Is it possible and/or a good idea to make your own? I have a book on making patterns that goes over creating your own dress form out of pieces of “stiff cardboard”. So I’m wondering, could you sew your own and stuff it, creating a dress form almost like you would create a doll or stuffed animal? Is this a completely rediculous idea? Or has anyone else successfully done this?

Mar 7, 2010, 02.54 AM by AceyDoubleYou

Wilbur_large

12 Posts

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Mar 7, 2010, 01.30 PMby KateXXXXXX

    There are lots of instructions for doing various different types. They all take a long time and you need a friend or two. They are OK if you make them right, but as soon as you change size or shape, they are useless and you need to staert again.

    Google for Duct Tape Dummy and see what turns up. :)

  • Ekka_large

    Mar 10, 2010, 03.25 AMby BeastOfCotton

    Here is a great video tutorial from Threadbanger on a DIY dressform from water-activated packing tape:

    http://www.threadbanger.com/episode/THR_20090403

    Haven’t tired it, but it’s on my to do list.

    1 Reply
  • 1ea8f961776a5fe83ce32501b0f5b0b7d32f5d9d_large

    Mar 10, 2010, 04.27 AMby oscarthegrouch108

    i dont think that you can make a stuffed-animal type of form be very accurate or sturdy. the duct tape ones aren’t bad, but personally i dont want to deal with the hassle. i decided that i’m just going to save up and buy an adjustable.

    2 Replies
    • Wilbur_thumb

      Mar 10, 2010, 04.46 AMby AceyDoubleYou

      That may be what I do eventually… I just want to get a little more experience in before I go for it, so I know a little better what I need.

    • 1ea8f961776a5fe83ce32501b0f5b0b7d32f5d9d_thumb

      Mar 10, 2010, 03.31 PMby oscarthegrouch108

      if you know of anyone with an adjustable form even remotely in your size, ask them to try it out (offer to have a sewing day with them, and in the process use their form). you’ll be able to find out if you like it or not.

      i’m a little anti dress form; people have lumps and bumps that forms dont, and i have to see it on the person anyway, so i just make time for fittings.

  • 4735ebfd7f9ef58a82c62ee1fecd65751334fdfc_large

    Mar 10, 2010, 06.39 AMby mlssfshn

    Check Craig’s List as well in your area I’m always finding dress forms on there.

    1 Reply
    • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_thumb

      Mar 10, 2010, 09.15 AMby KateXXXXXX

      Good thought.

      Also try freecycle…

  • Vatten_large

    Mar 10, 2010, 11.55 AMby Ichigogirl

    To make a pinable dressform by wrapping yourself in water-activated packing-paper-tape look at these two links:

    Step 1: http://ancien-nouveau.blogspot.com/2010/01/paper-tape-dress-form.html (my own blog, sorry to promote it here but it’s a tutorial with several links to other tutorials)

    Step 2: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/dress-form/instructions/1 (a tutorial here on Burdstyle on how to transform the paper-tape dressform to an even better verision, pinnable and with your exact measurements)

    If you plan to make the pinnable version (step 2) you don’t have to pay as careful attention to the form’s outside as I did, since you use the inside as a mould for a new one (that’s how you end up with the correct measurements).

    I think that combination is probably the ultimate DIY at home for cheap dress-form.

    Good luck!

  • 100_0259_large

    Mar 10, 2010, 01.02 PMby nu.me.dezyne

    I had attempted 2 different DIY dressforms unfortunatly none of them worked out for me.! Duct tape the pins got sticky and unusable. 2 Plaster bandage after 4 hours i waited for it to dry as i peeled it off it just fell to pieces. So I kept an eye out on ebay. I found one that I won for £10 in my exact measurements Give an inch so I would say save the money that you would spend on materials to make your own and see if you have the same luck as me. Also If you are in the uk I have recently found some on the argos website at £99.99 for adjustable ones. But they are online only and not in the catalogue, and with their buy now pay later argos card you could maybe get one straight away, It’s worth checking out. I already have an argos card and am working towards saving for adjustable one as lately a lot of friends are asking for dresses.

    2 Replies
    • Vatten_thumb

      Mar 10, 2010, 02.49 PMby Ichigogirl

      Mhm, I wish they made the adjustable ones my size… the petit ones have the shoulders of a five year old and just don’t work for me :-(…
      Congratulations on a great E-bay-deal!

    • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_thumb

      Mar 10, 2010, 04.41 PMby KateXXXXXX

      Adjustaform make adjustable ones in several sizes. I have a child size one, two mediums and a Full Figure. I also have a man sized one. I think I need a Petite and a Small to complete the set!

      See them here: http://www.adjustoform.com/index.html

      The Full Figure one is large enough to do my sis foot tall and size 26 customers…

      http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Weddingallery/Sarahflower.JPG

      http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Weddingallery/Janjacketback.JPG

      And shorter Large Ladies:

      http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Weddingallery/redandblack.JPG

      http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Poshfrockgallery/Jennyfront.JPG

      The Petite and Small are quite tiny, when you consider that this model size suit is on the Medium dialed up to a standard Vogue size 12!

      http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/21st-c-tailoring

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