Date: 1/8/06 5:38 AM

I haven't been sewing very long, but have wished more than once that I had a dress form to use during construction.

Does this seems like an extravance to someone new to this craft? Does anyone have any insights on brand, price and features?

Thanks.

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“The best thing...,” replied Merlin, “is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails."
— T.H. White, The Once and Future King

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Reply to ivory
Date: 1/8/06 6:03 AM

I have been sewing a long time and just a year ago I got a dress form - Twinfit from Hancocks- a cheaper one just around $120. I wish I had gotton one a long time ago. Mine is adjustable (most are- or you can pad them).

I don't think I'm using mine to the full advantage but I'm trying. I have made marks on mine and it seems if something looks good on her then it also fits me.

I still seem to try my garment on a zillion times when making something, as old habits are hard to die, but slowly I'm learning to trust the fit on her.

There are many different kinds out there. Some people even make their own.

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Penny

Fabric Mart Bundle Fabric sewn- 10.5 yds

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Reply to ivory
Date: 1/8/06 6:17 AM

Ivory

Get a copy of the current Threads magazine. (March 2006) It has a great article on dress forms.

HTH

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Date: 1/8/06 10:26 AM

And there's always Jean Haas' website www.dressformdesigning.com

You can buy her CD's that explain how to make your own dressform and/or pants form and make a revolving stand. I didn't buy her CD's, but rather took her class offered here. Which, BTW, was outstanding and I got a great dressform which shows my body "variations" extremely well. (Too well, IMO. )

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Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing (Janome Memory Craft 3000), Serger (Pfaff Hobbylock 786), Embroidery (Janome 300E)

Pearls of Wisdom that I'm forever repeating to my kids:
- You wouldn't care what people think of you, when you realize how little they do.
- Look where you're going, not where you've been.

My blogging spot: www.phatchickdesigns.blogspot.com

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Date: 1/8/06 12:52 PM

Ivory, further down on the board, there's a loooong discussion of dressforms:

major dressform discussion

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Reply to Nickle
Date: 1/8/06 1:31 PM

Nickle,
I have the My Double from Dritz. I would like to pad the waist, but not loose the marking it has on it for an even waist. Yes, my waist itself is not even, but that is not the point at this time.

I know how to pad the bust and hips. I will not loose any marks there. But the ones for the waist come in handy when I do a skirt. I need to learn to make my hems even by making the changes at the waist, but I do not know how to do that yet. I will learn this year.

Ryan's Mom,
I wish you would post a picture of your designer dress form for us. I should take Jean's class sometime this year.

Carol

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Current patterns:
Pamela's Pattern Perfect Tee Shirt
McCall's 5630
Pfaff 2036 sewing machine
Bernina 1200DA serger

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Date: 1/8/06 1:36 PM

Everyone, thank you.

Elona, thanks for the link. I can certainly see how a dressform made from a body cast is the best way to go, but, good grief, that is scarey stuff. And the pictures pretty much freaked me out.

Has anyone bought a dress form they are satisified with? I can pretty much do what I put my mind to, and know what things I just don't want to.

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“The best thing...,” replied Merlin, “is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails."
— T.H. White, The Once and Future King

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Reply to ivory
Date: 1/8/06 2:29 PM

Quote: ivory

Everyone, thank you. Elona, thanks for the link. I can certainly see how a dressform made from a body cast is the best way to go, but, good grief, that is scarey stuff. And the pictures pretty much freaked me out. Has anyone bought a dress form they are satisified with? I can pretty much do what I put my mind to, and know what things I just don't want to.

Ivory,
LOL! Yes, I'm one of the crazy ones making the dress form from scratch It does look intimidating, doesn't it? I'm having a bit of trouble now but that was just user error, the other lady, sewlily, has had a much better time of it.

The reason why I went ahead and made my own is that I couldn't find a dressform in my size...even the petite ones were too big in the bust area. Thus...the wonderful world of custom dressforms.

Several people have expressed their satisfaction with the dressforms purchased at Joanns/Hancocks. The ones that are marketed to home sewists are generally adjustable (the display model should be marked with the range of measurements that it can accomodate). I would say definite must haves is a sturdy base and an adjustable height. The ones that I have seen are light enough to carry, some even have casters.

When you do decide on a dressform, I would love to see notions review. I always like to see what everyone else is using (I'm not nosy, honest:) )

HTH!

Kim

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Feeding myself for about $3.70 per day at http://mostlyhealthyrecipes.blogspot.com/ ; I update the blog weekly with my adventures in cooking cheap, healthy meals.

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Date: 1/8/06 2:34 PM

I just bought the Dritz My Double Deluxe (I think that's what it's called -- the blue one in the current Threads) which also can wear pants. I bought it from J's online with free shipping so it won't be here for a few days. I intend to pad it out where I need to and then recover it. I may buy the pad/cover set from Fabulous Fit if I can't get it to match me otherwise.

I figure worst case is I have a place to put projects in progress.

I'll write up a review when I've had it a few weeks.

ETA: review


-- Edited on 6/30/06 4:11 PM --

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"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” ~ Gilda Radner
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http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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Reply to Debbie Cook
Date: 1/8/06 3:26 PM

Ooh, Debbie,

I have been wondering about this dress form. There are some bad reviews about the My Double and I am hoping the My Double Deluxe is an improvement. That pants feature is really making me want this one. Looking forward to your review. When you review yours, could you please look at the My double reviews already posted first and address the problems the others had with it. In other words, is there improvements to it other than the pants thingy. Thanks!

Mirza

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