Dress Forms

Dear users, dear authors,
what should you keep in mind when buying dress forms?

The most important thing is probably that the dress form matches your own clothing size. If you sew or craft clothing for yourself, a dress form is very practical. You can easily keep garments in progress—even after individual steps—on the form and see how the finished parts so far drape or fit.

Even if you want to sell or trade garments (tops only), they always look more presentable and easier to visualize on a dress form than lying flat on a table.



However, you have to keep in mind that a dress form never matches your exact original measurements, because we humans are simply different despite having the same clothing size. You could pad it out in the relevant places if you want it to be completely exact. Since I tend to work with stretchy fabrics, I can ignore the difference.

My “standard dress form” can be taken apart into 3 pieces, so for short tops I can also place the torso on the table—and then, for example, get a better look at the neckline and pin it.



The dress form only shows the upper body. Sleeves or sleeve length can only be tested on yourself. The same applies to pants. A “dress form” is simply for tops or dresses—and not for pants.

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Before I bought it, I of course looked at other models too. Anyone who sews fashion in several sizes can also choose an “adjustable multi-size model”. These models have little dials at bust, waist, and hip height for setting the right size. But at around 150 euros, this “multi-size model” also has quite a hefty price tag.

Mine is enough for me, and I’m happy with it.

Best regards, Ina

It doesn’t have to be a dress form—I’ve been sewing my own clothes for years without one. If I ever need help, I call my daughter; she comes over, and then I’m the *living* dress form—especially since I’m all lopsided and crooked anyway.

Best, Inge

Dear Inge, not everyone has a daughter they can just call over on the spot who also happens to know what to do.

In that sense, I think a dress form is really handy. The clothes definitely look better on it than they do on a hanger.

Best regards, Ina

I bought two different dress forms for children’s sizes and one for adults.
But they’re really just meant for photos. Sometimes things look better on a dress form than when photographed flat.
Best regards, Petra

I think a mannequin like that would be really handy if you could adjust the size. Otherwise, you end up with a bunch of mannequins lying around whenever you lose or gain weight.

Hey there!

I actually made one myself. There are videos on YouTube. It worked out great.

Best regards, Birgit 

Dear Veronika, there are adjustable dress forms, of course. But they’re quite expensive, and in my opinion, they’re only really for people who make clothes in multiple sizes. I don’t need that—my dress size only varies by two sizes, so I can just estimate.

I also use it less for pattern drafting (since I know far too little about that) and more as a “mannequin” for pieces I’m working on or to show off the finished garment. For a small amount of money, you can set one up for your own size. But if you only make a top once a year, you don’t really need one.

Dear Birgit, making my own dress form would be too time-consuming for me. But if you have a knack for crafts, then you can definitely do it.

Best wishes, Ina

Hi,

I inherited a dress form from my grandma.
It’s made of slightly thicker wire covered in plastic. The wire looks like an electrical cord.
It’s shaped in waves, consists of two parts, and can be put on—preferably with the help of a friend.
Then you adjust the whole thing to fit the shape of the upper body and hips. The wire is flexible. You just have to be careful when taking it off. Then the whole thing goes onto a plastic stand. It’s a bit delicate and, unfortunately, very wobbly. 🥴🤪

@TauglaNz7452
(it's a shame you don't tell us your first name, then the greeting would be more personal - maybe you'd like to add that to your signature?)

Your grandma's dress form is truly historic. It's great that something like that still exists and that you use it. Maybe you could post a picture here sometime. We'd love to see and admire such an old treasure. Our grandparents didn't have Styrofoam yet, after all. I always find it very exciting to see what tools and aids people used to work with in the past ... just think of those incredibly heavy irons.

A friend of mine once found a wire dress form at a flea market - probably like the one you described. It's made of wires too. She spray-painted it white and put it in her garden as vintage decoration. Roses now grow through it. It looks very beautiful.

Best regards, Ina

Dear Ina,

oops, I didn’t mean to write without a signature.

Unfortunately, the photo will take a little while.
Sorry.

Best regards
Karin

Dear Karin, you already have a signature. But I’m sure there’s room for more ;-)

Best regards, Ina