. Instructions are of course no where to be found. Can you share what site you found them on? Oh and i love your blog, i'll be following.😏
Well I am going to ask right along with these other ladies. I just purchased my ACME size B at a antique store yesterday and would love a copy or a link to the directions you found. Thank you. :)
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