Dress forms

Dear Community,
would you like to share your own photos of your dress forms?

I’ve been working without a dress form for years—that’s how I learned, so I don’t really miss having one. That said, when it comes to sewing, I still follow the same process I learned years ago. I take measurements and double-check them, pick out a pattern, and see if it has the measurements I need. Then I lay the fabric out on the table, pin the pattern in place—saving fabric where possible :-)—and cut it out. Then I check what needs to be ironed—like collars and cuffs—and lay everything out next to the sewing machine so I can take each piece one by one and sew it on. If everything works out, I don’t need a dress form because it fits :-)

Best regards, Inge

Dear Inge, I can really relate to your approach. However, we’re both looking at this topic from two different perspectives.

I agree with you that as a private individual, you can do without a dress form, since you always try things on yourself until they fit. That’s what I do in my personal life, too.

But at the same time, I’m also the author of craft patterns. And for me, that includes showing the finished product—for example, a scarf—in detail from all angles and in every possible way it can be worn. This helps the viewer better imagine how the piece would look on them later.

Since I photograph my own creations, I use a mannequin or dress form as a tool.

Best regards, Ina

 

Oh, if I sewed clothes for myself more often, I think a mannequin in my size would be really handy. Trying to measure or pin things on yourself is often a bit uncomfortable.

I got my dress form from the kids for Christmas.

I usually just use it to show off my designs, but when I was working on my sweater, I was glad I could keep trying it on.

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I understand that you need dress forms for presentations. But they aren’t even suitable for that in my case, because I’m now almost 5 cm shorter on the right side than on the left, so it would look pretty awkward on a dress form if the fabric were billowing wildly on the right side😥
Best regards, Inge