I kinda made a dressform... (4 semi-large images)

[Rie]

(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum!)

So I've been lurking around craftster and honestly think people have some AMAZING ideas! I have been so inspired and have really gotten back into arts and crafts!

One of the things that really caught my attention was the homemade dressforms. I really really wanted one but just can't afford it right now so I tried making my own after seeing everyone elses. My boyfriend wasn't totally convinced that it would work but he did help me out by taping me up in gaffa tape and then cutting me out. I taped up the back and then stuffed it with newspapers. I used an old tanktop instead of taping the bottom part and after a little work and extra tape.... I have a dressform. Certainly not as nice as other dressforms I've seen here but I think for my basic sewing projects, it should work until I can buy a real one.

On to the (horrible) pictures.




My "girls" look funny. But I think I fixed that after my boyfriend cut the tape off of me...



I think it will work. It fits my clothes nicely so I guess we'll just have to sew something to see...



Any opinions or comments?

[Dawn Octopus]

Good job! If it fits your shirts, you must have done it correctly

[Dinosaurus Meg]

This is a great idea, you should enter it into the Dollar Store challenge. (did it cost you $10 or less? )

[britnlind]

These are fun to make and are actually pretty useful.It's almost impossible to find your center front and center back at the same time on yourself.

I had my roomies help me tape myself up. They got a kick out of throwing mail at me while before I put the last layer of tape on. You start out putting on the tape sticky side up. The girls on mine have deflated and I have lost a few pounds so I'll be making a new one soon.

[Rie]

I could maybe enter it in the Dollar Store Challenge - it didn't cost me anything. I got the gaffa tape from work, had the packing tape at home, had the old newspapers and the tanktop was an old one from my closet. Total cost = 0!

I didn't even think about doing the first layer of tape sticky side up! I think I'm going to make another, better one at work (youth club/crafty stuff with kids) and get my co-worker to help me.

What did other people use to stuff the dressform other than old newspapers?

[britnlind]

I used expandable foam to fill mine. Its a total pain and worse than superglue to get off your hands but it keeps the form firm.

It'll take at least three cans....might take you out of the dollar store challenge on that one.

[StyxAndStones]

I used regular old fiber fill like you would get for three dollars from walmart for stuffing plush toys. I think I ended up using two bag's worth to get my form as firm as I did. Also, I made a PVC pip stand, giving the dress form a T-shaped skeleton underneath, thenI put the whole works over an old fan stand so I can spin the dress form around.

[Rie]

ok, now I definitely have to make a new, improved dressform! All these great ideas and advice!!!

[britnlind]

Here is one step up on the duct tape form for anyone that is interested. I think next time we have a rainy weekend here in SoCal I'll follow this tut.


http://www.patternschool.com/bodyform.shtml

[hatch_handicrafts]

Love it! I should really make one myself but nailing down the boyfriend long enough to get him to wrap tape around me is rather tricky!