Chasing Hawk

As a late Christmas gift, my husband ordered a Dressmaker's form for me.

I am really excited about this, since losing around 32 lbs since June of last year. I can now start making all those blouses I have patterns for. I even had to buy a belt for the first time in my life, being "between" pant sizes was the reason. Our grand daughter says I wear saggy pants now..lol
There will be a lot of alterations going on since a lot of my store bought blouses, which I haven't worn in ages, will be to big now.

SusieQOH

Wonderful about your weight loss, Chase! I can't say the same unfortunately
I don't make clothes, only messes.

leaha

wonderful so happy for you, I have been on new way of eating and will keep on it as new health problems came up and it is now eat right or die, I have a out fit on my dress form that I hope to some day be able to wear, thats how I use mine,

Rhonda K

Congratulations on your success!

This is one of my favorite designers. She has great tutorials too. I attended one of her seminars. Some of the ladies at the LQS use the forms for their clothes.

https://www.angelawolfpatterns.com/

platyhiker

I don't use a dress form, but I have a friend who sews a lot of clothes who tried a commercially made one, and was disappointed with it. Even with a dress form adjusted to match your measurements, it may not match your shape very closely. Most dress forms resemble a slender 20-something with excellent posture, a flat stomach and strong shoulders, so a dress form may not match some parts of a person's body, such a bit of a tummy bulge, sloping shoulders, or some spine curvature. You can adjust the form somewhat, by pinning or taping on padding to match a tummy bulge, say. My friend sews closely fitted garments, so she was much happier with the duct-tape dress form she made, as that ended truly matching *her* shape, not a generic one.

Now, if the clothes you are making are not very closely fitted, a commercial dress form may work well enough for your needs. I do suggest looking critically at how its shape compares with yours when you get it - taking some pictures of both it and yourself (front, back, each side) and comparing them can be helpful. See if you can use some padding in appropriate spots to get a closer match. Then, try on some of the best fitting garments you have, and see how they hang on yourself and the dress form.

cjsews

I have never had the privilege of using a dress form. I can see where it may have been handy. Hope you enjoy your gift

cashs_mom

i've made a lot of clothes but never used a dress forms. My firends who have them gave mixed reviews on how useful they actually were.

Chasing Hawk

Thank you all for the compliments.

Platyhiker...I would have never thought about using duct tape to make a dress form. I am kinda of round and lumpy....lol

I ordered a plus size one since I hate tight fitting blouses and t shirts. I have always been self conscious about my chest size. I went from flat to grapefruits overnight it seemed......LOL

I will post my first accomplishment with my dressmaker form.

platyhiker

Another idea - if the dress form's bust does not match yours very well, put a spare bra onto the form and stuff it appropriately.

bearisgray

Congratulations on your weight Loss!

For me, a standardized dress form would not be helpful for fitting clothes to my body.