Editorial from Vogue Italia March 2008. [credit: TFS]
Still don’t have a dress form. Still sad. Must get one, however, a new ‘professional seamstress’ one is so expensive it hurts. And I don’t want to get a plastic, fix one, with only one size. So, this is a shout-out for all [ex-]owners of sewing ateliers who want to give away/sell their dress forms. Maybe, somewhere out there, in my reader base, there is someone who fits in this category. I did search online and didn’t get any good results. And I am afraid to buy from e-bay, as I’ve never done it before. There you have it: I’m such a loser.
Hopefully I’ll be a loser with a dress form real soon!
6 Responses to "Dress Form Still Wanted"
Please correct the typo - in the context I think you meant to say “loser” not “looser”, witch means “Lacking conventional moral restraint in sexual behavior.”
Funny post, it’s the new type of begging :)
Thanks for the hint! Well, it never hurts trying, right?
Diana, I understand the appeal of the adjustable dress form, but the quality of these home sewing forms is seriously lacking. They are rather flimsy, don’t hold up over time, the plastic parts brake, they are unstable on their base, and virtually impossible to drape on, which is a major reason you want the form. I’ve had an adjustable form although a slightly different and sturdier model than the one you pictured, and I wanted it for the same reasons you do. I thought I could “dial” any size and make anything for everybody, but it wasn’t the case and I didn’t end up using it as much as I thought I would. I learned.
Do look into a “fixed” one (we have Wolf and Royal in the US- and a lot of replicas for slightly better prices, I don’t know what is available in Romania or Europe in general- even display forms covered in jersey can sometimes work, I have one now and I actually do use it for draping when I need to because the shape is quite realistic and close to a human form, even better shape wise than Wolf, but not as sturdy. I take care of it though and it’s still in mint condition) Find your median size and try to get a form as close as possible to those measurements and you’ll see it’s so much more “professional”. A dress form is not necessarily the answer to fitting, they are highly stylized forms of what humans look like, you still have to fit on a “fit model”- not a commercial model- a “fit model” who should represent your target customer- age and body type wise and should be your median size- also of average height, about 5′6″ for misses- different for “petite” and “tall” categories.
You don’t need a new dress form, the professional ones are made to last- if they were kept well, away from moisture and weren’t abused with scissors, they are still as sturdy as ever. There are dress forms from the 20’s, 40′, 50’s, 70’s, 80’s etc all in various conditions and a lot in excellent shape.
Think about the type of dress from you want, see if you can test drive either types (go drape on someone’s form, make a garment and try it on a real person to get a feel for the shape and know what to expect- e.g. flat derriere and chest area etc, what to look for- e.g. balanced side seams, placement of shoulder seams etc and what to avoid when buying one for yourself- e.g. your shape preference. If you want an adjustable one, adjust it to different measurements from small to large and drape on both extremities, then try the muslins on real people and see if the form reflects the human form well enough to need only minor adjustments) and then look into making a purchase.
All the best, it’ll come in time, do your homework in the meantime, try to learn about what is available (I’ll send you some links), and keep an open mind. :)
I found this dress form on Amazon.com and I think that the price is not too high.I can tell you that I bought from there,especially books,and I was satisfied by the delevery.
I would give you the link
http://www.amazon.com/Singer-Adjustable-Dressform-Medium/dp/B0009S5M7Y
The only problem is that to order you must have an online shopping card.I made one at BCR.
Tell me if it is a good idea,I would be glad that I helped you.Crongalutations for the spring collection.
If you don’t like this type of dress form you can find others on the site,you wait some time before they arrive but the things you buy are cheaper.
hi,
We are looking to sell our dress forms. But, they are from preemie to size 14 (childrens) if you are intrested, pls contact me asap.
we have about 35 on hand. different sizes.
thanks!