Dress form recommendations
January 22, 2017 10:34 AM   Subscribe

Purchasing a sewing dress form, looking to the hive mind sewists for advice. Specs inside

There are way too many mannequins to choose from! I'd like a woman's dress form, for skirts and dresses, inserting pins, adjustable, solid base.
Budget around $300 or so. Thank you!
posted by St. Peepsburg to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: But could go higher budget for better quality...
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:36 AM on January 22, 2017


Was going to suggest Royal dress forms, but yikes so expensive! (I rescued mine in pristine condition from a department store dumpster, so maybe that's an option)...also Wolf forms are equally good, but their website is not up (out of business?). Just found a bunch of both on ebay, but it looks like you'll have to be patient for a good deal (and definitely be prepared for $$$hipping). You definitely want one that's cotton wadding over heavy paper maiche for pinning with a heavy cast iron base (with wheels). Also, 'adjustable' forms are usually 'plastic contraptions that break easily' (you can always pad up a few sizes with batting). And don't be afraid, when bargain hunting, to go for one with the muslin cover ripped (as you will find a lot of these for sale second-hand)...just copy the pattern off the form and make another (you may need to staple-gun it around the base, disassemble/reassemble the arm and neck covers, and hand-sew the back seam)...definitely check craigslist and any dry cleaners that do tailoring for second-hand.
posted by sexyrobot at 2:09 PM on January 22, 2017


If this is for yourself, (or if you know an obliging standard size,) you can make your own for less than that.

Various methods available.
posted by BWA at 3:29 PM on January 22, 2017


« Older Hospital-appropriate classical?   |   What should I name all my lamps? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.