Dress Forms?

Aside from the clone-a-double duct tape dress forms, are than any that you'd recommend?

I've been thinking about getting this one (an Athena dress form from Hancocks, as I have a 30% off coupon.

 

I have a "My Double" form, which I received as a Christmas gift from my mother (she purchased it through JoAnn Fabrics). She paid about the same as the one you are interested in.

I love my dress form; it has become a necessary tool for my costumes over the past two years since I've received it, and there is no better tool, aside from a French curve, for drafting patterns from the ground up (something which I had to do for my Bespin costume). In fact, it is quite common for couturiers to create their clothing on a dress form right off the bat (a technique called "draping", where you take lengths of cloth and begin attaching them to the form in various ways to create garment--in fact, I would not be surprised if this was how Padme's rainbow gown was created--it looks like it was "draped").

However, I would recommend getting a dress form for which you can expand or contract its size, so that you can customize it (which is what I can do with mine). I've seen dress forms that are for single sizes only, but they only fit women who are uniform in size, both top and bottom. I had to have one I could resize, as I am a size 10 on top, but a size 16 on the bottom. In fact, my dress form can only accomodate up to a 14, but the bust on the next grade up was too large, so I have to pad the hips on my current form, which is no big deal, really.

The idea is that I have a virtual model of my body, to which I can pin muslin patterns, make alterations, and create a more exacting garment than I otherwise could trying to do it on my own body, standing in front of the mirror and contorting myself. So whatever form you get, get one you can resize as you will for your own measurements. And the one from Hancock's that you are considering looks to be one that you can resize to your specifications.

Anyway you look at it, it's a good investment for the costumer (and can be very decorative when not in use--I kept my Tudor Renaissance gown on it for a number of months, just for decoration, in my living room, while I was between costumes).

Hope that helps!

(And I love the idea of those duct-tape body forms! I always wanted to try one, especially one from the waist to the knees, since fitting pants for me is a nightmare--I think it would be much more helpful to have one. Well, maybe one day, when I can figure out where I can hang it in my house... )

 

Has anyone tried the duct tape form? I want to try it because it looks cheap and easy. But I'm weary to devote the time it looks like it would take to make it...

 

I'm told people plan parties surrounding this idea. A few friends get together to help each other make these body forms, chipping in for materials, and basically making a day out of it. I myself have never made one, but I do want to try it out one day, too...

 

The only issue I have with the whole duct tape idea is how tough it is. A normal dress form can be pinned and pierced with needles very easily. Duct tape, however is pretty thick. And layers of it...? I doubt it will be possible to pin things to it, you know?

 

"Clone Yourself a Fitting Assistant" tells how to make one using paper tape, that can be easily pinned and poked. If I don't buy the Athena dress form I linked above, I may order the mold to make a paper-mache dress form.

 

Mrs. M - Though I haven't done it yet, here's what I'm planning for my dress form. I found instructions on creating one from brown packaging tape (same idea as duct tape). Once I've done that, I plan to stuff it with batting, mount it on a stand that is exactly my height and cover the entire body with some type of inexpensive knit fabric for pinnability. I figure all the time and effort will be well worth the enhanced fit of my clothes.

I really like the idea of a party to create everyone's dress forms, but you guys are my sewing friends and no one lives close. Oh well.

Regards,
M.

 

StormtrooperPrincess, I *used* to have that Athena dress form. I gave it to my Mom in a moment of generosity when I was moving out. (At that point in time she was using it way more than I was, so....) Anyway, I like it a lot. It could act a little wonky sometimes when trying to adjust the sizing. That may have just been from over-use or my un-gentle ways, but it's a good tool.

 

I have a few Athena dressforms that cover a range of sizes. They are good as far as adjustablility, and for seeing your garment on a form--a definate asset to any seamstress-BUT they are a little lacking. I have often had to pad areas with batting or foam to get the right proportions. Obviously as we know not all people with a 36 Bust look the same. Some are fuller in the front, some on the sides and some in the back. These (and any adjustable form) simply give the "ideal" for those measurements dialed in. If you are going for a "custom" tight fitting garment the tape form is the best. I have worked from them in theaters-basically pinning into the fabric pieces and not into the form. But the knit covered one sounds like a good idea. I know they make dressforms called My Double where the cover is fitted to your exact shape and then is put over the foam to contort it to your shape. For the cost-I think I would do a duct tape version-because many of us vary our shape constantly. Whatever you chose to go with-I think you won't regret it. I don't think I could sew a garment again without a form of some sort.
Ferd

 

I made a DTD and it does pin if I use strong pins

I never got round to covering it with pinnable fabric, but it *is* a really good idea.

You can also made a form of your body using plaster bandages and fill it with polyfill.. or whatever expanding foam you can get ner you. Making sure to vasaline the inside to stop it sticking Or I think someone also used a spary cooking oil too...

Pinnable, light and not too toxic if you use good ventilation and don't stay too close to it while drying

 

I have 2 dress forms, both inherited, (an Athena and a My Double) and have worked with several others at various points along the curve.
I think Ferd really covered the salient points quite well!

I can't imagine not having a dress form any more -- if for no other reason than to keep current projects off the floor.
It's so worth the investment to have one (or more) of these around.


-sg

 

New event for CIII--Duct Tape Double Party! I definately want a clone of myself when I get around to working on that Jabba's slave dancer costume, but for now I think I'll go with the Athena.

Thanks, y'all.

 

Ok, how funny would it be to have a DTD party at a con? Can you imagine trying to carry it on the flight home? Blarharhar.


-sg

 

The people at security would love it. Especially if you create the stand for it at the same time, and use metal parts.

 

LOL -- MiraxT you're kind of near me....we should have a Mid-west dress form party to make ours!

 

Mrs. M - I'd been totally up for that!
If not for specifically making our dressforms, maybe a midwest costuming ideas/fun event?

Regards,
M.

 

Thank y'all for your advice! I ordered it a few days ago, and it arrived today. Yay. She hasn't been named yet, but she will be before the weekend is over.

 

Hey, StormtrooperPrincess, congrats on your new acquisition!

You bring up an interesting point about names... does anyone else name their dress forms?

Mine are named Marie and Steve, despite the fact that they're both female forms... and all my friends know them by those names and refer to them as such.
Heeheehee.

-sg

 

You ordered it? Oh, enjoy, StormtrooperPrincess! You are going to love having one! They are the best aid any seamstress can have!

And, yes, you should definitely name yours, as Surly has done. That's a great idea! I've never named mine, but since it is kind of like having a third person in the house, perhaps I should... Hmmmmm...

 

Leia, name it Tom.

My mother had an Athena for a long time, but a bit of a mishap durring our first move five years ago resulted in it ending up at the thrift store. She has yet to replace it. I might have to invest in one, seeing as how I'm really getting into costuming now....

 

Tom! Teehee! Brilliant! I just might!
And he'd get a kick out of it!



(For those who don't know, Tom is our infamous CityRep for the Wisconsin Fanforce...)

 

Neimhaille (and anyone else who has made the duct tape dress form),

does that actually work? I read through the online tutorial, but it seems like it can't possibly be that easy. And I'm afraid I'll make it too tight or too lose...

lmk how it worked for you!

-Wendy

 

I haven't made one myself, but a good friend just made a gaff-tape dress form (just like a duct-tape one, but gaff tape is less slippery). She loves it and just used it to build a gorgeous dress for her brother-in-law's wedding. She says the only problem is it is a *bit* bigger than her, so anything that's tight-fitting on her won't fit the double quite right.

 

Her new name: Margaret.

She was a big help last night. I finally have a perfectly straight, even hem on my Nomi Sunrider skirt! Previous attempts, with Mom's help (she doesn't sew at all), were very, very wrong.

 

I made my 'duct-form' today... :grin: It actually turned out pretty good...

Just needs filling and few finishing touches

... My legs are hurting from the 3 hour session, and my back is sore, though