Well that was interesting. We inherited my husband's grandmother's made-to-measure dressform that she had made when she was young, and it had been padded out, as she aged and changed shape, with all manner of things, including old towels and tights, all sewn to the original cover-fabric with sturdy stitches. The pads and stretch covers you used look so much simpler and easier. I checked - Yes, they are still being sold.
It sounds like it was a good option for a more permanent solution. Between my body changing a lot over the last few years (at one point, this dress form even had a padded baby bump!) and client work, it's a bit easier for me to be able to change it out quickly. I give your grandmother-in-law a lot of credit for her patience and ingenuity! I wouldn't have thought to use old towels and tights!
@@HattoHem Well, she was doing this in the pre and post war years so pre-made pads woouldn't have been available. They took forever to unpick but "green Granny" has been a good addition to our sewing room. I must try to pad up my own male dressform since it's now way, way, way smaller than I am (and it used to be a spot-on-perfect-fit when I first got it)
That’s such a great idea. I had no idea that there were aids available to help customize a dress form. Makes sense considering how different everyone is even with similar measurements. Thanks for the info
I honestly can't remember what made me look this up. It might have just been under "other products you might like" or something like that. Still, it was a good find!
Thank you I enjoyed this video so much. I don't own one so I really didn't have no idea where I would began, but with your video, maybe I can decide to buy one. I had so much fun watching you ,Thanks again❤❤❤
Thanks great info. I also learned that you should measure half front and back, this way your waist is more oval. I did it and crazy my dress form really did well. I also used old socks under the form.
You are so lovely. I love the way you talk about your own body. You really do get to know your own body by doing this. I just tried to make my dress form better, but it went bad, so I will try your way. It looks better.
What perfect timing! I just received my new dress form yesterday and definitely need to pad out for my measurements….I was planning on using batting but these pads look so much easier! Thank!
Thank you Malissa!!! This is going to be so helpful. I don’t know what I was thinking that I would be able to make my costume without a dress form. Now I can get things going. 😁
Thank you so much. I'm late to see the video I like to watch when I'm off work but got called in yesterday lol This is really a great idea. I have seen smaller dressforms second hand but never thought of doing this. Bootstrap just is not something I mentally want or need to tackle for the foreseeable future. This is quite good. Thank you again.
It's okay, I'm late replying ;P I'm really glad you still take time to watch my videos! I know this one was a bit on the long side, especially for a video that didn't involve any sewing. I looked at some of the bootstrap videos that were being put up and realized pretty quickly that that wasn't for me. I hope this helps you if you decide to give this method a try!
You sweet sweet lady you have just made me feel so much better. I am so fed up seeing these beautiful and expensive dress forms. I have hidden a dress mannequin, well using it for coats. 😂😂😂. Just started padding the dress from and you're right you definitely need to have patience with it. It is not looking like my beautiful body yet, but I vision the end result. Thank you for sharing this was a huge help.❤
This is such a great idea! For duct taping, rather than sacrifice a shirt, I would probably find something in a thrift store. But, most folks I know use plastic wrap, or a garbage bag, over the thin layer of clothing they'd want to wear to make duct tape. (I think there's lots of videos showing variations of this.) My alternate to duct tape would be to get some sort of stretchable material, like a Jersey, at a thrift store, and make a sort of tube that goes over the dress form, then, use loungewear or housework clothing (which is ok to wrinkle), and stuff the curves into the tube with rolled or semi folded clothes, or an old towel or bedsheet or something.
Thank you for demystifying the padding process so clearly, without hurry or skipping. Had been skeptical of Fabulous Fit, but it worked well...and made good sense! Yay: now the Dritz form will work better. BTW, loved how you kept things positive and forthright. Ciao!
Maybe if we were to put the clothe on first pin it the place the padding and pin it into place. I would probley put a top on that I wear a lot and see if it looked like what I see in the mirror. Your looked very nice, I can't wait to fix mine. Thank you.
This was so wholesome and positive and full of genuinely great tips! Also: now that you redid the one built-in bookcase, have you thought about doing a video sharing your sewing books?
I'm so glad you liked it! Hmm. I guess I could! I would feel like a bit of a phony though since I don't think there's a single one I ready cover to cover. I usually pick and choose the relative parts by project and a good chunk of the rest of the books were gifts. 😅
I would go as close to your measurements as possible without exceeding them and then pad it out from there. I hope this works for you if you decide to try it!
This is a great tutorial! I’m thinking that using an old body suit as the first sleeve and using foam padding from old bras and scraps might work. If not then I will most certainly purchase one of the systems you referenced. Thanks for your infectious positive attitude 🤗
Everyone should check that their measuring tape is accurate. The most accurate measuring is the metal, corked backed ruler by Westcott. Check 0 to 1; 0 to 5; 0 to 17…. Then pick a random measurement….say 36 inches… I use blue painters tape on the floor. Then mark the measurement from your tape then compare with the ruler. For the duct tape, wrap yourself in plastic wrap prior
Nice! I'm mid-padding out a dressform, and I had the similar idea to make little shaped pillows for the biggest parts since it was taking forever just layering batting and the shapes weren't looking right. Basically I've finished a tummy pad and in progress on a bum pad. But this looks so much easier! I agree with your comments about the process taking a while and looking weird. I'm trying to think of it like a sculpture with references. Oh I'm also using a phone app that has 'double exposure' (I'm using Pixlr but whatever will work.) I'm taking pics side by side of me and the form at the same distance/angle from a mirror. Then I layer the same pic at the same size but with half opacity and overlap myself and the form to see which parts still need proportions adjusted. Sliding the opacity up and down is useful to see where we don't line up. I did side, front and back angles. It's harder to see some spots like chest hollows under the shoulders because that's a bit blocked by arms etc. But it helps for broad shapes.
Making pads for the area that need more alteration is probably a good choice if you're going to switch out the padding. It would make repadding the dress form go a lot more quickly! (This video took an hour to film, though that includes narration and body positivity ramblings.) The double exposure app is genius! I never thought to do that!
@@HattoHem Not gonna lie, I am 51 years old and I watched you and listened to you and cried. Hello menopause, good bye figure. But honestly, life long body image issues anyway. You youngsters are teaching us older ones so much that is positive. God bless you lovely lady. 🙏😭💖💕
@@thecalicoheart7946 I'm so happy that this video spoke to you on such a deep level! I'm sorry that you've been struggling, but I hope you're able to view yourself differently. Your body has taken you this far and there's strength and beauty in that.
@@HattoHem You are right and I have been those very things myself, funnily enough. Bless you for replying and for your kindness when you are obviously so busy. We need more people in the world like you. Good luck to you lovely lady. 💝XXX
Hi, this was really useful information, if someone is unsure they have the correct padding how about dressing the manikin in one of their outfits and then photographing the manikin and repeating the process on themselves?.💝
I had no idea you could get pads like this! I used cotton wadding and a felting needle to pad mine but got bored partway through because it took ages to get parts secure and at the right measurements 😕
Oh geez, I can definitely see how that could be frustrating. Customized padding is probably a good choice if you're going to be switching out the pads often HOWEVER if you know you aren't going to finish the custom padding (because it sounds pretty tedious) then it's probably better to do something simpler. "Finished" is better than "perfect," right?
I'm really sorry, but I don't feel qualified to give advice on those topics and I wouldn't want to suggest anything that could have an adverse effect, especially if it involves toxic positivity. It might help to speak to a therapist or community group and seeing if they have suggestions? I really hope you don't think I'm being evasive. I care about your mental health which is why I don't want to suggest the wrong thing. I do hope things get better though.
@@HattoHem you are welcome I also reported it, as someone suggested ea. But, I figured if it was something vile, you could actually eject or block them (from the channel). But, since they got two reports, maybe they are gone now
It DEFINITELY helps to start with a dress form that's closer to your size. This one is one I bought during my pre-pregnancy days so things have changed a bit, but I don't have the space for a third dress form. (The other one I have is usually padded out for clients.)
The dress form in this one is secretly named "Marie" and my other, older one is named "Anne." It's a bit in bad taste, but it was the only thing I could think of.
So am I! You could go the heroine route with Elizabeth, Elinor, Marianne, etc. Or, since you're going to be sticking pins in the dress form, you could name it Lucy, Augusta, or Caroline ;P
@@HattoHem don't think of that, cool. Name it after someone that piss me off 😆. I love you videos always look forward to them. I know your busy, would it be OK to be sewing buddies? How's maisy?
@Louise Ruffles I'm so sorry! RUclips doesn't notify me for comments beyond the first one (which is really annoying. How is that not a feature?) I love the idea of naming it after someone who pisses you off! As I tell my husband all the time, "I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me" 😂 We can definitely be sewing buddies! Let me know how your work is going! This is a spoiler for future videos, but I finished the Danielle dress and I'm pretty happy with it. The progress posts and pictures from the Ren Faire are only on my patreon for now though. The progress video is going to be in two parts. I'm about halfway finished editing the first one. It's already ten minutes long! Maisie is doing great! She and the baby are best friends. She's so patient with him and he adores her. She taught him how to use big brown eyes to beg for food and now most of my snacks are split three ways 😂
Love your natural approach. You explained the process without getting hung up on "rules" that left me believing that I can do this too. Thank you!
Thankyou for being you 💓 it's lovely to see another human not only accepting others for who they are but also their self, stay beautiful xxx
You are the sweetest thing! Thank you for an excellent tutorial. Blessings.
Aww thank you so much! ☺️
Well that was interesting.
We inherited my husband's grandmother's made-to-measure dressform that she had made when she was young, and it had been padded out, as she aged and changed shape, with all manner of things, including old towels and tights, all sewn to the original cover-fabric with sturdy stitches.
The pads and stretch covers you used look so much simpler and easier. I checked - Yes, they are still being sold.
It sounds like it was a good option for a more permanent solution. Between my body changing a lot over the last few years (at one point, this dress form even had a padded baby bump!) and client work, it's a bit easier for me to be able to change it out quickly. I give your grandmother-in-law a lot of credit for her patience and ingenuity! I wouldn't have thought to use old towels and tights!
@@HattoHem Well, she was doing this in the pre and post war years so pre-made pads woouldn't have been available. They took forever to unpick but "green Granny" has been a good addition to our sewing room. I must try to pad up my own male dressform since it's now way, way, way smaller than I am (and it used to be a spot-on-perfect-fit when I first got it)
That’s such a great idea. I had no idea that there were aids available to help customize a dress form. Makes sense considering how different everyone is even with similar measurements. Thanks for the info
I honestly can't remember what made me look this up. It might have just been under "other products you might like" or something like that. Still, it was a good find!
Thank you I enjoyed this video so much. I don't own one so I really didn't have no idea where I would began, but with your video, maybe I can decide to buy one. I had so much fun watching you ,Thanks again❤❤❤
Thank you, so much! This was a very helpful tutorial.
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks great info. I also learned that you should measure half front and back, this way your waist is more oval. I did it and crazy my dress form really did well.
I also used old socks under the form.
This is so great!
Aww thank you!
You are so lovely. I love the way you talk about your own body. You really do get to know your own body by doing this. I just tried to make my dress form better, but it went bad, so I will try your way. It looks better.
Thank you so much! I had a baby a year ago and it's taken some time for me to get used to my new body. I hope this method helps you!
What perfect timing! I just received my new dress form yesterday and definitely need to pad out for my measurements….I was planning on using batting but these pads look so much easier! Thank!
Oh, wow! That really is great timing! I hope this video helps!
Thank you Malissa!!! This is going to be so helpful. I don’t know what I was thinking that I would be able to make my costume without a dress form. Now I can get things going. 😁
I actually unpadded my dressform so I could re-pad it on camera for you! I really hope it helps!
Thank you so much. I'm late to see the video I like to watch when I'm off work but got called in yesterday lol This is really a great idea. I have seen smaller dressforms second hand but never thought of doing this. Bootstrap just is not something I mentally want or need to tackle for the foreseeable future. This is quite good. Thank you again.
It's okay, I'm late replying ;P I'm really glad you still take time to watch my videos! I know this one was a bit on the long side, especially for a video that didn't involve any sewing. I looked at some of the bootstrap videos that were being put up and realized pretty quickly that that wasn't for me. I hope this helps you if you decide to give this method a try!
You sweet sweet lady you have just made me feel so much better. I am so fed up seeing these beautiful and expensive dress forms. I have hidden a dress mannequin, well using it for coats. 😂😂😂. Just started padding the dress from and you're right you definitely need to have patience with it. It is not looking like my beautiful body yet, but I vision the end result. Thank you for sharing this was a huge help.❤
This is such a great idea!
For duct taping, rather than sacrifice a shirt, I would probably find something in a thrift store.
But, most folks I know use plastic wrap, or a garbage bag, over the thin layer of clothing they'd want to wear to make duct tape. (I think there's lots of videos showing variations of this.)
My alternate to duct tape would be to get some sort of stretchable material, like a Jersey, at a thrift store, and make a sort of tube that goes over the dress form, then, use loungewear or housework clothing (which is ok to wrinkle), and stuff the curves into the tube with rolled or semi folded clothes, or an old towel or bedsheet or something.
That sounds like it could work too!
Thank you for demystifying the padding process so clearly, without hurry or skipping. Had been skeptical of Fabulous Fit, but it worked well...and made good sense! Yay: now the Dritz form will work better.
BTW, loved how you kept things positive and forthright. Ciao!
Thanks, this video was very helpful.
Maybe if we were to put the clothe on first pin it the place the padding and pin it into place. I would probley put a top on that I wear a lot and see if it looked like what I see in the mirror. Your looked very nice, I can't wait to fix mine. Thank you.
This was so wholesome and positive and full of genuinely great tips! Also: now that you redid the one built-in bookcase, have you thought about doing a video sharing your sewing books?
I'm so glad you liked it!
Hmm. I guess I could! I would feel like a bit of a phony though since I don't think there's a single one I ready cover to cover. I usually pick and choose the relative parts by project and a good chunk of the rest of the books were gifts. 😅
I've yet to buy a dress form because I'm not sure about sizing it, this was incredibly helpful.
I would go as close to your measurements as possible without exceeding them and then pad it out from there. I hope this works for you if you decide to try it!
Awesome! I'm thinking of getting a FF form - really appreciate the tutorial!
This is a great tutorial! I’m thinking that using an old body suit as the first sleeve and using foam padding from old bras and scraps might work. If not then I will most certainly purchase one of the systems you referenced. Thanks for your infectious positive attitude 🤗
Everyone should check that their measuring tape is accurate. The most accurate measuring is the metal, corked backed ruler by Westcott. Check 0 to 1; 0 to 5; 0 to 17…. Then pick a random measurement….say 36 inches… I use blue painters tape on the floor. Then mark the measurement from your tape then compare with the ruler.
For the duct tape, wrap yourself in plastic wrap prior
Helpful and informative 👌 thank you 😊
You're welcome! I'm so glad you liked it!
Love it .Thanks for the video
I'm so glad you liked it!
Thank you! Awesome!
Bloody brilliant! Thank you.
You are simply awesome!!! This was really helpful. Thank you so much
Awww thank you so much! I'm glad to hear this helped you!
Nice! I'm mid-padding out a dressform, and I had the similar idea to make little shaped pillows for the biggest parts since it was taking forever just layering batting and the shapes weren't looking right. Basically I've finished a tummy pad and in progress on a bum pad. But this looks so much easier!
I agree with your comments about the process taking a while and looking weird. I'm trying to think of it like a sculpture with references. Oh I'm also using a phone app that has 'double exposure' (I'm using Pixlr but whatever will work.) I'm taking pics side by side of me and the form at the same distance/angle from a mirror. Then I layer the same pic at the same size but with half opacity and overlap myself and the form to see which parts still need proportions adjusted. Sliding the opacity up and down is useful to see where we don't line up. I did side, front and back angles. It's harder to see some spots like chest hollows under the shoulders because that's a bit blocked by arms etc. But it helps for broad shapes.
Making pads for the area that need more alteration is probably a good choice if you're going to switch out the padding. It would make repadding the dress form go a lot more quickly! (This video took an hour to film, though that includes narration and body positivity ramblings.)
The double exposure app is genius! I never thought to do that!
Great advice!!
I'm glad! I did my best to make this an encouraging video because I know this can be an uncomfortable topic for many people.
@@HattoHem Not gonna lie, I am 51 years old and I watched you and listened to you and cried. Hello menopause, good bye figure. But honestly, life long body image issues anyway. You youngsters are teaching us older ones so much that is positive. God bless you lovely lady. 🙏😭💖💕
@@thecalicoheart7946 I'm so happy that this video spoke to you on such a deep level! I'm sorry that you've been struggling, but I hope you're able to view yourself differently. Your body has taken you this far and there's strength and beauty in that.
@@HattoHem You are right and I have been those very things myself, funnily enough. Bless you for replying and for your kindness when you are obviously so busy. We need more people in the world like you. Good luck to you lovely lady. 💝XXX
Hi, this was really useful information, if someone is unsure they have the correct padding how about dressing the manikin in one of their outfits and then photographing the manikin and repeating the process on themselves?.💝
That's a great idea! That would likely help!
I had no idea you could get pads like this! I used cotton wadding and a felting needle to pad mine but got bored partway through because it took ages to get parts secure and at the right measurements 😕
Oh geez, I can definitely see how that could be frustrating. Customized padding is probably a good choice if you're going to be switching out the pads often HOWEVER if you know you aren't going to finish the custom padding (because it sounds pretty tedious) then it's probably better to do something simpler. "Finished" is better than "perfect," right?
I enjoyed your video with the exception of the background music drowning out your voice.
Any tips for this who has a bit of body image issues and body dysmorphia?
I'm really sorry, but I don't feel qualified to give advice on those topics and I wouldn't want to suggest anything that could have an adverse effect, especially if it involves toxic positivity. It might help to speak to a therapist or community group and seeing if they have suggestions? I really hope you don't think I'm being evasive. I care about your mental health which is why I don't want to suggest the wrong thing. I do hope things get better though.
Does this work with any dress form?
Hi Melissa,
I wasn't up to asking for translation, but, someone put a post for people "over 18" in the comments.
Just report it. It's spam
I just asked Google to translate and it doesn't actually make any sense so.... {shrug}
@@ReinaElizondo ok, I will let RUclips sort it out
Thank you for bringing it to my attention! I reported the comment. Hopefully it's removed now :)
@@HattoHem you are welcome
I also reported it, as someone suggested ea. But, I figured if it was something vile, you could actually eject or block them (from the channel). But, since they got two reports, maybe they are gone now
This is the mannequin i use you need less padding. Adult Female Plus Size 14-16 Dress Form Pinnable Mannequin Torso with Base #14/16W+02BKX
It DEFINITELY helps to start with a dress form that's closer to your size. This one is one I bought during my pre-pregnancy days so things have changed a bit, but I don't have the space for a third dress form. (The other one I have is usually padded out for clients.)
@@HattoHem Oh I get that you can only have so many dress forms. Lol it’s just so hard to find the bigger dress forms you really have to look for them
Do you name your dress forms?
The dress form in this one is secretly named "Marie" and my other, older one is named "Anne." It's a bit in bad taste, but it was the only thing I could think of.
@@HattoHem I haven't named mine yet but I'm a Jane Austen fan.
So am I! You could go the heroine route with Elizabeth, Elinor, Marianne, etc. Or, since you're going to be sticking pins in the dress form, you could name it Lucy, Augusta, or Caroline ;P
@@HattoHem don't think of that, cool. Name it after someone that piss me off 😆. I love you videos always look forward to them. I know your busy, would it be OK to be sewing buddies? How's maisy?
@Louise Ruffles I'm so sorry! RUclips doesn't notify me for comments beyond the first one (which is really annoying. How is that not a feature?)
I love the idea of naming it after someone who pisses you off! As I tell my husband all the time, "I can do all things through spite, which strengthens me" 😂
We can definitely be sewing buddies! Let me know how your work is going! This is a spoiler for future videos, but I finished the Danielle dress and I'm pretty happy with it. The progress posts and pictures from the Ren Faire are only on my patreon for now though. The progress video is going to be in two parts. I'm about halfway finished editing the first one. It's already ten minutes long!
Maisie is doing great! She and the baby are best friends. She's so patient with him and he adores her. She taught him how to use big brown eyes to beg for food and now most of my snacks are split three ways 😂
Thanks, this video was very helpful.
You're welcome! I'm glad it can help!