I have been sewing clothes for myself for a while now and have always depended on a muslin or toile for fitting. There were times I wished I had a dress form that was made to my measurements. Most of them were too expensive for me. I did not care for the "duct tape" dress form either. So for a while I was content with my fitting method. Until recently when I needed to sew some garments for my daughter who lives on the other side of the coast. I thought having her dress form body double would facilitate long distance fitting. After reading so many positive reviews of the Bootstrap Fashion DIY Dress Form, I decided to give it a try. I was so happy with the results that I immediately made another one for myself!
Introducing Violet, my body double! I can't say enough about this dress form. It is not only affordable but incredibly accurate! For more detailed info on the DIY process, check out my post here.
And below is my daughter's body double, Abby!
Wow, that is impressive! You did an amazing job on this. I'm sure that your daughter will appreciate your efforts when she receives perfectly fitted clothes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann! My only regret is not doing it sooner!
DeleteThank you for all the tips. I've received my pattern from Bootstrap and am ready to get started. Your dress forms look great and it was good to know I can use my current dress form stand with a curtain rod. Much appreciated
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome! Good luck with your dress form! Just make sure the curtain rod is substantial as after filling up the shell, it kinda gets heavy. My closet rod had a diameter of 1”.
DeleteWow, this is an amazing likeness. I am definitely going to do this. Thanks for posting about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Enjoy the process!
DeleteHow did you find your stand? Are you able to move it around easily? I have a hardwood floor. Great job! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The stand used to hold a standard dressform which I bought online. Unfortunately it was quite a while back and I can’t remember exactly which online store:(
DeleteMaria, thanks so much for answering! Did you have to cut anything off at the top? Do you think an industrial form stand on wheels would work? The stand is the only part I don't quite understand. Beth
DeleteYou’re welcome Beth! My standard dress form had the removable torso similar to this one on eBay:
Deletehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Womens-Dressmaker-Seamstress-Dress-Form-Off-White-Mannequin-Tailor-Female-Stand/192566318006?hash=item2cd5d8d3b6:g:6MgAAOSwJb9Wq55a
I was able to find a stainless steel closet rod at Home Depot that fit over the pole that was attached to the stand. I needed the rod because the one attached to the standard dressform was not long enough to support the Bootstrap dressform. If your purchased stand has an adjustable pole that is as long as your finished dressform then you won’t need to worry about purchasing a separate rod. I hope I’m explaining it clearly. One way to find out is measure the length of your pattern piece for the pipe then compare it with the length of the industrial dress form. Some dress forms like mine don’t have poles that extend through the length of the torso but just screw to the base of the torso so the latter is just an empty hollow mannequin. So try to find out about the industrial dressform before purchasing it.
Thanks so much for explaining the stand and for the link!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem!
Delete5 Reasons Why You Should Use Tailor Mannequin. Tailor mannequins or dummies are mannequins which can be designed as an instance of the frame of human to reveal or in shape clothes via tailors and special material designers.
ReplyDeleteWhich 'posture' choice did you choose for additional fit measurements?
ReplyDeleteI chose the "hollow back". Sorry it took so long for me to respond. Somehow, I did not get an email notification for this comment.
DeleteHello maria is it a company where you can order a pattern for your maniquin?
ReplyDeleteSorry for my english
Thanx Anita from the Netherlands
Hi Anita, sorry for the late response, I haven't been receiving the e-mail notification for new comments. The Bootstrap company is where I purchased the pattern to make the dressform.
DeleteHello, I'm seeing this in 2024 and am about to make one myself. Do you think the interfacing needs to be pre-washed for this project? I don't think I'll ever take the form apart to wash it. I pre-washed the outer fabric, thinking that would aid stability, but I'm not seeing the reason for washing the interfacing.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I never wash my interfacings. The ones I use are the woven ones (previously purchased from Fashion Sewing Supply but now from Mood) which don't require prewashing. For other types of interfacing, I just steam. For this project, you most likely won't need to prewash.
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