[OT] Dress form advice?
Rebecca Lovelace
a dress form. The problem is the one available from joann.com (Dritz
My Double) does not fit my measurements (I didn't think I was THAT
small but apparently my hips are too small). I figure a lot of you
probably have them already. So does anyone A) have any adjustable
dress forms they would recommend (if I invest in it I want it to be
able to be used for more than just me) and B) know a good source (mail
order or online) to get them? (For extra credit, if you make a
Victorian-era corset that laces smaller than your normal waist, would
you use a dress form with a smaller waist measurement than yours, or
do you not bother with a dress form, or what?)
Thanks!
Rebecca
Kathleen
Another less expensive option would be to make your own custom dress
form.
In a nutshell, you don the undergarments you mean to wear with the
clothing you'll be making, put on an old, oversized t-shirt over the top
and have an assistant wrap you with several layers of duct tape. Then
your assistant uses a sharp scissors to carefully cut your t-shirt lined
duct tape sheath up the back (mind the bra strap!) to allow you to
escape. You then tape the form closed, stuff it, mount it on a pole of
the appropriate height and voila! Custom dress form.
Do a Google search for "duct tape double" for more specific
instructions and hints.
Kathleen
Mrs L Hull
> clothing you'll be making, put on an old, oversized t-shirt over the top
> and have an assistant wrap you with several layers of duct tape. Then
> your assistant uses a sharp scissors to carefully cut your t-shirt lined
> duct tape sheath up the back (mind the bra strap!) to allow you to
> escape. You then tape the form closed, stuff it, mount it on a pole of
> the appropriate height and voila! Custom dress form.
> Do a Google search for "duct tape double" for more specific
> instructions and hints.
If one does this, be sure to wrap yourself in cling film or something
similar first! Duct tape directly on skin = major pain when coming off.
~L
Kathleen
That's what the t-shirt is for. ;-)
Kathleen
Kara
wrote:
I was told to use plaster strips (not sure what they are called in
English). The kind you used to make masks when in kindergerden (or at
least I did). You buy them in roles and wet them, and then put them
on your T-shirt. Just make sure you take it off before it dries
completely, or you are stuck. Or you can let it dry and cut it up i
front and back, and put it back together again. This should be more
sturdy than duct tape. Otherwise the instructions are as above.
When you are done I would advise you to cover the form with some fome
sheets (again don't know the exact word), and then some material.
This will make the form slightly softer, so you can put needles in it.
Also the material wont get caught on the plaster or duct tape.
I haven't actually made one, but the lady at the museum I got this
from sayed that they had used it. The method they usually used to
ensure a perfect fit (many old dresses wont fit on modern dolls) was
to cut them out of styrofoam. They started off with several rings,
about 10 cm thick, and cut to aproxamite size. They glued them on top
of each other and started chisseling away. They said that this was
very hard, and wouldn't actualy recomend it to a beginner.
I have a form with lots of knobs to adjust the size. They cost more,
but you get a better fit. I don't know of any online sites. All I
can say is that they are a lot cheaper in Sweden than in Norway :)
These forms are not good for making corsets (or other boned garments)
as they are not as soft as humans, and will not change shape. When
you put on a corset your waist becomes more round, while it normaly is
oval. Also the brests on the form don't move, and you want to make
sure it fits properly there. For making corsets it is best to just
use your own mesurements and try it on often. If you are uncertain, I
would make a corset in a cheap material that you can alter untill it
fits, then draw off the pieces to make a corset. Just make sure you
don't use to long making the corset. I started a corset 3 years ago,
and I don't think it will fit me properly now, when it is finnished.
Bodies tend to cjange shape, especially when you are a teenager.
Also, I prefere corsets that lace in the back. Then they do not have
to have a perfect fit, and you can leave a gap or tighten it if you
want. If the lacing is in the front, you have to allways close it
tight.
Kara
"Fashion is a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to change it every six months."
-Oscar Wilde
NightMist
wrote:
>On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 22:18:39 -0600, Kathleen <kh...@charter.net>
>wrote:
>>
>> Another less expensive option would be to make your own custom dress
>>form.
>> In a nutshell, you don the undergarments you mean to wear with the
>>clothing you'll be making, put on an old, oversized t-shirt over the top
>>and have an assistant wrap you with several layers of duct tape. Then
>>your assistant uses a sharp scissors to carefully cut your t-shirt lined
>>duct tape sheath up the back (mind the bra strap!) to allow you to
>>escape. You then tape the form closed, stuff it, mount it on a pole of
>>the appropriate height and voila! Custom dress form.
>> Do a Google search for "duct tape double" for more specific
>>instructions and hints.
>
>I was told to use plaster strips (not sure what they are called in
>English). The kind you used to make masks when in kindergerden (or at
>least I did). You buy them in roles and wet them, and then put them
>on your T-shirt. Just make sure you take it off before it dries
>completely, or you are stuck. Or you can let it dry and cut it up i
>front and back, and put it back together again. This should be more
>sturdy than duct tape. Otherwise the instructions are as above.
This sounds suitable for a long term situation where the measurements
are not going to change significantly. Once you add your padding, it
strikes me that you would have significantly increased the size
though. That is one of the advantages of the duct tape method, you
add the padding underneath, and it does not alter the size .
>
>When you are done I would advise you to cover the form with some fome
>sheets (again don't know the exact word), and then some material.
>This will make the form slightly softer, so you can put needles in it.
>Also the material wont get caught on the plaster or duct tape.
Commonly in the past, the way it was done was to buy a dress form that
was shaped and sized small, then pad it up to the size you need, and
cover with muslin.
Quilt batting (wadding in some parts of the globe) is generally
considered to be the best thing for the padding nowdays.
I have some old sewing and tailoring books with entire chapters
devoted to this process.
NightMist
--
I'm a little teapot, short and stout
here is my handle, here is my...other...handle?
Bloody Hell!!
I'm a sugar bowl!
Spiderlashes2000
ebay who sells them, all different sizes, all different price points.
Can't remember his name, though. He may go by "slick productions" or
maybe i'm confusing him with someone else. A search would find
him/them. The shipping fees would probably be pretty bad, so I'd also
check every Salvation Army and Goodwill around to see if the have any.
Rebecca Lovelace
> Doesn't Jo-anne's sell adjustable size dress forms?
Well, they do, but the brand they sell doesn't adjust to my
measurements. There are other brands that do... but I was looking to
see if anyone would recommend a specific brand.
Thanks!
Rebecca
Filigree00
>I'd also
>check every Salvation Army and Goodwill around to see if the have any.
Yes, and I want to add check the yard sales every weekend.
I found my dress form at a yard sale for $2 (it's antique but not in the best
condition). Since then, I've seen two more at yard sales. One they wanted quite
a bit for as it was in great shape, the other was thrown in the dumpster
already (I arrived late to an estate sale). I would've saved it but there were
a ton of *stinky* nasty flattened boxes thrown on top of everything (including
a ton of clothing, probably 60s/70s vintage) by the time I got to looking in
there. I really could've strangled the guys who were running it (they were
'professionals', not family).
On-topic moral if you decide to check the yard sales: go often, and go *early*.
Kirsten
Filigree00
>Commonly in the past, the way it was done was to buy a dress form that
>was shaped and sized small, then pad it up to the size you need, and
>cover with muslin.
>Quilt batting (wadding in some parts of the globe) is generally
>considered to be the best thing for the padding nowdays.
>I have some old sewing and tailoring books with entire chapters
>devoted to this process.
This process would be perfect for my old dress form. You wouldn't happen to
have the names/years of those books handy, would you? I'll scour my libraries
for the info, but if I knew of something specific to look for it might help.
tia!
Kirsten
NYC-FMS
"Rebecca Lovelace" <usagi...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:77e30cd7.03111...@posting.google.com...
> Well, they do, but the brand they sell doesn't adjust to my
> measurements. There are other brands that do... but I was looking to
> see if anyone would recommend a specific brand.
Hey Rebecca L.,
I cant find a decent dial adjustable one that fits my measurements either.
Your only option might be to pay a bloody fortune to have one custom made,
or make your own.
The make your own instructions can be found for free on the web. The
materials are cheap, but you do need to have either your significant other
or a trusted friend help. I have yet to make one, but I have found several
sites with instructions:
For info on making a paper tape dummy, the old fashioned way circa 1920's:
http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-24.htm
For making the modern duct tape dummy or paper tape dummy:
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00002.asp
Another more expensive option is from http://www.mytwindressforms.com/ . The
dress form is made similar to the ones above, except you have plaster body
cast type bandages wrapped all over you ( like being in traction), then the
cast is removed and they use it to make a mold for a foam double.
Supposedly you can do this at home, and they sell a kit, but it sounds kind
of messy to me.
The bad thing with any of these dress form dummies is that if you lose or
gain weight they become useless.
Rebecca
NYC-FMS
"Filigree00" <filig...@aol.comigree> wrote in message
news:20031118001242...@mb-m12.aol.com...
> Nightmist wrote re: padding a dress form:
>
> >Commonly in the past, the way it was done was to buy a dress form that
> >was shaped and sized small, then pad it up to the size you need, and
> >cover with muslin.
<snip>
Kirsten then asked:
> This process would be perfect for my old dress form. You wouldn't happen
to
> have the names/years of those books handy, would you?
Try this websites for info why a dress form should be bought smaller if
bought ready made:
http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-21.htm
Basically to make a dress form lining you make a muslin sloper of a skin
tight sheath dress that fits you like a glove. The sloper goes on the dress
form usually with a zipper down the back, then you pad the boobs, but,
hips, tummy etc to fit. For making the lining:
http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-22.htm
For padding the dress form:
http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-23.htm
For info on making a paper tape dummy, the old fashioned way circa 1920's:
http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-24.htm
You can also buy a stretchy dress form cover and a set of pads from :
http://www.fabulousfit.com/
Note, I haven't tried any of the above (yet) so if it doesn't work, don't
yell at me ;o)
Rebecca
Frances Kathleen Moffatt
[dress form dummies]
> For making the modern duct tape dummy or paper tape dummy:
> http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00002.asp
> The bad thing with any of these dress form dummies is that if you lose or
> gain weight they become useless.
True, but at least the paper-tape one (option four on the Threads page)
only takes a few hours.
Random related thought--how easy is it to take in store-bought 'nice
clothes' (slacks, fitted tops, etcetera)? I'm stressed and depressed,
which badly makes me want to go shopping[1], but I'm also losing weight
at the rate of roughly a pound to a pound and a half a week, and don't
want to buy things if they're not going to fit come February. At the same
time, while I'm comfortable sewing, adjusting existing clothes (even ones
I've made myself) makes me horribly nervous.
Torrain
---
[1] Expensive habit, I know. But I do need new clothes.
qwayla
Sorry to delurk responding to something.
If you want to buy a new dress form, try the ones they have on
www.fabulousfit.com. (Sorry, I don't remember enough html to get that
to show up as a link.) I don't have one, but it's one of the dress
forms I'm considering when I finally get around to buying one. They
have a system where you get a standard form with a stretchy cover that
goes over it and a whole bunch of squishy pads that go under the cover
to fill the form out in the right places. I don't know how different
you can make the final measurements from the starting form (for
purposes of using it to fit clothes for someone else), but it would
seem to have a good bit of flexibility in it in case you gain or lose
weight. (I don't know if that's a consideration.)
It would still be difficult to fit a corset over a form like this, but
you might be able to do it by padding the form out to what you want
your body to be shaped like inside the corset.
Again, I don't have one of these, so I don't know if it's really as
good as it sounds and looks on the website, but it might be a place to
start if you want a new one.
Best wishes for your search,
qwayla
NYC-FMS
"Frances Kathleen Moffatt" <dv...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:bpdkph$mv0$1...@freenet9.carleton.ca...
>
> Random related thought--how easy is it to take in store-bought 'nice
> clothes' (slacks, fitted tops, etcetera)?
Depends on the construction and style of the garment. Lined items and pants
are harder. If its something tricky that I am totally scared of on an
expensive garment, I take it to the tailor and don't attempt it myself.
>I'm stressed and depressed,
> which badly makes me want to go shopping[1], but I'm also losing weight
> at the rate of roughly a pound to a pound and a half a week, and don't
> want to buy things if they're not going to fit come February.
Worst time to shop. If you want to buy yourself something that will still
fit in February stick to shoes and purses. They will still fit no matter how
much weight you lose. Or do my favorite depressed on a budget shopping
therapy... treat yourself to a fun color of nail polish at the drug store.
For some odd reason blue nail polish makes me happy. If you must buy an
article of clothing get something with an elastic waist or something that
might still look ok if its a size or two too big, like a sweater.
> while I'm comfortable sewing, adjusting existing clothes (even ones
> I've made myself) makes me horribly nervous.
Altering something you made yourself is the easiest, because you know how it
went together and can recut it easier than figuring out how someone else did
it originally. Try getting some books on alterations from your local
library, or satisfy your shopping urge by looking for used sewing books on
eBay. Depending on what you want to alter and in what spots, you may want
to study up on darts.
Rebecca
Filigree00
>Basically to make a dress form lining you make a muslin sloper of a skin
>tight sheath dress that fits you like a glove. The sloper goes on the dress
>form usually with a zipper down the back, then you pad the boobs, but,
>hips, tummy etc to fit. For making the lining:
>http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-22.htm
Yay! I needed sloper instructions anyway and these are very detailed, which is
good.
>For padding the dress form:
>http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-23.htm
Perfect, you just saved me having to research this at the library.
>For info on making a paper tape dummy, the old fashioned way circa 1920's:
>http://www.vintagesewing.info/1920s/26-FCM/FCM-24.htm
Heh, that's good to know too. My old dress form is a bit unwieldy so if the
first idea doesn't work perhaps I'll try this.
Thanks so much, Rebecca. :)
Kirsten
NYC-FMS
"Filigree00" <filig...@aol.comigree> wrote in message
> Yay! I needed sloper instructions anyway and these are very detailed,
which is
> good.
>
Let me know how it turns out. I still haven't made one. I did start to make
a muslin of a bustier, but since I haven't completed it yet, I have no idea
if I really did it right. I think my new years resolution should be to
finish it, maybe even before new years and wear it new years eve. We'll see
how December goes....
Rebecca
Brenna
> I was told to use plaster strips (not sure what they are called in
> English). The kind you used to make masks when in kindergerden (or at
> least I did). You buy them in roles and wet them, and then put them
> on your T-shirt. Just make sure you take it off before it dries
> completely, or you are stuck. Or you can let it dry and cut it up i
> front and back, and put it back together again. This should be more
> sturdy than duct tape. Otherwise the instructions are as above.
>
> When you are done I would advise you to cover the form with some fome
> sheets (again don't know the exact word), and then some material.
> This will make the form slightly softer, so you can put needles in it.
> Also the material wont get caught on the plaster or duct tape.
>
>
> "Fashion is a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to change it every six months."
> -Oscar Wilde
My pattern teacher showed us a video on making body doubles, that uses
the plaster method to make a mold, which is then filled with expanding
insulation foam. The foam gets lightly sanded, then padded, covered
with a sloper, and put on a stand. The obvious drawback is that you
would not be able to fit a corset on this, but for an affordable
alternative to buying a custom dummy... it's about $50-75 worth of
materials vs. $300+.
If anyone wants more detailed instructions I'd be happy to post them
here or email you directly--I took good notes!
-Brenna
Filigree00
>"Filigree00" <filig...@aol.comigree> wrote in message
>news:20031118223538...@mb-m11.aol.com...
>> Yay! I needed sloper instructions anyway and these are very detailed,
>which is
>> good.
>>
>
>Let me know how it turns out.
It may be a while before I work on this stuff. I'm always adding to my list of
projects and saving everything to my computer, but currently need the space,
money, and time to complete the more involved ones.
>I did start to make
>a muslin of a bustier, but since I haven't completed it yet, I have no idea
>if I really did it right. I think my new years resolution should be to
>finish it, maybe even before new years and wear it new years eve. We'll see
>how December goes....
Good luck on that. :) It's always a busy month for me, at any rate.
Kirsten
