Thread: Ideas for a good quality dress form

Ok, so I am finally gonna step up my costuming and get a dress form. Making costumes and skirts is just too hard to do without one. It will make my life so much easier...

That being said, I have noticed that there are basically two types of forms.

A $99 Jo-Ann Fabrics dress form and
Professional Dress forms in the $300 to $400.

My question, is it worth the $$ to buy the professional?

I only plan to use the dress form for myself.

I've got a Dritz "my double" dress form. I think I paid more than $99 for it, but it certainly wasn't in the $300 - $400 range. I've had it for several years now and I don't love it. It's very hard to adjust. The wheels that make the adjustments are very hard to move and I managed to break the waist adjustment on one side trying to adjust it once. I use mine to make costumes for other people, so I'm always adjusting it and it's a pain in the butt. I've been thinking about buying a new one that of better quality so I'll be curious as to what others think of the higher end forms if they have one.

With that said, if you're not going to be doing a lot of adjustments and will just be using it for yourself, I think the cheapie will do just fine.

Well, you could also make the duct tape dress form easily enough. Cheap, easy. Make a new one if you gain or lose weight. Make one for your clients.

I also have a Unique You dress form. You can change the measurements by taking in or letting out the heavy duty cover. Its foam and the cover compresses it to match your shape (you fit the cover to yourself first)

Uniquely You Dress Forms

See Post #475.

Duct tape is the way to go for accuracy and cost-effectiveness, esp. if you're using the dress form just for you. I've used mine already to fabricate skirts from scratch and adjust regular clothing.

And if you want some extra added bonus benefits, instead of a T-shirt, wrap yourself in plastic wrap and herbs and you'll do a body wrap at the same time!

I decided to make mine with a crotch b/c I want to adjust pants as well.

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

Ok, so I am finally gonna step up my costuming and get a dress form. Making costumes and skirts is just too hard to do without one. It will make my life so much easier...

That being said, I have noticed that there are basically two types of forms.

A $99 Jo-Ann Fabrics dress form and
Professional Dress forms in the $300 to $400.

My question, is it worth the $$ to buy the professional?

I only plan to use the dress form for myself.

Get out of my head! ..l;, I've been meaning to start exactly this thread for a couple of days now.

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

great minds think alike

Thanks - I needed this thread too. I love the duct tape idea. Each month, our troupe gets together for a "Ladies Day" to work on costumes, watch videos, etc. This would be a great Ladies Day project. They would be fun to work on as a group. Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by Azhia

See Post #475.

Duct tape is the way to go for accuracy and cost-effectiveness, esp. if you're using the dress form just for you. I've used mine already to fabricate skirts from scratch and adjust regular clothing.

And if you want some extra added bonus benefits, instead of a T-shirt, wrap yourself in plastic wrap and herbs and you'll do a body wrap at the same time!

I decided to make mine with a crotch b/c I want to adjust pants as well.

Love the plastic wrap idea!

In my area there's a fabric store that offers all kinds of sewing classes, and every few months they have a one-day class on how to do a duct tape dress form. You might be able to find a how-to for this in your area as well. I've been thinking for a while about checking this out -- now I feel inspired to try it!

In the past few years, I've spent HOURS researching dress forms on the internet. The ones at JoAnn and Hancock don't work for me because they aren't adjustable for length of torso (mine is a bit long). I did order a Singer (I think) for about $100 or so a couple years ago and sent it right back. I'd rather pay more for something of much better quality. It was downright flimsy. There are some sewing forums that have great advice. I will try to find some links to post. The ultimate would be to make a cast of your body and fill it with that expandable foam that hardens. (But then you wouldn't be able to make it smaller if you lost weight.) Another one I've considered starts with a foam base that you build up with pads to mimic you, then stuff it all into a body stocking to smooth it out.

I definitely need one!!!!! I've been pinning my skirts to a floor lamp to hem them.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I've been pinning my skirts to a floor lamp to hem them.

Oh, I think we need a picture of that!! ..l;,

Originally Posted by JennivereMarjeta

Thanks - I needed this thread too. I love the duct tape idea. Each month, our troupe gets together for a "Ladies Day" to work on costumes, watch videos, etc. This would be a great Ladies Day project. They would be fun to work on as a group. Thanks for sharing.

ABsolutely. Because you especially need someone else's help to do this and a group doing it for each other would be a nice activity.

Someone mentioned foam; the challenge wtih the foam is that you really need to create a sealed body form b/c that stuff will come out of any tiny crevice.

I bought a dritz dress form for about $150. It's well worth it and makes everything so much easier. I ordered mine online from Project Runway I think, but it's the same one they have at Joanns or other outlets.

hearty recommend. but, do beware - it's a little flimsy - not super sturdy like the 300-400$ ones, but I find it completely sufficient for hobby sewing.

Now I'm picturing little mushrooms of foam sprouting from little holes - sounds like the beginning of a creative art project!

Originally Posted by Azhia

Someone mentioned foam; the challenge wtih the foam is that you really need to create a sealed body form b/c that stuff will come out of any tiny crevice.

This one appeals to me: Uniquely You Best Buy Dress Form Mannequin, Zippered Cotton Cover over Pinable Foam Rubber Foundation with Stand - Made in USA, Tracking #'s in 7 Days You alter the cover to fit you, then smoosh the dress form into it. Seems very pin-able.

Just for fun: What Was Home Economics? I would love to listen to those radio broadcasts. What do you think happened at the parties? (see end of page two of the dress section)

I have Singer DF-150 Adjustable Dress Form US Size 4 to14, 33-39" Bust fits Size 10 to16. Center Back Length Adjustment 16.25" to18.75" for DF150.
I love having it and use it all the time but find it frustrating that I can't adjust it to be more like me. A group of us have talked about getting together to do the duct tape one because we all have the same complaint. I do recommend AllBrands - I've bought a number of things from them and always great service and fast shipping.

I am in need of a dress form too. I've haven't done tons of looking yet. But what I have found so far is that the forms do not cover my size exactly. My low hip is 41" but my ribcage measurement is 29". I always seem just an inch or tow out of range. Plus if I am going to spend over $100 I'd like to be able to use if for a long while, evenif I loose or gain weight.
Does anyone else have that problem? Or have I not looked for a dress form hard enough?

I love my Uniquely You dressform. The foam base comes in maybe 6 different sizes, so you get the one closest to your measurements. Then you select the cover. Those come in about 15 sizes so you can get really a lot closer to your measurements. The covers have lots of seams and darts that you can take in our let out to get an exact fit. It comes with directions on fitting the cover to your actually body and altering it to fit exactly, then sliding it over the foam base to make it exactly your shape. You can get additional covers to fit people with other proportions and you can pad the form if you need to add inches. No dials. Soft and yielding. Cover is washable and you can pin to it. Comes with an adjustable stand. Like i said, I love itl

Souzan

Yay - approved by a Bhuzzer! I have read many good reviews of it on other forums. This may be the answer to my quest.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I love my Uniquely You dressform. The foam base comes in maybe 6 different sizes, so you get the one closest to your measurements. Then you select the cover. Those come in about 15 sizes so you can get really a lot closer to your measurements. The covers have lots of seams and darts that you can take in our let out to get an exact fit. It comes with directions on fitting the cover to your actually body and altering it to fit exactly, then sliding it over the foam base to make it exactly your shape. You can get additional covers to fit people with other proportions and you can pad the form if you need to add inches. No dials. Soft and yielding. Cover is washable and you can pin to it. Comes with an adjustable stand. Like i said, I love itl

Souzan

Originally Posted by Souzan

I love my Uniquely You dressform. The foam base comes in maybe 6 different sizes, so you get the one closest to your measurements. Then you select the cover. Those come in about 15 sizes so you can get really a lot closer to your measurements. The covers have lots of seams and darts that you can take in our let out to get an exact fit. It comes with directions on fitting the cover to your actually body and altering it to fit exactly, then sliding it over the foam base to make it exactly your shape. You can get additional covers to fit people with other proportions and you can pad the form if you need to add inches. No dials. Soft and yielding. Cover is washable and you can pin to it. Comes with an adjustable stand. Like i said, I love itl

Souzan

OHHHH!!! Got you! I think I will put on on my Christmas list!

I received a Uniquely You dress form. I need to do a little work on the covering for it, then will report back on how it's working out. I'm so excited to have a dress form after so many years of sewing dresses and costumes for myself.

I have been meaning to try the duct tape form for years. It's so hard to make things that fit on your own body. Those of you who use dress forms, what do you recommend regarding bra choice? Obviously one "should" wear the bra one plans to wear under the garment one's making, but I don't want to make a new form every time. Does it matter much in the grand scheme of things?

Also, how freaky is it to have a life-size torso of yourself lying about?

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Also, how freaky is it to have a life-size torso of yourself lying about?

I got used to that in art school when I did a series of plaster casts of my self. ...Years later I had to beg my very supportive mother into taking one of them off the dining room wall where evryone who simply came to the door could see my breasts.

In retrospect, I had some very tolerant roommates in college.

Originally Posted by Azhia

See Post #475.

Duct tape is the way to go for accuracy and cost-effectiveness, esp. if you're using the dress form just for you. I've used mine already to fabricate skirts from scratch and adjust regular clothing.

And if you want some extra added bonus benefits, instead of a T-shirt, wrap yourself in plastic wrap and herbs and you'll do a body wrap at the same time!

I decided to make mine with a crotch b/c I want to adjust pants as well.

I have the same question as Zum. Did you use a bra Azhia? I'm wondering, since one of our primary applications will be fitting a bra, so how does that work...hmmm

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I received a Uniquely You dress form. I need to do a little work on the covering for it, then will report back on how it's working out. I'm so excited to have a dress form after so many years of sewing dresses and costumes for myself.

Having someone help you fit the cover on your body is the key. My husband is no good at pinning to fit. I have also added some padding to the form where needed (like my tummy!) since she is flatter in front than I am.

Souzan

The duct tape method is how I have made a corset pattern in the past (duct tape over t-shirt -- cut apart on corset seams, viola!). But I have had a uniquely you foam with a cover one for 15 years. It has been one of my best sewing purchases. I think I fit it all myself. I pinned and basted and re-tried it on a few times before finally sewing the cover for good.

Originally Posted by mihnea

I have the same question as Zum. Did you use a bra Azhia? I'm wondering, since one of our primary applications will be fitting a bra, so how does that work...hmmm

I did not wear a bra. What I would do differently next time, however, is to wrap tape around each breast to give it a more accurate shape on the dress form. Right now on my current dress form, the boobs are unremarkable "bumps" and do not account for my actual cup size or shape. Did that make sense??..c::

I did the duct tape once, it really not an actuate casing of your self, I have a small C cup and on it was hardly anything there. Once you take the tape off you body it caves in on the sides or the front cause its so flimsy. I recently did the body casting in plaster and covered it with paper mache, That's a little better cause it firm. but it still is small in the boobs and why bigger in the butt. If I had to do it all over again, I would save the money I spent and bought something from the store.

Yeah, I think I need to take in the cover just a little more because the foam expands the cover. But I am really, really happy with it overall! I think it's a great deal for $140 (plus shipping) compared to the flimsy ones I've seen for $100-$120. Uniquely You is a much better representation of my actual shape, especially since I have a long torso. Now I won't have to use the floor lamp to hem skirts! ..l;, (Still owe Latifa a photo of that.)

Originally Posted by Souzan

Having someone help you fit the cover on your body is the key. My husband is no good at pinning to fit. I have also added some padding to the form where needed (like my tummy!) since she is flatter in front than I am.

Souzan

Originally Posted by Souzan

Well, you could also make the duct tape dress form easily enough. Cheap, easy. Make a new one if you gain or lose weight. Make one for your clients.

I also have a Unique You dress form. You can change the measurements by taking in or letting out the heavy duty cover. Its foam and the cover compresses it to match your shape (you fit the cover to yourself first)

Uniquely You Dress Forms

Originally Posted by Azhia

See Post #475.

Duct tape is the way to go for accuracy and cost-effectiveness, esp. if you're using the dress form just for you. I've used mine already to fabricate skirts from scratch and adjust regular clothing.

And if you want some extra added bonus benefits, instead of a T-shirt, wrap yourself in plastic wrap and herbs and you'll do a body wrap at the same time!

I decided to make mine with a crotch b/c I want to adjust pants as well.

Thanks for this.

Hubby is getting sick of being my dress form, lmao!!!

He was complaining that I need one of these. I seen the handmade tutorial on McCalls, but they want $65 for it! Ridiculous! ,m::

Thankfully, there are always free tutorials online.

Jo-Ann has their regularly-$299 model on sale now for $99.