If you want to lean more about making great quality garments and how to use a mannequin best, join me online at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/
Waltzing Matilda is my mannequin. She’s on rollers, and sometimes when I’m pinning she tries to escape and I feel like we’re dancing across my sewing room floor. She leads, I follow.
I just got a dress form earlier this year and I already love it! I padded the form up to my measurements and it's so much easier to mark alterations now! I named her Shakira because her 🎶 hips don't lie 🎶
Thank you for this! I'm moving and I can't face parting with my mannequin. I picked her up when a vintage department store went out of business 20 years ago for $10.00 because she was my size and still is. Miracle! I know it's ridiculous, but Gertie is coming with me to my new home, they just don't make padded wooden beauties like her anymore.
My first, plus sized mannequin is Gretchen. My post bariatric surgery mannequin is Francesca. I had to start from scratch after losing a person(150lbs).
I have a dress form that I made from a custom pattern from Bootstrap. Entered measurements, etc. And they created the pattern which I printed and sewed. She is the best thing that I have ever had for making clothing for myself. (I had tried the duct tape dress form previously, but it was just so-so.) I draft patterns (Lutterloh system) and then pin the patterns on to see if I need to adjust before cutting out fabric. I also like to take men's shirts and refashion into blouses. Bertha loves to wear the shirts as I cut, snip, tuck and adjust the shirts into new creations. Bertha has brought my sewing game to a whole new level.
I’ve got a bootstrap also. It is lovely and very much my shape. My son said good morning the first morning she was finished, thinking it was me in the living room. It’s name is Faye’s Two.
I did this too! I ordered it before the pandemic though and made it during. So the measurements were a little off and her boobs are a bit uneven. It was a pretty easy project though and I'm a slightly experienced newbie. Might take another shot at it see if I can't get her closer. Someone suggested taking your measurements 3 times throughout the day and using the average.
I made a Bootstrap custom dress form and I named her “Pinnie📍.” Knowing that I put my dress form together myself makes having it even more special. I used her to drape my very first garment and everything came together so well and I’m a novice 😊. LOL I got so excited when I saw my mockup draped on Pinnie.
I made my dress form with a Bootstrap Fashions pattern to my measurements. It was one of my first sewing projects and it turned out great, no padding required. She’s named Sara, short for Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts.
My girl is Cuddles and she was made from the bootstrap pattern. Financially, she is the way to go as long as you have intermediate sewing skills because the pattern is involved. I stuffed her out to suit my general size. It's great because I can strap her into my Victorian corset to help with fitting my costume and then she can expand back out to size to fit modern clothing. My only gripe is that the Bootstrap pattern is quite the eye opener and makes you face your body shape in all its natural glory. Bit of a downer sometimes, but she makes sure there's no room for body shaming! Highly recommend getting one of these.
Mine are all "Olga"... named when my Mum bought me my first dressform. It was a standard size very firm lady covered in black material who felt to the touch exactly like a friend´s black Labrador Olga, a huge, fat, old lady dog who loved to give embraces. Meanwhile I only use the original Olga to display garments. To work with I prefer her sisters, good old true vintage Flexiform dummies which I can put on like a garment and adjust the wire mesh to my exact bodyshape. Covered up with a tight t-shirt they are rather pinnable and to some extent can be squeezed like my own body. I really love to work with them.
Yes, I have always wanted one. But, my body keeps changing. I have though of making one using the Duck tape method. But, the real problem is where to store it (when it is not in use). I have got alone for 73 years without one. We don't really need all the things we want. A mannequin is a want not a need.
I find the mannequin very useful. I tried the tape method, but it wasn't good for pinning. Then I tried adjusting a dress, it worked, but I wasn't fully satisfied. So, finally, I modified a corset mannequin pattern that I found free online. my motivation to have one was because I needed to take pictures of clothes, and then, when I made one with my right measurements, I started using it during the sewing prosses. I even use it to plan my outfits.
Lol. Never thought to call my mannequin anything. I did make a duct tape one with a pvc pipe stand. It works well for me and it’s very close to my size. Only drawback was when my husband cut me out of the duct tape, he cut through my bra….and it was my favorite. Lol
@@sarahrudd4995 I'm just on reconnaissance here, wanting to find/make one. I'd really like to know WHY she does not recommend the duct tape method. Maybe you need a husband to start, someone to cut you out. That could be hard to find..... I wonder about a duct tape form, then filling it with papier-mache, like a sculptor uses plaster moulds, so ending up with a soft-ish surface.
I bought a store mannequin last year and covered her with a felted wool sweater (with a t-shirt on top) to bring her up to size. She is an older model with magnetic removable arms! I never even thought to name here... must ponder... Thanks for your wonderful videos!
I have one of the adjustable ones since I'm such a newbie and want to be sure I keep with sewing before spending on a nicer one. I haven't padded her out yet, but she's within an inch or so of my body measurements so it's still helpful til I get there. I dubbed her Ruthie - since my middle name is Ruth (and it was my grandmother's name - whose tin of sewing supplies came to me when she passed).
I’ve always wanted one. But as you said it’s a nice to have not a need. Someday if I find one that is the right price or can be easily made. I might look into the much smaller sizes, that I have seen at the right price and try padding out. That would have the added bonus of not having to worry about weight fluctuations! With thyroid problems and other things I can’t even remember being a stable weight! Which is the big reason for my hesitation getting one
I got a dress form when I first started dabbling in sewing and I had no idea how to use it. I was always too intimidated to use it, but when I finally did my third sewing project ever (a 1930s inspired floor length gown with a lining for my Halloween costume; my first two projects were pillows so I REALLY jumped in the deep end lol) I found it was super helpful! I’ve named her Manny, y’know, like mannequin 😁 great video, as always!
Mine is called Theresa Arlene. Theresa is my aunt and Arlene was one of my favorite customers. I bought my mannequin at my local Sears department store when it was closing about 8 years ago. High quality and I love it but it is slightly bigger than me but is pretty close to my measurements.
I made mine from chicken wire, paper mache and cotton fabric. I salvage shoulder pads for padding. Styrofoam head attached to hold the body to a salvaged floor lamp stand. I call her Charlotte.
I have two vintage singer mannequins. One is called Ann and the other is Marie. I also have a men’s shop torso name Juaquin. I use them all all of the time. I recently had a sewing project that I had to sew over 60 buttons on a frock coat. It was so handy to put the coat on a mannequin to do all the handwork. Thanks for the tip of not using duck tape. I have always padded my mannequins with quilt batting and was wondering if deck tape would be a good alternative…now I know for sure.
Mine is named Bennie Ruth ,after my grandmother. She taught me to sew and I still miss her ,so now I can "talk " to her when I'm having a problem fitting.
Mine is a Bootstrap form I named Broomhilde. I love her even though she stands in my living room and has a tendency to startle me if I'm walking though when it's dark and I forget she's there...
I do a lot of upcycled clothing (altered couture) to sell at craft fairs so I have several Maniquin one is a size 8/10 Bridgette, another a true Maniquin. Size 10/12 Annette and a better black Maniquin on wheels a size XXL Maxi for Maxi Me as she is slightly larger than my size so I use her when making thing for myself. I love them all. Oh and I also have a slightly wonky 6/8 that I use least often as I seldom make things that small her name is Donkey as she is a wonky donkey. In addition, I also have several metal Maniquin for display at shows as my working girls never leave my sewing studio. Once I started making clothing I really needed a Maniquin because I was always sewing in my undies to keep trying things on.
In the 70's my garandma, who we all called Bab, bought a cardboard maeeequin that she made up to her size. We all called that Cardboard Bab. I now have a mannequin that is plast under the padding I have put on it yo make to my size. She is called Plastic Paula.
My mannequin is a tiny, adjustable, falling apart third-hand one I was given by a friend in my sewing class. She came with the name Kate, for reasons lost to time and ownership changes. I'm using her as a base to put a custom-sized Bootstrap dress form pattern over. Summer project.
I just got my first dress form. I was able to snag it at an estate sale for a steal. She has made life so much easier. Her name is Betty and I love her although she has scared me a time or two in the dark :)
Many years ago I had a Venus that stood in the upstairs bay window, visible from the road. For some reason it reminded my mum of Norman Bate's mother, so she called it "Psycho".
I can't wait to make my own personalized mannequin. I'm too tall therefore my proportions are way different from the standards forms (longer torso, lower boobs, broader shoulders etc), so just the padding wouldn't be an option for me. I got really excited when i saw the bootstrap (not sure if it's written like that) and how personalized they can be. From the "how to make your your dress form" videos that I've watched the bootstrap is the more viable and make excellent results. Thanks for the vid, Evelyn!
I’d argue that you don’t (or shouldn’t) need to of out a custom dress form- it should fit your measurements perfectly straight out of the gate. I made a Bootstrap dress form, plugged in my measurements to their form, then printed out my custom patterns, sewed that, then stuffed it over the top of a cheap secondhand small dress form (I found that easier than trying to make my own insert with pole etc). She is my measurements, there’s no need to pad her out at all. She’s not a starting point, she’s the end point. The same is true of the Beatrice dress forms. They’re very expensive, but it’s a company that takes your measurements (as plotted out by a laser) and then makes a dress form to perfectly match your body. It’s even more accurate than a Bootstrap dress form. But, like I said- super expensive and I’m not sure they ship outside of the US. But Sewstine and Bernadette Banner both have a Beatrice, and I’ve heard they’re exceptionally useful for those who aren’t particularly symmetrical. Then there’s the plaster cast + expanding foam method, which Morgan Donner has a video on, creating hers. It’s time and effort intensive, as well as messy. But you’ll get a form almost as accurate as a Beatrice form. So if you’re padding out an existing dress form, sure, that dress form is just a starting point. But a custom form IS the dress form. Not a starting point at all. I personally love my Bootstrap form, her name is Ms Mildred. She’s very useful for marking hems, as she’s light enough to be popped up onto my table, and exactly my height. Then I can mark a perfect hem, from a sitting position in my wheelchair. I also made her out of very pretty floral fabric, which makes Mildred an art piece all on her own (which is great seeing as it’s basically a copy of my naked body that’s just hanging out in the lounge room!). But having a form that is me, but is also very pretty… it is a massive body confidence boost. Highly recommend using a fabric that is lovely to look at. Also recommend using a secondhand small form on the snide (thanks to Rebecca at Pocket Full of Poseys for that idea). And of course, it is imperative that one gives their dress form a good name! The most important thing of all!
thanks for the vid. I've just bought a mannequin, am in the process of making the adjustments to it. I didn't think I needed one, but after a few failed projects due to poor fit, I decided to find one. Just bought an adjustable on sale from spotlight...so win win! I'll call her Marg , my mothers second name, as she taught me to sew basically just by watching her as a kid!
I've got several mannequins. Two of the adjustable ones that never quite worked for my body shape (hourglass) and the smaller one has recently been decked out with some cosplay armour for my 4 year old daughter to beat the snot out of with a toy sword. My bigger adjustable one is called Mannie Quinn and she's definitely seen better days as I had to essentially break her to get my measurements right. I have two ex-shop mannequins (one male and one female) that I plan to pad out so I can drape things for myself and my husband. They are as yet unnamed but the male form I'm thinking Mannequin Skywalker. One of the best things I can suggest for shop mannequins for the stand is the base of an adjustable office chair. Extra stable, with wheels and easily adjustable. I screwed the top of the chair base to a piece of plywood the shape of the mannequin base. My mannequins had a hole big enough to get my hand in so I drilled some holes and then used bolts and wing nuts to attach the plywood to the mannequin.
I absolutely 💯 ♥ your channel Evelyn! In my mind, I always thought dress forms, were for tailors. Well golly, I have one now, I love it! I have to say, your teaching videos and my new tools have improved my sewing. You are a real blessing thank you!
When I took a sewing course at a college, back in the '80s, our instructor had worked in industry. She was a fantastic teacher...I still can hear her hints and tips in my head! She referred to a fitting mannequin as a "Judy". Our teacher was from Britain originally (teaching us in Canada), so perhaps that is a Brit term?
As a Visually Impaired Person, the mannequin has made a huge difference in my sewing. I call her Polly,after John Henry's wife. I just got a magnifier today that clamps to my sewing table and lets me see my machine and I got to sew just about like everybody else- sitting upright!! I'm just taking a break before I hem my poncho and then put on snaps. My husband surprises me with the most useful things...
I do really want one. I'm sewing my prom dress right now and it would be so much easier, especially the back. The straps of the first prom-like dress I sewed are actually still too long, because after hours of sewing them on, and ripping the seams again, I just could not get them right. But I'm afraid I'll have to wait til Christmas 😕
I made a duct tape mannequin a few months ago. I find it useful and more budget friendly than the other options, specially since I don't sew as often as I would like to. I use it mostly to draft my own patterns. It has crooked shoulders so I guess I'm not as symetrical as I thought 😅 but I try to make my patterns from the higher soulder and it works fine for me.
I wanted one for years finally got one a few years ago and called her Doris!! But then my son moved back home and took my sewing room so haven't used it much.
I have a dress dummy, although I've yet to use her. I've not sewn much since I got my sewing machine a couple of years ago, although I'm changing that now. My own sewing machine that I bought myself got put into storage by mistake, when someone helping me with my last move a year ago packed up the bin I'd stuck my machine into just to put it out of the way for a short time. Then when I went to get it out of storage, I realised that it was waaaay in the back of my storage unit. I'd never be able to get it out without having help. So I just left Esme (my sewing machine, named after Esme Young, of The Great British Sewing Bee) in storage. Sadly, my mom passed away just over a year ago, and my Dad held onto her sewing machine until a couple of months or so ago. Last week I FINALLY got it put into the room I had set aside for my cat and for my crafts, including sewing. Yes, it works for both, and it has to, as I have very little space. I named Mom's machine Betty, after my mom. Anyway, Justina - my dress form - is also in storage, but I'm going to get her out of storage early next week, as I have an extra day off and will be on holidays the following week. Plenty of time for sewing as well as other things. :) My mom's mom (Justina) was an excellent seamstress, and she could sew something just from a description of it or by looking at a photo or something else. So I figured that calling my dress form was a good tribute for her. :) I don't yet know if I have grandma's gift for sewing, but I'm determined to try, and I do love designing and playing around with things. I already do this with my crochet, and I want to carry it over into my sewing. I decided a while ago that the next big sewing purchase I make, whether it's a sewing machine or serger or dress form, or some other large thing that, to me, needs a name, I shall call it Evelyn. :) :)
Useful video, Evelyn! I'm still deciding if a mannequin would be useful for me, as I'm an early intermediate or adventurous beginner. You solved a lot of doubts I had, and I'll use your advice to decide about it. Thanks for sharing. :)
If this is a repeat sorry! I thought I posted…. After viewing the clip, I went online to Amazon and EBay to try to find a vintage body form. I I had been looking every once in a while, but they were always too expensive! So I turned to Craigslist, just to see and there was a post 18 minutes before for one! I was excited, then realized it was about 2 3/4 hours away… but hey - $50 and it was a beautiful drive… $45 in gas! So I sent an email and brought Alice home! Yes, she needs some cleaning, but had been standing alone in a living room for years… I am just thrilled. She is my first and you can see her photo as my profile! :). I am so glad you posted and I saw it when I did. We were destined to be together!
Boy I wish I saw this a few years ago when I finally got rid of my "Dolly" because I could not get her to my size or shape. I tried putting one of my bras on her and stuffing but the bust was in the wrong spot to my waist to my hips.
My dear Evelyn, Thank you yet again for calming my anxiety about my process to sew for my post breast cancer body. I purchased a dritz dress mannequin and turned to you for the "what to do next" I have no name for her yet, but I am sure it will come. I am hoping I can join sewing school soon. Budgeting is still a bit of a dance, but I will make it! Greatful for you and your offerings Pam
Lynn you will find (insert name of your loved Me Mannequin) so much if you pad her up and fill in those gaps! It's all step by step in VSS with everything you need!
@@Evelyn__Wood I’m itching to start it and I joined VSS earlier today! I need to finish some Christmas projects first, so I’m forcing myself not to look at it yet. Haha. Taking bets on how long that will last! I just know there will be so many courses that I will want to take. I 💗 sewing!
I’ve watched a few of your videos but just subscribed tonight. Would you believe I made my own personal pants mannequin. Hubby helped. We wrapped my lower half first in cling wrap and then in packing tape slightly dampened. After it dried we cut it off. It did take me a couple of days to piece it back together. I made one full leg down to my ankle and one just few inches above my knee. Makes it easier to cut off & get out of it. It isn’t my exact measurements but it really helps to see where I need to take it in. I make a muslin and try it on and I can tell if I need to move stitches in or out. Also I just have very hard time at my age trying to pin it on myself. This way I just sit and do fitting on my legs mannequin. Getting back to making it I decoupaged left over fabric on it and then painted it with acrylic paint to seal it. I do need to stuff it again and I am having problems putting it on a stand. It works though.
I have a very old (perhaps 1970's) metal adjustable form that has a dusky pink material covering... so I call her Rosie. I'm so glad I came across this video, as I was wondering what to do with her - I will now be padding her up!
I started using my bootstraps dressform for stepping back to check design, pleat placements, and especially shoulders. Also holds pleats in place until im heady to tack them or baste them all by hand.
I’ve asked for one for Christmas. I’m a all in kind of person so even though I haven’t made much yet I have mountains of fabric and sewing supplies and I’ve asked for a dress form lol
I was lucky and saw a dress form put out to the curb with trash. I knew the people who owned the home and got a hold of one of them and asked if I could take it. So mine was free. It's probably 15-20 years old. It's the adjustable plastic body type with a cloth-like material with a shallow foam backing glued on. The material was starting to crumble and she was covered in leaves and dust. So I blew her off really well with my husband's air compressor, wiped the inside of her off (bye bye cobwebs), glued down some of the attached fabric so it would not bunch with Gorilla Glue, and then got to work. I had left over real cotton batting from when I broke my leg, so I bought a little bit more so I would have enough. My dress form was like a size 6 and I am a 12 in most ways, except my bust which needs a 6" FBA (I am a 38DD) and my upper bust was smaller than even the form would go with the bust extended all the way, so I used a flat shoelace and cinched the upper bust in to my 38" upper bust measurement. The shoe lacing is tucked under my back bra strap and it sits under my bra at the very top of the bra, against her chest (no bump from it) Also, the ratio of her shoulder height as compared to where her breasts sit was way too short, so I cut up plastic gallon milk jugs, using the flatter sides, and stacked cotton batting to the correct height, then put the plastic over it to stabilize the shoulders and it worked great. She is wearing an old bra with a minimal foam cup, to replicate how I will normally wear my clothes (and it made forming the bust easier, because I just stuffed the bra). Now, I just need to make a cover for her, because all that cotton is a fuzzy mess. I want a material that is stretchy, smooth enough to allow project fabric to slide over the cover with only a little effort applied, but not too slippery so things kind of stay put where I place them. I am joining your sewing school and I hope you discuss fabric choices to cover a dress form in the dress form tutorial. I am naming mine Spinster or Spinny for short. The spinning feature is a little too loose and she is constantly moving while I am working. And in reality, she is destined to be a Spinster. You rock, Evelyn!
Mine is named Dorcas! She is a Uniquely You foam dummy, that you sew a cover that exactly fits your body, and then put it onto the dummy. She has been a loyal helper for many years!
Yes i want one! I previously made a duct tape one years ago - with shoulders- not a good idea. Stuffed with newspaper and expandable foam it was stoll quite expensive! Very tiring and not actually true to shape- it depends too much on how enthusiastic your are: tape may be too tight /tape laid crooked/ not tight enough/ uneven. I didnt name it, someone in my mums attic it may still have survived... Im planning to sew one and stuff with cushion foam. Thanks for your video!
I have an adjustable mannequin I bought from Spotlight. I haven’t named her can’t quite think of the right name yet probably because I haven’t used her! Bought some wadding to pad her to my size ages ago but haven’t had the confidence to get started. I’m a member of VSS and think now there is a tutorial I’ll join the monthly challenge. Maybe after Christmas🎄🎄🎄Merry Christmas everyone.
Thank You! Do You hawe anything to say about how to padding up and extend the manequin on the lenght? (I finaly managed to find a realy cheap one on a fleamarket, but it is way, way too smal to fit litterary any woman i know about here neither in width or lenght... i realy don't know wich type of people those ready made cloathes and manequins are made for, must be some type of undiscovered midget pygme people living in a very remote place who request a lot of clothing... not even children can hawe tose re labeled S-size one find everywhere here... ha ha I bought it as a display stand for my vintage wedding dresses, but it had been nice to use it for this purpose as well if it is worth the effort to do anything about it... )
@@bcase5328 Possibly, i am not sure what it is, i got it for 5$ on a local fleamarket, so i should not complain, but all i seen on the regular domestic commercial seem to be about thew same strange scale. But i don't know how to use them since they are too small for children as well and i don't make much little girls dresses (all my siblings kids are boys and my cusins girl has grown up to a tall kid, almost teenager even if she's pretty skinny and no excessive fat she can still not wearing anything near that size anymore, Time fly by... . :) ). At the moment i am using it as a stand for a princess style vintage weddingdress from my collection. At least it seem to work pretty ok as a display manequin whan i set it to the maximum height of the stand. Ha ha I just found it a bit strange since i suppose the womans here are about the same size as anywhere else in the western world as far as i know...
My Dolly is named Myrtle. So I can say to her... Oh Myrtle... it's just fun to say... lol ... say Myrtle in your best Turtle voice... and try not to laugh... I bet you can't! 🤣😂🤣 Myrtle is padded out around the bust with a stuffed turquoise bra... and she's expandable... she's a singer, and she's lovely! Thanks for sharing this... always funny to hear the names of everyone's Dolly... or Myrtle... Or whatever you may call her! ❤🤗🤣
I have an adjustable dress from from the 1940s (at least that’s when I was told it was purchased) that I call Dolores. But she has been in retirement for a few years but I do pull her out on occasion to take photos of garments I make for others.
My me-made mannequin is called Maeve! Did we get a glimpse of the one you thrifted and was trying to dry there when you were padding? I want updates on how that project went! 😅
I remember your Maeve! I did a project in Vintage Sewing School about how to pad a mannequin to your size and shape, it has been a hit with members and now I have mine to my current shape too! 😀
Thank you so much for the video. I'm trying to create one for myself from the many options you discussed. And please get better soonest. Would like to learn from you
My daughter just gave me a mannequin for my Christmas present. I need to do a lot of padding to her and I was wondering how I would do it. I am glad you posted this video.
I have one of the hard plastic ones and hate it. They are such a bad design and a waste of money. I've tried the duct tape. Also a bad idea. We just couldn't get it right and of course you can't pin in to it! I have downloaded the Bootstrap but never got around to making it, although I know most people are super happy with theirs. If I lived in the USA I would get one of the made to measure beatrice forms. They are expensive but I think it would be worth it. Alas, they are only in the USA and Canada.
I started with duct tape to make pattern, then used screen meshing & coat hangers to make my me, I can pin with ruining pins, change covers on it , cost was about $40 Canadian
Love this! I used Bootstrap Fashion to build a pattern for me. It's not perfect, but it did allow for me to stuff you up a bit more to accommodate my COVID weight. My SO name her Mrs Oblong 🤣 it stuck 🤷🏻♀️. It really is helpful to do some quick alterations by yourself.
Early Attic antique adjustable wire dress form is "Delilah" and recently acquired blue Dritz form is "Jezabel. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge as all three of us have benefited greatly.
When I have my own space I would love one! Then I can get into making clothing a lot more relaxed! Currently stressed about trying to make anything other than quilts
My form is called, "Mimi", because the original is "Me" and the duplicate is..."ME-ME", as in Me Part Deux. I just started writing her name on my original patterns (blocks) a few days ago to be clear who it fits. (There are a couple of "Me" fitting adjustments i need that Mimi can't conform to.) So far, working out ok. I sewed for more than 50 years without one, but I'm hard to fit and needed a way to not take a project off and on myself 17 times to adjust it. Mimi is an old wire form that I padded and used an old bra to fill her out.
I was just looking at a second hand adjustable mannequin at the antique market today! I’ve been watching a lot of your videos while I’m teaching myself sewing and told my mom about your thrifting tips so we went looking for patterns and buttons and such today. Unfortunately every mannequin I’ve come across so far is either too big for me or “display only” 💔 Hopefully I’ll find the right one one of these days!
Pinning is a whole lot less painful with a dress form than on myself ;) I'm on my second dress form. This new one is named Abigail...Abby for short. Because she makes me able to fit better :D
Mines called Esmerelda. A duct tape one helped me when I was new to sewing, and it was great fun afternoon with a friend laughing and sticking up my body! years later she's a bit saggy now. One day I'd love to invest in dressmaking model, after using them at TAFE those collapsible shoulders are a game changer!
Very off topic; hope you don't mind! Memory helping tip I use: Am often mending and altering clothes for my family vs sewing things for myself. Along with that am Frequently (!!) interrupted. Have a piece of tape on my machine. I write the needle size I currently have in the machine. Cross it out and write the new size whenever I change the needle. No more using a magnifying glass to look at the tiny numbers or color stripes on the needles! Question: My mom always put a soft piece of fabric between the foot and feed dogs, never leaving the foot in the raised position when done sewing. I do the same. Necessary? Good idea? PS have been learning so much and loving and your videos!!
After years of having none, I now have two Shop Company dress forms: a Size 4 padded up to commercial dress size 12/14 that sits in the corner now I've lost weight, and a Size 0 padded up to 6/8. (Had to start with that due to my short waist and narrow shoulders.) It's a big help for fitting, but not a cure-all. My bust sits much lower than the one on the form, and I have to put one of my old bras on it to get the level right. That works okay for most contemporary clothes, but if I'm fitting historical styles that wouldn't take a bra, its usefulness is minimal. It doesn't squish like I do . . .
I got a shop-mannequin secondhand for €15 and padded her out using shoulder-pads for the bust and hips and a fleece blanket for smaller padding needs. Super cheap and works a charm. She is styrofoam on the inside I think, so also good for pinning. She came with a stand and everything! I call her Laura, because when I was born my parents hadn't decided between Luca and Laura yet, but when they saw me they both thought I was a Luca. Laura is my twin, so I thought it would only be fitting to give her my back-up name XD
If you want to lean more about making great quality garments and how to use a mannequin best, join me online at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/
Hi,
How can I make adjustments if my dress form is too big in the waist and neck?
Mine is named Eileen because she leans slightly to one side
😂
🤣🤣 Oh I just found the middle name for my Dolly then!
😄
😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Lol!
Waltzing Matilda is my mannequin. She’s on rollers, and sometimes when I’m pinning she tries to escape and I feel like we’re dancing across my sewing room floor. She leads, I follow.
Hilarious!
I love it! Haha
lots of funny girls in the comment section!
I just got a dress form earlier this year and I already love it! I padded the form up to my measurements and it's so much easier to mark alterations now! I named her Shakira because her 🎶 hips don't lie 🎶
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Perfect
"You don't need one but will want one" So true. I've been sewing dresses for 15 years. I dont have a manequin but really do want one 😊
48 year here same situation.
I've just been sewing for a month and really wanted one!
Maybe look at the bootstrap diy pattern!
Thank you for this! I'm moving and I can't face parting with my mannequin. I picked her up when a vintage department store went out of business 20 years ago for $10.00 because she was my size and still is. Miracle! I know it's ridiculous, but Gertie is coming with me to my new home, they just don't make padded wooden beauties like her anymore.
Oh absolutely hold onto her!
My first, plus sized mannequin is Gretchen. My post bariatric surgery mannequin is Francesca. I had to start from scratch after losing a person(150lbs).
Yay! 👍 I lost 115 from surgery. Sewing is a must during size changes. 😁
@Angel Keith you go girl!
I have a dress form that I made from a custom pattern from Bootstrap. Entered measurements, etc. And they created the pattern which I printed and sewed. She is the best thing that I have ever had for making clothing for myself. (I had tried the duct tape dress form previously, but it was just so-so.) I draft patterns (Lutterloh system) and then pin the patterns on to see if I need to adjust before cutting out fabric. I also like to take men's shirts and refashion into blouses. Bertha loves to wear the shirts as I cut, snip, tuck and adjust the shirts into new creations. Bertha has brought my sewing game to a whole new level.
Yes I also made a dress form for myself with the bootstrap pattern. It was so fun to make and I just love it.
I have heard the name Bertha many time mannequins actually! I bet she is your best helper!
I’ve got a bootstrap also. It is lovely and very much my shape. My son said good morning the first morning she was finished, thinking it was me in the living room. It’s name is Faye’s Two.
@@Evelyn__Wood better helper than my little doggy who is always by my feet while I’m sewing.
I did this too! I ordered it before the pandemic though and made it during. So the measurements were a little off and her boobs are a bit uneven. It was a pretty easy project though and I'm a slightly experienced newbie. Might take another shot at it see if I can't get her closer. Someone suggested taking your measurements 3 times throughout the day and using the average.
Mine is named Ethel, after the lady referred to in the old song, the Streak. She spends a great deal of her time nekked, so Ethel Hussey.
HAHAHAHA! Great name!
Don't look Ethel!!
I made a Bootstrap custom dress form and I named her “Pinnie📍.” Knowing that I put my dress form together myself makes having it even more special. I used her to drape my very first garment and everything came together so well and I’m a novice 😊. LOL I got so excited when I saw my mockup draped on Pinnie.
I have an old wire one. It splits in half, you put it on and then squeeze the wire to fit you.
My mother used to have one we used a bunch. Unfortunately she sold it at a yard sale several years ago. I would give anything to have that again.
I have one but my toddler uses it more than me. He likes trying to hug or dance with it 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
❤️😂❤️
🤣 Oh that's cute! If you ever see a childs mannequin you must get it for him!
That’s hilarious!!🤣🤣
Aaaaawww how sweet!
I made my dress form with a Bootstrap Fashions pattern to my measurements. It was one of my first sewing projects and it turned out great, no padding required. She’s named Sara, short for Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts.
Mine is called Esther, after my nan. She used to make all the curtains and stuff for the London Paladium
My girl is Cuddles and she was made from the bootstrap pattern. Financially, she is the way to go as long as you have intermediate sewing skills because the pattern is involved. I stuffed her out to suit my general size. It's great because I can strap her into my Victorian corset to help with fitting my costume and then she can expand back out to size to fit modern clothing. My only gripe is that the Bootstrap pattern is quite the eye opener and makes you face your body shape in all its natural glory. Bit of a downer sometimes, but she makes sure there's no room for body shaming! Highly recommend getting one of these.
Mine are all "Olga"... named when my Mum bought me my first dressform. It was a standard size very firm lady covered in black material who felt to the touch exactly like a friend´s black Labrador Olga, a huge, fat, old lady dog who loved to give embraces.
Meanwhile I only use the original Olga to display garments. To work with I prefer her sisters, good old true vintage Flexiform dummies which I can put on like a garment and adjust the wire mesh to my exact bodyshape. Covered up with a tight t-shirt they are rather pinnable and to some extent can be squeezed like my own body. I really love to work with them.
I would love to have one
Saaaame
Yes, I have always wanted one. But, my body keeps changing. I have though of making one using the Duck tape method. But, the real problem is where to store it (when it is not in use). I have got alone for 73 years without one. We don't really need all the things we want. A mannequin is a want not a need.
I find the mannequin very useful. I tried the tape method, but it wasn't good for pinning. Then I tried adjusting a dress, it worked, but I wasn't fully satisfied. So, finally, I modified a corset mannequin pattern that I found free online. my motivation to have one was because I needed to take pictures of clothes, and then, when I made one with my right measurements, I started using it during the sewing prosses.
I even use it to plan my outfits.
Where did you find a mannequin that you can fit a corset onto?
Lol. Never thought to call my mannequin anything. I did make a duct tape one with a pvc pipe stand. It works well for me and it’s very close to my size. Only drawback was when my husband cut me out of the duct tape, he cut through my bra….and it was my favorite. Lol
My duct tape one is great as well.
@@sarahrudd4995 I'm just on reconnaissance here, wanting to find/make one. I'd really like to know WHY she does not recommend the duct tape method. Maybe you need a husband to start, someone to cut you out. That could be hard to find..... I wonder about a duct tape form, then filling it with papier-mache, like a sculptor uses plaster moulds, so ending up with a soft-ish surface.
I bought a store mannequin last year and covered her with a felted wool sweater (with a t-shirt on top) to bring her up to size. She is an older model with magnetic removable arms! I never even thought to name here... must ponder... Thanks for your wonderful videos!
Oh magnetic arms!! What a find, I've never seen that before, it makes perfect sense though!
Maggie Magneta.
I have two. The one for my teenage granddaughters is called Mae. The one for my daughter in law and myself is called Maggie.
I have one of the adjustable ones since I'm such a newbie and want to be sure I keep with sewing before spending on a nicer one. I haven't padded her out yet, but she's within an inch or so of my body measurements so it's still helpful til I get there. I dubbed her Ruthie - since my middle name is Ruth (and it was my grandmother's name - whose tin of sewing supplies came to me when she passed).
😍 Your Ruthie will be even more amazing if your able to fill in those gaps and holes, it will be worth it!
I’ve always wanted one. But as you said it’s a nice to have not a need. Someday if I find one that is the right price or can be easily made. I might look into the much smaller sizes, that I have seen at the right price and try padding out. That would have the added bonus of not having to worry about weight fluctuations! With thyroid problems and other things I can’t even remember being a stable weight! Which is the big reason for my hesitation getting one
I got a dress form when I first started dabbling in sewing and I had no idea how to use it. I was always too intimidated to use it, but when I finally did my third sewing project ever (a 1930s inspired floor length gown with a lining for my Halloween costume; my first two projects were pillows so I REALLY jumped in the deep end lol) I found it was super helpful! I’ve named her Manny, y’know, like mannequin 😁 great video, as always!
He he, I like Manny!
I like your style - you just go right on in. Love that courage and determination. Thanks for reminding me to not overthink things
Mine is called Theresa Arlene. Theresa is my aunt and Arlene was one of my favorite customers. I bought my mannequin at my local Sears department store when it was closing about 8 years ago. High quality and I love it but it is slightly bigger than me but is pretty close to my measurements.
I am in USA..and I love you! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement ...thank you for your tutorials !!!
I made mine from chicken wire, paper mache and cotton fabric. I salvage shoulder pads for padding. Styrofoam head attached to hold the body to a salvaged floor lamp stand. I call her Charlotte.
Oh very creative!
She's on a light pole? Name her Char-light lol
Very tempted to try and pad up my shop mannequin - she could finally have a use and save me some cash
my mannequin is Ms. Sunshine, because it fills my heart with joy when I have the chance to sew.
😍😍
I got one when I made my daughters formal dress. It was a huge ballroom gown. It was invaluable, but I haven't used it since.
I have two vintage singer mannequins. One is called Ann and the other is Marie. I also have a men’s shop torso name Juaquin. I use them all all of the time. I recently had a sewing project that I had to sew over 60 buttons on a frock coat. It was so handy to put the coat on a mannequin to do all the handwork. Thanks for the tip of not using duck tape. I have always padded my mannequins with quilt batting and was wondering if deck tape would be a good alternative…now I know for sure.
Mine is named Bennie Ruth ,after my grandmother. She taught me to sew and I still miss her ,so now I can "talk " to her when I'm having a problem fitting.
Mine is a Bootstrap form I named Broomhilde. I love her even though she stands in my living room and has a tendency to startle me if I'm walking though when it's dark and I forget she's there...
I'm glad I'm not the only one to be scared by their own creation.
I do a lot of upcycled clothing (altered couture) to sell at craft fairs so I have several Maniquin one is a size 8/10 Bridgette, another a true Maniquin. Size 10/12 Annette and a better black Maniquin on wheels a size XXL Maxi for Maxi Me as she is slightly larger than my size so I use her when making thing for myself. I love them all. Oh and I also have a slightly wonky 6/8 that I use least often as I seldom make things that small her name is Donkey as she is a wonky donkey. In addition, I also have several metal Maniquin for display at shows as my working girls never leave my sewing studio. Once I started making clothing I really needed a Maniquin because I was always sewing in my undies to keep trying things on.
Reading the names are so interesting. In college, we called all of our mannequins Judy, so that's what I still refer to them as.
In the 70's my garandma, who we all called Bab, bought a cardboard maeeequin that she made up to her size. We all called that Cardboard Bab.
I now have a mannequin that is plast under the padding I have put on it yo make to my size. She is called Plastic Paula.
Mine’s called Gloria! (And I haven’t used her as much as I thought I would!)
Mine is named Eunice. We are great friends.
My mannequin is a tiny, adjustable, falling apart third-hand one I was given by a friend in my sewing class. She came with the name Kate, for reasons lost to time and ownership changes. I'm using her as a base to put a custom-sized Bootstrap dress form pattern over. Summer project.
I just got my first dress form. I was able to snag it at an estate sale for a steal. She has made life so much easier. Her name is Betty and I love her although she has scared me a time or two in the dark :)
I have an adjustable one that I've had for years. But, I've gained a few sizes, and never thought about padding it. New project.
Many years ago I had a Venus that stood in the upstairs bay window, visible from the road. For some reason it reminded my mum of Norman Bate's mother, so she called it "Psycho".
😂
I can't wait to make my own personalized mannequin. I'm too tall therefore my proportions are way different from the standards forms (longer torso, lower boobs, broader shoulders etc), so just the padding wouldn't be an option for me. I got really excited when i saw the bootstrap (not sure if it's written like that) and how personalized they can be. From the "how to make your your dress form" videos that I've watched the bootstrap is the more viable and make excellent results. Thanks for the vid, Evelyn!
I am tall and broad shoulder and I didn’t even think about the torso length issue whew
I’d argue that you don’t (or shouldn’t) need to of out a custom dress form- it should fit your measurements perfectly straight out of the gate.
I made a Bootstrap dress form, plugged in my measurements to their form, then printed out my custom patterns, sewed that, then stuffed it over the top of a cheap secondhand small dress form (I found that easier than trying to make my own insert with pole etc). She is my measurements, there’s no need to pad her out at all. She’s not a starting point, she’s the end point.
The same is true of the Beatrice dress forms. They’re very expensive, but it’s a company that takes your measurements (as plotted out by a laser) and then makes a dress form to perfectly match your body. It’s even more accurate than a Bootstrap dress form. But, like I said- super expensive and I’m not sure they ship outside of the US. But Sewstine and Bernadette Banner both have a Beatrice, and I’ve heard they’re exceptionally useful for those who aren’t particularly symmetrical.
Then there’s the plaster cast + expanding foam method, which Morgan Donner has a video on, creating hers. It’s time and effort intensive, as well as messy. But you’ll get a form almost as accurate as a Beatrice form.
So if you’re padding out an existing dress form, sure, that dress form is just a starting point. But a custom form IS the dress form. Not a starting point at all. I personally love my Bootstrap form, her name is Ms Mildred. She’s very useful for marking hems, as she’s light enough to be popped up onto my table, and exactly my height. Then I can mark a perfect hem, from a sitting position in my wheelchair.
I also made her out of very pretty floral fabric, which makes Mildred an art piece all on her own (which is great seeing as it’s basically a copy of my naked body that’s just hanging out in the lounge room!). But having a form that is me, but is also very pretty… it is a massive body confidence boost. Highly recommend using a fabric that is lovely to look at. Also recommend using a secondhand small form on the snide (thanks to Rebecca at Pocket Full of Poseys for that idea). And of course, it is imperative that one gives their dress form a good name! The most important thing of all!
Fantastic info, thank you from a fairly new stitchling. My adjustable mannequin is called Bathsheba 🥰
thanks for the vid. I've just bought a mannequin, am in the process of making the adjustments to it. I didn't think I needed one, but after a few failed projects due to poor fit, I decided to find one. Just bought an adjustable on sale from spotlight...so win win! I'll call her Marg , my mothers second name, as she taught me to sew basically just by watching her as a kid!
I've got several mannequins. Two of the adjustable ones that never quite worked for my body shape (hourglass) and the smaller one has recently been decked out with some cosplay armour for my 4 year old daughter to beat the snot out of with a toy sword.
My bigger adjustable one is called Mannie Quinn and she's definitely seen better days as I had to essentially break her to get my measurements right.
I have two ex-shop mannequins (one male and one female) that I plan to pad out so I can drape things for myself and my husband. They are as yet unnamed but the male form I'm thinking Mannequin Skywalker.
One of the best things I can suggest for shop mannequins for the stand is the base of an adjustable office chair. Extra stable, with wheels and easily adjustable. I screwed the top of the chair base to a piece of plywood the shape of the mannequin base. My mannequins had a hole big enough to get my hand in so I drilled some holes and then used bolts and wing nuts to attach the plywood to the mannequin.
I absolutely 💯 ♥ your channel Evelyn! In my mind, I always thought dress forms, were for tailors. Well golly, I have one now, I love it! I have to say, your teaching videos and my new tools have improved my sewing. You are a real blessing thank you!
When I took a sewing course at a college, back in the '80s, our instructor had worked in industry. She was a fantastic teacher...I still can hear her hints and tips in my head! She referred to a fitting mannequin as a "Judy". Our teacher was from Britain originally (teaching us in Canada), so perhaps that is a Brit term?
Haha... I also had a British teacher 10+ years ago call her mannequin Judy 😅Maybe it's a British thing?
I also call mine Judy….. also from my sewing teacher! Must be a British term!
As a Visually Impaired Person, the mannequin has made a huge difference in my sewing. I call her Polly,after John Henry's wife. I just got a magnifier today that clamps to my sewing table and lets me see my machine and I got to sew just about like everybody else- sitting upright!! I'm just taking a break before I hem my poncho and then put on snaps. My husband surprises me with the most useful things...
I call mine "Dummy" 😄 But I like her, a Christmas present from my hubby many years ago. Love the cheerful video, thank-you!
I do really want one. I'm sewing my prom dress right now and it would be so much easier, especially the back.
The straps of the first prom-like dress I sewed are actually still too long, because after hours of sewing them on, and ripping the seams again, I just could not get them right. But I'm afraid I'll have to wait til Christmas 😕
I made a duct tape mannequin a few months ago. I find it useful and more budget friendly than the other options, specially since I don't sew as often as I would like to. I use it mostly to draft my own patterns. It has crooked shoulders so I guess I'm not as symetrical as I thought 😅 but I try to make my patterns from the higher soulder and it works fine for me.
I absolutely love your new hairstyle!❤️👍
I wanted one for years finally got one a few years ago and called her Doris!! But then my son moved back home and took my sewing room so haven't used it much.
I have a dress dummy, although I've yet to use her. I've not sewn much since I got my sewing machine a couple of years ago, although I'm changing that now. My own sewing machine that I bought myself got put into storage by mistake, when someone helping me with my last move a year ago packed up the bin I'd stuck my machine into just to put it out of the way for a short time. Then when I went to get it out of storage, I realised that it was waaaay in the back of my storage unit. I'd never be able to get it out without having help. So I just left Esme (my sewing machine, named after Esme Young, of The Great British Sewing Bee) in storage.
Sadly, my mom passed away just over a year ago, and my Dad held onto her sewing machine until a couple of months or so ago. Last week I FINALLY got it put into the room I had set aside for my cat and for my crafts, including sewing. Yes, it works for both, and it has to, as I have very little space. I named Mom's machine Betty, after my mom.
Anyway, Justina - my dress form - is also in storage, but I'm going to get her out of storage early next week, as I have an extra day off and will be on holidays the following week. Plenty of time for sewing as well as other things. :)
My mom's mom (Justina) was an excellent seamstress, and she could sew something just from a description of it or by looking at a photo or something else. So I figured that calling my dress form was a good tribute for her. :)
I don't yet know if I have grandma's gift for sewing, but I'm determined to try, and I do love designing and playing around with things. I already do this with my crochet, and I want to carry it over into my sewing.
I decided a while ago that the next big sewing purchase I make, whether it's a sewing machine or serger or dress form, or some other large thing that, to me, needs a name, I shall call it Evelyn. :) :)
Useful video, Evelyn! I'm still deciding if a mannequin would be useful for me, as I'm an early intermediate or adventurous beginner. You solved a lot of doubts I had, and I'll use your advice to decide about it. Thanks for sharing. :)
I'm glad to hear that 😀
If this is a repeat sorry! I thought I posted…. After viewing the clip, I went online to Amazon and EBay to try to find a vintage body form. I I had been looking every once in a while, but they were always too expensive! So I turned to Craigslist, just to see and there was a post 18 minutes before for one! I was excited, then realized it was about 2 3/4 hours away… but hey - $50 and it was a beautiful drive… $45 in gas! So I sent an email and brought Alice home! Yes, she needs some cleaning, but had been standing alone in a living room for years… I am just thrilled. She is my first and you can see her photo as my profile! :). I am so glad you posted and I saw it when I did. We were destined to be together!
Boy I wish I saw this a few years ago when I finally got rid of my "Dolly" because I could not get her to my size or shape. I tried putting one of my bras on her and stuffing but the bust was in the wrong spot to my waist to my hips.
Oh no! Marilyn I have a step by step class on how to do this in Vintage Sewing School if your interested to try again 😀
My dear Evelyn,
Thank you yet again for calming my anxiety about my process to sew for my post breast cancer body. I purchased a dritz dress mannequin and turned to you for the "what to do next" I have no name for her yet, but I am sure it will come. I am hoping I can join sewing school soon. Budgeting is still a bit of a dance, but I will make it! Greatful for you and your offerings
Pam
Miss G....she is a wonderful....she picks up my slack....I've had her for several years....
I’m in for your course! I have one of the expandable mannequins but have never padded it-or named it! Horrors! Thanks, Evelyn!
Lynn you will find (insert name of your loved Me Mannequin) so much if you pad her up and fill in those gaps! It's all step by step in VSS with everything you need!
@@Evelyn__Wood I’m itching to start it and I joined VSS earlier today! I need to finish some Christmas projects first, so I’m forcing myself not to look at it yet. Haha. Taking bets on how long that will last! I just know there will be so many courses that I will want to take. I 💗 sewing!
You are a mind reader! I have been wondering just this thing!
I’ve watched a few of your videos but just subscribed tonight. Would you believe I made my own personal pants mannequin. Hubby helped. We wrapped my lower half first in cling wrap and then in packing tape slightly dampened. After it dried we cut it off. It did take me a couple of days to piece it back together. I made one full leg down to my ankle and one just few inches above my knee. Makes it easier to cut off & get out of it. It isn’t my exact measurements but it really helps to see where I need to take it in. I make a muslin and try it on and I can tell if I need to move stitches in or out. Also I just have very hard time at my age trying to pin it on myself. This way I just sit and do fitting on my legs mannequin. Getting back to making it I decoupaged left over fabric on it and then painted it with acrylic paint to seal it. I do need to stuff it again and I am having problems putting it on a stand. It works though.
I have a very old (perhaps 1970's) metal adjustable form that has a dusky pink material covering... so I call her Rosie. I'm so glad I came across this video, as I was wondering what to do with her - I will now be padding her up!
I started using my bootstraps dressform for stepping back to check design, pleat placements, and especially shoulders. Also holds pleats in place until im heady to tack them or baste them all by hand.
I’ve asked for one for Christmas. I’m a all in kind of person so even though I haven’t made much yet I have mountains of fabric and sewing supplies and I’ve asked for a dress form lol
Finally! I am the same. I haven't sewn an awful lot but I have all the tools and plenty of fabric.. Thought I was alone in this. Nice to meet ya.
I was lucky and saw a dress form put out to the curb with trash. I knew the people who owned the home and got a hold of one of them and asked if I could take it. So mine was free. It's probably 15-20 years old. It's the adjustable plastic body type with a cloth-like material with a shallow foam backing glued on. The material was starting to crumble and she was covered in leaves and dust. So I blew her off really well with my husband's air compressor, wiped the inside of her off (bye bye cobwebs), glued down some of the attached fabric so it would not bunch with Gorilla Glue, and then got to work.
I had left over real cotton batting from when I broke my leg, so I bought a little bit more so I would have enough. My dress form was like a size 6 and I am a 12 in most ways, except my bust which needs a 6" FBA (I am a 38DD) and my upper bust was smaller than even the form would go with the bust extended all the way, so I used a flat shoelace and cinched the upper bust in to my 38" upper bust measurement. The shoe lacing is tucked under my back bra strap and it sits under my bra at the very top of the bra, against her chest (no bump from it) Also, the ratio of her shoulder height as compared to where her breasts sit was way too short, so I cut up plastic gallon milk jugs, using the flatter sides, and stacked cotton batting to the correct height, then put the plastic over it to stabilize the shoulders and it worked great. She is wearing an old bra with a minimal foam cup, to replicate how I will normally wear my clothes (and it made forming the bust easier, because I just stuffed the bra).
Now, I just need to make a cover for her, because all that cotton is a fuzzy mess. I want a material that is stretchy, smooth enough to allow project fabric to slide over the cover with only a little effort applied, but not too slippery so things kind of stay put where I place them. I am joining your sewing school and I hope you discuss fabric choices to cover a dress form in the dress form tutorial. I am naming mine Spinster or Spinny for short. The spinning feature is a little too loose and she is constantly moving while I am working. And in reality, she is destined to be a Spinster.
You rock, Evelyn!
Mine is named Dorcas! She is a Uniquely You foam dummy, that you sew a cover that exactly fits your body, and then put it onto the dummy. She has been a loyal helper for many years!
I purchased a red form just today (like the one featured in your video) from a lovely lady called Pam....so Pam she is. 😊
Yes i want one! I previously made a duct tape one years ago - with shoulders- not a good idea. Stuffed with newspaper and expandable foam it was stoll quite expensive! Very tiring and not actually true to shape- it depends too much on how enthusiastic your are: tape may be too tight /tape laid crooked/ not tight enough/ uneven. I didnt name it, someone in my mums attic it may still have survived...
Im planning to sew one and stuff with cushion foam. Thanks for your video!
I have an adjustable mannequin I bought from Spotlight. I haven’t named her can’t quite think of the right name yet probably because I haven’t used her! Bought some wadding to pad her to my size ages ago but haven’t had the confidence to get started. I’m a member of VSS and think now there is a tutorial I’ll join the monthly challenge. Maybe after Christmas🎄🎄🎄Merry Christmas everyone.
Yes there is Sue! A step by step guide on how to know where to put all the padding is in VSS now waiting for you! 😀
Thank You!
Do You hawe anything to say about how to padding up and extend the manequin on the lenght?
(I finaly managed to find a realy cheap one on a fleamarket, but it is way, way too smal to fit litterary any woman i know about here neither in width or lenght... i realy don't know wich type of people those ready made cloathes and manequins are made for, must be some type of undiscovered midget pygme people living in a very remote place who request a lot of clothing... not even children can hawe tose re labeled S-size one find everywhere here... ha ha I bought it as a display stand for my vintage wedding dresses, but it had been nice to use it for this purpose as well if it is worth the effort to do anything about it... )
It sounds like a Half scale dress form.
@@bcase5328 Possibly, i am not sure what it is, i got it for 5$ on a local fleamarket, so i should not complain, but all i seen on the regular domestic commercial seem to be about thew same strange scale. But i don't know how to use them since they are too small for children as well and i don't make much little girls dresses (all my siblings kids are boys and my cusins girl has grown up to a tall kid, almost teenager even if she's pretty skinny and no excessive fat she can still not wearing anything near that size anymore, Time fly by... . :) ).
At the moment i am using it as a stand for a princess style vintage weddingdress from my collection. At least it seem to work pretty ok as a display manequin whan i set it to the maximum height of the stand. Ha ha
I just found it a bit strange since i suppose the womans here are about the same size as anywhere else in the western world as far as i know...
I like your channel I learn a lot from your accountant please keep doing it you’re the best
Thank you for this. Just getting back into sewing.
My Dolly is named Myrtle. So I can say to her... Oh Myrtle... it's just fun to say... lol ... say Myrtle in your best Turtle voice... and try not to laugh... I bet you can't! 🤣😂🤣 Myrtle is padded out around the bust with a stuffed turquoise bra... and she's expandable... she's a singer, and she's lovely! Thanks for sharing this... always funny to hear the names of everyone's Dolly... or Myrtle... Or whatever you may call her! ❤🤗🤣
I have an adjustable dress from from the 1940s (at least that’s when I was told it was purchased) that I call Dolores. But she has been in retirement for a few years but I do pull her out on occasion to take photos of garments I make for others.
My me-made mannequin is called Maeve! Did we get a glimpse of the one you thrifted and was trying to dry there when you were padding? I want updates on how that project went! 😅
I remember your Maeve! I did a project in Vintage Sewing School about how to pad a mannequin to your size and shape, it has been a hit with members and now I have mine to my current shape too! 😀
@@Evelyn__Wood That’s fantastic! 😍 I am not surprised it was a hit!
My grandmother had a dress form she called Mertyll I have adopted that name for mine!
Thank you so much for the video. I'm trying to create one for myself from the many options you discussed. And please get better soonest. Would like to learn from you
My daughter just gave me a mannequin for my Christmas present. I need to do a lot of padding to her and I was wondering how I would do it. I am glad you posted this video.
Every single one of your tutorials are just BRILLIANT!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, for sharing your vast wealth of knowledge with us.
Beryl is the name of my adjustable dummy. Would feel lost without her.
I have one of the hard plastic ones and hate it. They are such a bad design and a waste of money. I've tried the duct tape. Also a bad idea. We just couldn't get it right and of course you can't pin in to it! I have downloaded the Bootstrap but never got around to making it, although I know most people are super happy with theirs.
If I lived in the USA I would get one of the made to measure beatrice forms. They are expensive but I think it would be worth it. Alas, they are only in the USA and Canada.
When she has time I'm going to use my daughter as a manikin, we're the same size,I just need to allow for gravity,😂
I started with duct tape to make pattern, then used screen meshing & coat hangers to make my me, I can pin with ruining pins, change covers on it , cost was about $40 Canadian
I like your new hair. I have a mannequin but I still find it very difficult to re-size her to fit me.:-(
Love this! I used Bootstrap Fashion to build a pattern for me. It's not perfect, but it did allow for me to stuff you up a bit more to accommodate my COVID weight. My SO name her Mrs Oblong 🤣 it stuck 🤷🏻♀️. It really is helpful to do some quick alterations by yourself.
Early Attic antique adjustable wire dress form is "Delilah" and recently acquired blue Dritz form is "Jezabel. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge as all three of us have benefited greatly.
Mine’s named Chlöe lol She never answers back and is a really good listener!! Mims
When I have my own space I would love one! Then I can get into making clothing a lot more relaxed! Currently stressed about trying to make anything other than quilts
My form is called, "Mimi", because the original is "Me" and the duplicate is..."ME-ME", as in Me Part Deux. I just started writing her name on my original patterns (blocks) a few days ago to be clear who it fits. (There are a couple of "Me" fitting adjustments i need that Mimi can't conform to.) So far, working out ok. I sewed for more than 50 years without one, but I'm hard to fit and needed a way to not take a project off and on myself 17 times to adjust it. Mimi is an old wire form that I padded and used an old bra to fill her out.
I was just looking at a second hand adjustable mannequin at the antique market today! I’ve been watching a lot of your videos while I’m teaching myself sewing and told my mom about your thrifting tips so we went looking for patterns and buttons and such today. Unfortunately every mannequin I’ve come across so far is either too big for me or “display only” 💔 Hopefully I’ll find the right one one of these days!
Pinning is a whole lot less painful with a dress form than on myself ;) I'm on my second dress form. This new one is named Abigail...Abby for short. Because she makes me able to fit better :D
Mines called Esmerelda. A duct tape one helped me when I was new to sewing, and it was great fun afternoon with a friend laughing and sticking up my body! years later she's a bit saggy now. One day I'd love to invest in dressmaking model, after using them at TAFE those collapsible shoulders are a game changer!
Very off topic; hope you don't mind! Memory helping tip I use: Am often mending and altering clothes for my family vs sewing things for myself. Along with that am Frequently (!!) interrupted. Have a piece of tape on my machine. I write the needle size I currently have in the machine. Cross it out and write the new size whenever I change the needle. No more using a magnifying glass to look at the tiny numbers or color stripes on the needles!
Question: My mom always put a soft piece of fabric between the foot and feed dogs, never leaving the foot in the raised position when done sewing. I do the same. Necessary? Good idea?
PS have been learning so much and loving and your videos!!
After years of having none, I now have two Shop Company dress forms: a Size 4 padded up to commercial dress size 12/14 that sits in the corner now I've lost weight, and a Size 0 padded up to 6/8. (Had to start with that due to my short waist and narrow shoulders.) It's a big help for fitting, but not a cure-all. My bust sits much lower than the one on the form, and I have to put one of my old bras on it to get the level right. That works okay for most contemporary clothes, but if I'm fitting historical styles that wouldn't take a bra, its usefulness is minimal. It doesn't squish like I do . . .
Ooh, I like your new hairdo!
I can't wait to watch this video!
Velma. Because her predecessor was Duct-Tape Daphne.
I got a shop-mannequin secondhand for €15 and padded her out using shoulder-pads for the bust and hips and a fleece blanket for smaller padding needs. Super cheap and works a charm. She is styrofoam on the inside I think, so also good for pinning. She came with a stand and everything! I call her Laura, because when I was born my parents hadn't decided between Luca and Laura yet, but when they saw me they both thought I was a Luca. Laura is my twin, so I thought it would only be fitting to give her my back-up name XD