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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Tea4Me
Date: 01-31-2007, 06:07 PM (1 of 13)
Well, my Uniquely You dressform has arrived. Her name is Druscilla. I have managed to get the stand assembled and she's standing on it. It's really a very interesting set-up.

There is a memoryfoam body form (kind of an out-of-proportion lump of foam with boobs). Then there's a "cover" to go over the memoryfoam. You order this is a size that will cover your own body measurements. This goes over the memoryfoam and compresses it to "your" form.

You take the cover (which is basted together), and rip out the shoulder and side seams, pin it to your shape, and then re-sew it. I still need to do that, with DH's help with the pins. Then I'll be ready to go!

Since there's room for a little expansion, which I'm sure I'm going to need :dave:, you can change the cover when you need to (or you can order another separate cover for someone else who's close to your size, etc.). The foam can be compressed up to 30% of its original size, so ... should be good! I hope.
Bev
User: Tea4Me
Member since: 05-20-2003
Total posts: 21
From: Sewhappie
Date: 01-31-2007, 06:50 PM (2 of 13)
I didn't know that my SIL was into body shaping now!!!!!:bg: :bg: :bg:
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001
Total posts: 1427
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-31-2007, 10:47 PM (3 of 13)
That was quick Bev! Have fun with it and let us know what you think.
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-01-2007, 04:57 AM (4 of 13)
Sounds fantastic! Have fun with Druscilla :bluesmile
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006
Total posts: 265
From: searose
Date: 02-01-2007, 12:56 PM (5 of 13)
i have had my GRISELDA for a year now' i love her . The instructions sound complicated, at first , but it won't be with your husbands help. I managed to fit her on my own. I just wish my body was as taut and toned as hers.:wink: Lynne
User: searose
Member since: 09-30-2006
Total posts: 45
From: MaryW
Date: 02-01-2007, 04:37 PM (6 of 13)
I would LOVE to hear any and all comments everyone has on their dressforms please. I am contemplating purchasing one.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Ozll
Date: 02-01-2007, 07:16 PM (7 of 13)
I have one, I call Elizabeth ( for no reason) I love it ( its one of those adjustable ones from Joanns) It does not get to my size correctly 100% but it is pretty close. The only thing i wound saly it it is a little more..well endowed and Thats messes up some of my dresses, i just have to remember when fitting or taking measurements!
User: Ozll
Member since: 01-25-2007
Total posts: 32
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 02-02-2007, 04:02 PM (8 of 13)
I've had such a laugh reading dozens of internet posts about making dress forms from Duck Tape. The pictures are great too! I went out and bought my tape - $13.00 (Can), and have an offer from my husband to be my wrapper, so it's on the agenda for this weekend. By all reports it's a good alternative to spending over $300.00. My thought is that if I make good use of the tape form, I may well consider buying a "real" one down the road. Come on Mary, I dare you to try! You always seem up for a challenge!!
sewhappy
User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003
Total posts: 69
From: Tea4Me
Date: 02-02-2007, 05:47 PM (9 of 13)
Helen, I made one of those tape forms, and it worked OK, except that it's hard to pin to them. I had my hubby make a stand that would make her exactly my height as well, so that I could hem and stuff, and know where the dress would hang on me, etc. :bg: But then, of course, I .... somehow expanded ... and it was definitely not useful then! :mad:

Druscilla is very soft, which will make it easier to fit things. I'm so glad the weekend's here! Now I can really check it out, and get on with things.:bluesmile

Say ... ever wonder why we don't have a little smiley's who's SEWING???? That might be cute!

Have a great weekend, everyone! More later!

Bev.
Bev
User: Tea4Me
Member since: 05-20-2003
Total posts: 21
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 02-02-2007, 06:08 PM (10 of 13)
I made a duct tape dress form -- be careful not to slouch when you make it! Mine ended up a bit too big all around and much too heavy in the stomach area due to the slouching, but it did allow me to get an idea of how my dress fit. I stuffed her with plastic bags. I used cheap duct tape, though, and she came apart in the back and always stank to high heaven!! (invest in the name brand stuff if you can) So now she is collecting cobwebs in the garage. :bluesad: Maybe I'll make another one at some point, or a paper tape version.
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006
Total posts: 222
From: MaryW
Date: 02-02-2007, 07:02 PM (11 of 13)
You guys are scarin' me. :shock:
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 02-07-2007, 04:20 PM (12 of 13)
We made my duct tape dress form on the weekend, I think it was definitely worth the effort, plus it was fun to boot! I have a slight scoliosis so this is the answer for me - a commericial form would not have duplicated my back. I've always wondered why my pants "wander" around my waist - when I look at the back of my form it is obvious. I will cover it with fabric so that I can pin on to it, and also the fabric will keep the garment from sliding off. We did follow some of the helpful hints that I found on the internet, like taking a bathroon break BEFORE you start, and lying on your stomach before cutting the form off (hard to get down there though - had to fall like a plank into my husbands arms so he could lower me down!). All in all a successful project!
sewhappy
User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003
Total posts: 69
From: Tea4Me
Date: 02-07-2007, 06:11 PM (13 of 13)
Way to go, Helen, for getting that form made. And I remember have a TON of laughs when we made ours. There was a class of 12 women, and we took turns helping each other. Funny you should post this now. Now that Druscilla is in the house, my husband took my old tape dressform off the stand and brought it into the kitchen this morning. He asked if I wanted him to walk on my back (I slipped and wiped out on our ceramic tile hallway in the house day before yesterday and I'm a tad sore). Then he put the dressform on the floor and walked across it. Voila!!! No more old dressform taking up space!! :dave:

I hope you enjoy fitting your clothing now that you can work with "yourself"!!! =)

Bev.
Bev
User: Tea4Me
Member since: 05-20-2003
Total posts: 21
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