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Dressforms Is it possible to adjust them?
dr. liz Advanced Beginner NJ USA Member since 11/15/07 Posts: 274	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/13/08 6:06 PM I noticed that dressforms are on sale at Joann. I am petite in height but my tummy is larger than will be accomodated by the Dritz form. If I get the small, the bust and hip are OK, but the waist doesn't go large enough. Can I pad this somehow so it will be right? The next size up is too big in hip and bust, so clearly is not appropriate. Also, my back waist is 15 1/2. The form is "15 +/-." Is that good enough? Or am I just not fittable in a ready-made dressform? Thanks for any help.
EveS   Intermediate MI USA Member since 11/26/06 Posts: 2700	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/13/08 6:37 PM I guess how much you want to tweak your form depends on how you'll use it. I have padded mine out and she's very much like me, but I still do fine-tune fitting on my body. I use the form for testing general lengths and other visual issues of that nature (e.g. things you want to step back and look at), as well as initial tissue fittings and muslin fittings. Once I get near where I think I should be, I make sure the piece works on my body. (Oh, I use her for hemming, too...LOVE that!!!). I do a lot of experimenting that I couldn't do on myself as easily. As far as the padding out goes, lots of people have clever ways to do it. It primarily consists of batting and a cover of some sort. Many people use a knit shirt of some sort. If you do this, I recommend a sturdy knit w/ minimal stretch (like an exercise top) so your form doesn't grow more than you want it to. For mine, I used a fitting shell pattern (Butterick, Vogue, McCall's, and I think Burda all have them) with the ease removed and made my cover out of a sturdy cotton/poly fabric (one of the linen "looks" from Joann's). I'm very happy w/ the results and I'm quite surprised at how realistic she turned out. Eve ------ People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6124	Login to reply to this post In reply to dr. liz Like this post Date: 1/13/08 7:50 PM Dr. Liz, have you seen the brochures for the Dritz dressforms at Joann? I picked one up at the store yesterday, and it gives detailed information on body measurements for the three models Dritz sells -- My Double, My Double Deluxe and Twin Fit. Based on your information, the My Double Deluxe may be the most appropriate form for you. The My Double Deluxe has a maximum waist measurement of 34", which is one inch larger than the My Double and 1.5" larger than the Twin-Fit. The back waist length on this form is adjustable from 14" to 16". And compared to the other two models, the hips, bottom and thighs of this model have a fuller shape. Also the center pole is slightly off-center, so you can use this form for fitting pants. I don't have a Dritz dress form. I bought a cheap fiberglass store mannequin from ebay, sawed off the parts that were too big and padded out the areas that were too small. Then I sewed a cover for the form using the sloper from the PatternMaster Boutique software program. I'm pleased to say the form now duplicates my figure surprisingly well. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Reggies Mom USA Member since 9/12/05 Posts: 1707	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 Like this post Date: 1/13/08 8:22 PM Were you able to ascertain from the brochures what the differences are between the My Double and the Twin Fit? I'm curious because when I see them online they always look to have a different body type. I wonder is one is for a more mature figure. Can you provide any insight? TIA ------ “Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.” ~Garrison Keillor~
Fruzzle Intermediate Member since 1/26/07 Posts: 382	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/13/08 9:10 PM The dritz forms come in different sizes; the difference between the "my double" and the "deluxe" version is that for the latter is that as noted above, the pole is offset so you can fit pants. It's easier to fix a dressform that's too small that one that's too large. You can always add padding but you can't reduce them from their minimum size. I have covered mine with an old pair of pantihose & inserted batting to pad the shoulders & boobs. I have to make sure there's a shirt on it when company is over -- she has two weird floating "cloud" boobs because the dressform is navy but the batting is white ...
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6124	Login to reply to this post In reply to Reggies Mom Like this post Date: 1/14/08 8:13 PM Reggie's Mom, it's a little hard for me to generalize about the differences between the regular My Double and the Twin Fit lines because there's a ton of information in the brochure, but I don't see any consistent pattern in the mass of data. Visually, it looks like both forms are equally "perky" so I can't say that one or the other is better for a mature figure. One difference is that there are five sizes in the Twin Fit line four in the My Double line and only two in the My Double Deluxe. I just went on the Prym website, and unfortunately it didn't have the information in this brochure. The brochure was printed in 2007, and it seems the website hasn't been updated since 2004. But I'm pretty sure you'd be able to find a brochure at your local Joann. Or if you'd like, just send me a PM, and I'll be more than happy to mail my brochure to you. I'm not planning to buy a Dritz dressform. I just picked one up out of curiosity. Nancy ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Reggies Mom USA Member since 9/12/05 Posts: 1707	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 Like this post Date: 1/15/08 10:47 AM Hi Nancy, Thanks, I appreciate your reply. I'm going to stop by my Joann's today and see if they have that same brochure....haven't been there in eons. I'm thinking I'll need a petite in order to have room to pad it out. I was leaning towards the Uniquely You forms but all the warnings about the large breasts on those scared me away. The last thing I want to do is perform "surgery"! ------ “Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.” ~Garrison Keillor~
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6124	Login to reply to this post In reply to Reggies Mom Like this post Date: 1/15/08 11:50 AM RM, if Joann's doesn't have the brochure, just let me know and I'll send you mine. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Reggies Mom USA Member since 9/12/05 Posts: 1707	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 Like this post Date: 1/15/08 8:13 PM Just back from Joann's. No brochure, but they did have a binder with info on the Dritz forms. It looks like it'll be a petite Twin Fit for me since the My Double isn't long enough in the back waist. I need to call tomorrow and ask the manager about the return policy. I'm still not sure it'll work for me - until I actually can get it home and can see it - but I'll probably take a chance as long as I can get my money back (minus the shipping...arrgh!....I was hoping that since it gets shipped to the store anyway I wouldn't have to pay that.) I won't be needing that brochure but I really do appreciate the offer. Thanks again! ------ “Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.” ~Garrison Keillor~
traceytherealtor Intermediate IL USA Member since 2/14/07 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post In reply to EveS Like this post Date: 1/17/08 0:35 AM I purchased the dressform from JoAnns and it is one size smaller than me. I just finished my sloper to put on my dressform. I made it out of muslin. Do you think the fabric is sturdy enough. How did you close the bottom to keep the batting from falling out? ------ sewing is my therapy

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