With the information in this article: http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3659/clone-yourself-a-fitting-assistant, a good friend, a couple of unusual items, and several things I had around the house... I now have a dress form that is (sadly) an exact copy of me. Once I find the right saw in the garage, I can shorten the pvc pipe to be the correct height for doing hems too.
Anyways with my purple twin around I can at least make clothes at fit correctly. And once I loose some tonnage I can easily cut into the form and alter it to fit. Oh and the black electrical tape is covering lengths of leather lace at the bust, waist (natural), and hip lines. They will let me see those lines through light/sheer fabrics and feel the lines under dark/heavy fabrics.
Anyone interested in making their own should note:
1. Duct-tape that is any color other than standard silver/gray comes in smaller rolls, so you will need to purchase more of them than their silver counterparts. I'd advise buying the silver and then three or four rolls of the pretty stuff to use on just the last layer. I used approximately 145 yards of duct-tape.
2. A person my size should expect to need about 8 pounds of fiberfill. I used a little over 7.25 and I think the hips aren't as stuffed as they could be.
3. Patio umbrella stands make great bases for these forms. I bought a metal one so I wouldn't have to worry about sand/water leaking into my sewing room. Just make sure you measure the diameter of the hole before you buy the pvc pipe for the form.
4. Before you cut the duct-tape covered shirt off, have your friend mark 36" off the floor all around. This way you'll know your stance for hems... and know how long to cut your pvc pipe.
5. Lastly and most importantly... BEFORE you start getting taped up, use the bathroom! I was stuck in that thing for about three hours.
6 comments:
lol love that last tip! I have seen people make these before and have thought of making one myself... I am a little afraid of facing an exact copy of my body though! Can't wait to see what you make with your new friend! -ara
Kat, this is so awesome! Seriously those adjustable forms are very expensive and really won't be so exact as this, especially when you make so much for yourself. I love your purple twin, bravo.
Tee hee, you made me giggle with your last sentence.
But it's really a clever idea!
Have fun, Rosanna
That is such a wonderful idea!
This is such a great idea! I'm sure it was fun to make. :D
That is awesome! I had heard that dress forms are very expensive to purchase, and had no idea you could make a custom one like this. Not that I sew . . . but still very cool!
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