Thursday, October 30, 2014

Dress form suggestions

I've researched this topic to death, so I thought I'd ask the direct question...

I need help with a proper dress form!

My dilemma is this: I am more petite than available dress forms. My first was a dial-a-size dummy from JoAnns that served it's purpose, however, even when I dial it to its smallest size, the underbust is too big, and the bust isn't as high as mine. For this reason, and the rigid boobs, it's not really appropriate for historical wear. The standard, expensive dress forms don't go down to my size, and juvenile forms are too short-waisted to try padding them up to my size.

 I have a Uniquely You form now, but even with the smallest form and the smallest cover, it's still too big. I've fit the cover as tight as I could get it and then some, but the dummy itself is still too big. I got enthusiastic and completely chopped the boobs off now to make falsies for corsetry, but I'm having so much trouble getting the dummy smaller. I've started shaving off foam, but it's leaving such a choppy surface. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

(And duct-tape double isn't really an option, I don't want to pin into duct-tape.)


For some reason, it's very hard to get this separating thing with a smaller bust on these forms, this 'squish the foam to size' isn't really working for smaller shapes :p








3 comments:

  1. I know you said you didn't want a duct tape form, but here's what I did. I made a duct tape form but then put a couple layers of batting on it so I can pin onto it. Since the batting added a bit of thickness to it I put an old corset I had over it to get it back to my measurements. On top of that I just put an old t-shirt so it looks nicer. It's been working great for me, but I totally understand not wanting a duct tape form!

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  2. This may sound a bit odd, but have you considered getting a child/teen size torso form and then adding batting over it until it matches your shape? Then you can make a uniquely you style cover for it to hold everything in place. You might even be able to get away with buying one of those "home decor" dress forms since they are usually smaller than regular sewing dress forms.

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  3. I also didn't want to deal with duct tape gumming up my sewing pins ... paper tape is an alternative I've seen people use: http://www.jejune.net/bits/2008/09/paper-tape-dressform/

    I've made mine, just need to stuff it once I figure out how to make a sturdy stand ... like the duct tape, use a fitted shirt to wear under the paper tape. I think I'm probably going to make a cover with spandex or jersey so I can really pin into it.

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