Show us your mannequins and dress forms

To the forum

Crochet Knitting Sewing Translated

Moderator

23209 Posts Recent Started

Monday, July 27, 2026 at 1:33 PM

Dear Community

Would you like to share pictures of your mannequins and dress forms? Please upload only your own photos.

Moderator

23209 Posts Recent Started

Monday, August 10, 2026 at 3:35 PM

Do you have any nice photos to share?

mama-hathi

33 Posts Recent Started

Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 3:08 PM

Since no one has posted anything here yet, I thought I’d get the ball rolling.

May I introduce you to my Emma? She’s been part of the family since 1987. Back then, my mom (Akela) and I were still in training, and that’s when we “adopted” her. It’s impossible to trace how much she cost back then, and her exact origin is also unknown. Despite her age, this “old” lady is still quite spry and sturdy.

I sewed the dress she’s wearing myself when I was 19. I didn’t have a pattern, but I had plenty of ideas and imagination about what I wanted the dress to look like and how I wanted to make it—and that’s exactly how it turned out. It doesn’t fit me anymore, though, but Emma still has something chic to wear ;-)).

Akela

5157 Posts Recent Started

Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 3:19 PM

Oh my, Madame is still alive :-)) I think that’s wonderful. We were both in our final year of apprenticeship when I bought her, because back then we were both still young and pretty; today, unfortunately, we’re only just... ;-) :-))))))

Back then, after school, Martina trained as a dressmaker in the craft trade, and I was retraining as a dressmaker (women’s ready-to-wear) in industry at the same time.

When Martina eventually moved out, Emma stayed with me until I passed her on to Martina because I needed the space in my new apartment.

Back then, her sisters were still living at home too, and the two girls were as slim as Emma. It was very often, “Mom, will you sew this or that for me?” and Emma was a great help to me, because the two of them were very often not at home at all (either at school or already in training) when I was sewing.

Best regards, Mom/Inge

Schnuckelina

6098 Posts Recent Started

Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5:39 PM

I love that Inge AND her daughter are here on CP—and that they’re letting us share in their lovely traditions. It’s great that you both trained as ladies’ dressmakers at the same time. That way, you could always exchange ideas and learn from each other. And today, tailoring is a hobby you share. What a wonderful story—and of course, Emma has a special place in it too. Thanks for showing and telling us about it.

Best regards, Ina