Mannequin Cage Skirt Assembly

Sized to fit  "dressmaker's 3d mannequin" design, 

this cage skirt can also stand alone as the "dome" 

over a miniature nosegay, as part of a vintage-style ensemble, 

or even super special place card holder at a bridal tea 

or fashion show luncheon. 

Measures approx. 8" tall x 4" wide x 3.5" deep. 

Thirty-two (or 30) decorative studs help hide
construction markings.
Decorative pleated peplum adorns back as "bustle" 

with ribbon lacing accent bracket for center back. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A right side main cage
B left side main cage with tabs
C & D upper (waist) cage ring
E & F mid cage ring
G peplum "bustle" shape
H lacing placket

2. Prepare the main cage shapes by

bending back slightly at upper "stave" perf marks

as shown.

Also bend slightly at perf marks at or near

middle intersections.

3. Prepare the ring shapes by bending back
slightly at perf marks.

4. Identify the cut shapes and locate the center front
ends of all that are marked with tiny 'F' symbols.
These corresponding ends will be overlapped
and joined at the center front.

5. Prepare the rings by overlapping the straight
end of the right section over the tab to perf cut
of the left section.
Apply a small dab of glue as a temporary
joint, in case these need to be unattached
and adjusted when the final assembly is made.
(Additional adhesive may be added later
if necessary, for a more complete joint.)

6. Overlap and join the main stave sections

at the incorporated rings structures and tabs

in similar manner, with a permanent secure

joint at the center front . . .

. . . which can be identified with the F

symbol cut into the top front stave end.

7. Form the main sections into a tube
to overlap and join the "rings" at center back.

8. Position the mid ring unit center front

at the main section center front,

overlapping and using tiny hole punches

as alignment markings.

Use a temporary dab of glue to allow for

future adjustments as may be needed.

9. Repeat for the top waist ring.

10. Wrap the ring ends toward the back

to overlap, position with punch guide markings

aligned, and temp glue in place at center back stave.

11. Repeat for the center back seam of
the top waist ring and stave, noting that
an angle in the top end of the center back stave
will help guide the required attachment slight angle of
each upper ring end.

12. With vertical staves inside the rings,

position, adjust, then align guide circles

to attach each stave to top ring, then mid ring.

RECOMMENDED: attach top sides, then

side front and side back staves first. Move on to

mid sides, then front & back.

Make adjustments in previously-glued

staves as needed.

NOTE: when using the cage skirt as part of

the mannequin project, some of these joints

at center back should remain unattached

until after the cage is placed over the

body form. See Step 20 for further instructions.

13. Attach a decorative stud or jewel at each
intersection to cover the guide circle cut outs.
(Two at center back top and mid intersections
can be omitted if the bustle accent is being used.)

14. Prepare the peplum bustle by bending

in alternate forward/backward accordion style

as shown. Also bend top tabs back slightly.

15. Bend the pleats at the top of the skirt

and attach in place by applying neat dabs of

adhesive under the folds ONLY near top of pleat.

Reverse the assembly to repeat the application

of glue dabs under the pleat folds on the backside.

16. Fold the top tabs back to overlap 

the pleat folds on the backside

and glue in place to help secure the assembly.

17. Position bustle at top center back

and secure in place using appropriately

strong adhesive at top edge.

18. Prepare the lacing accent shape by

threading a 24" or so length of soft ribbon

through the lacing holes in a configuration

of your choice, then tying with a bow

and leaving fairly long streamers.

19. Position and attach lacing accent
at center of peplum with top edges aligned.

Here is the completed cage skirt.

20. If cage skirt if part of the mannequin

project, leave the top center back joints 

of upper rings, and top of main assembly

unattached . Slide the cage over

the top of the mannequin form . . .

. . . slide down into position with top ring
at waist seam.
Overlap ring ends and attach to staves.
NOTE if may be helpful to use a flat rigid tool
such as this spatula to provide a "press-against"
surface to apply pressure at these final joints.

Position and attach bustle and lacing placket.