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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Dress forms...  |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 07 2007 : 09:24:19 AM
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I've asked my parents for a adjustable dress form for my birthday, but now we need to find out what kind is best... I figured maybe some of the ladies on MJF would know...does anyone have suggestions, reviews, warnings, etc for me in chosing one?
Thanks,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2007 : 11:46:53 AM
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I got mine from a thrift store, so I didn't really investigate which ones were best. I will say that mine has a tiny three legged metal stand that is really annoying cuz it keeps falling out. But I like the body part of it fine. Just make sure it has the sizes you want on yours. They have different sizes.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2007 : 2:20:53 PM
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I have a queston too.
I have sewn for many years and wondered. Is it a good investment to buy one?
I am so short waiste. I cannot wear dresses/
I have tried to make a dress to fit me and my figure to no avil.
Would a dress form help me to make a pattern to fit me? Pinkroses |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2007 : 7:20:48 PM
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I have an old wire cage type that we "display" things on and one of the circa 1970's dress forms that you can adjust to your measurements. It has been very helpful fitting patterns and draping fabric. I am very short waisted (although 5'6"..) and this helps me visualize what I need to adjust on the pattern before I pin and cut. If you sew alot for yourself it seems well worth it to me. How many times do you make something only to find it puckers or pulls, or bunches up somewhere you don't want it to? Knowing how to fit well makes a big difference in how you wear the garment. Hope that helps Pinkroses!
with a happy heart |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2007 : 9:29:57 PM
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A dress form can be expensive, especially if you're not sure you'll get a lot of use out of it, I'm in the process of making a duct tape double - basically a dress form made exactly to your own body measurements (b/c it's made on your body!lol) you'll need a friend or an understanding hubby to help tape you up, then they (hopefully!) cut it off you and you stuff your new form. It can be put on a stand or can hang as well.
Here is some more info and instructions on how to make them.
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00002.asp
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 03:07:20 AM
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I would love to do a duct tape form. I saw that last year, but didn't have anyone to help me to do it. I did recently purchase a fully adjustable form, but haven't had anyone to help me with that one too. It is I think called Uniquely You. You have to resew the muslin cover in a specific order and then stuff the foam rubber "body" into it and zip it closed. Depending on how you have altered the muslin cover it is supposed to be your exact body double. Just no body to help me do the pinning. So it is sitting here, huge with pointy bosoms. I do have a tiny probably size 8 one that I bought in a thrift store, her name is Andrea and you see her in all of my photos on my blog. I do love having at least her for draping and showing finished products on. I also thrifted a wire one which holds finished products in the shop where my skirts are. So get one that is easily adjustable, unless you have someone to help you, and pinnable.
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 06:20:41 AM
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I can just see my husband's face now as I ask him to wrap me in duct tape to make a dress form. He already thinks I'm insane and this would absolutely confirm it for him!! I think it's a great idea, but the thought of looking at my duct tape twin with all of it's extra bumps and folds sitting in the corner of the craft room taunting me, well......If nothing else it would inspire me to get back in shape!
Karin |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 06:29:37 AM
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I'm sitting here laughing..thinking of farmgirls around the country done up in duct tape with no one to cut the stubborn stuff off of them..oh my..what a funny visual! LOL sorry..the coffee hasn't kicked in just yet...LOL
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 06:51:04 AM
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Right now JoAnn.com has them on sale for 129-175.00. If you sign up for the mailing list they send you a 40% off coupon. I don't think that's too expensive for something that should last your whole lifetime ( if you get an adjustable one.)
with a happy heart |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 06:56:03 AM
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thanks Bramble..we'll have to check into that.
appreciate the heads up.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 08:14:45 AM
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Thanks ladies!
I cant wait to really get started, I think with the dress form it will be easier for me to actually design stuff as well....hurray.....haha
Thanks,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 08:22:11 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Tina Michelle
I'm sitting here laughing..thinking of farmgirls around the country done up in duct tape with no one to cut the stubborn stuff off of them..oh my..what a funny visual! LOL sorry..the coffee hasn't kicked in just yet...LOL
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
LoL!  I'm sitting here drinking my morning tea and almost snorted it when I read that. Good image! Thanks for the giggle, Tina.
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 09:08:27 AM
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Tasha-that's so funny!! I have an old dress form that I've had for years and her name is Lily. She even went to farm fair with me last year. She's wearing a "make do" apron that I made based on the one in Mary Jane's last magazine. (which, by the way, was a ball to make and very easey) I also made one out of an vintage nighty that has big green polka dots all over it. Aren't dress forms fun?! I had wanted one for so long and will never part with her!!
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 10:01:44 AM
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Hi there,
I bought the Singer one new off of ebay, although it's offered at Jo-Anns for basically the same price when it's on 50% sale. It's adjustable sizes 10-16. It cost $129 new.
I use it all the time: for hems, to photograph clothes for ebay, and for fitting. I wish that I'd gone into the Jo-Anns and looked at the things before buying one though. I have a terrible time adjusting the height of my lady... she frequently shrinks (the height adjustment knob doesn't tighten properly) and I overcompensate by setting her too tall. So my form is either much taller than me, or much shorter. Sigh.
If I'd bothered to go look at them before buying, I might have chosen the slightly more expensive Dritz (~$150 on sale) model if it had an easier height adjustment feature.
Hope this helps.
Robin
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 10:09:12 AM
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Great, thanks, I am actually looking at the Singer models, because on the Joanns site the Dritz had alot of bad reviews, of the dials breaking, the form coming off the stand etc. so your form, is the only bad thing the height adjustment? do the dials turn easily, no sign of them breaking? how easy is it to change the size/measurements? I will do some more reading though...
Thanks,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 12:59:33 PM
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Here is a much cheaper idea and I'll be able to tell you in about 2 weeks how it works. In the back of How To Make Sewing Patterns by Donald H. Mc Cunn, there are instructions to make your perfect dress form out of artists board and about a dozen of your own measurements. I am going to make my form and have hubby make a stand to my height to put her on. One of my friends has had several diffrent brands of new dress forms and she says they all fall apart and still don't quite represent YOU. I have my eye on a vintage form at my favorite thrift store, but Miss JoAnn uses it for her dress displays and will not let it go.
Oh, Naomi...I just love your name. I wanted to name one of my girls Naomi, but hubby wouldn't go for it (the other name the grumpy bugger nixed was Esther).
Trina
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Of all the things I have created, my children are the best. |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2007 : 07:44:59 AM
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Thank you Trina, Naomi is a unique name and so far I've only heard of other people having my name, and when i do its only been a max of at most five people.
Naomi is pretty, thogh i'm not sure how often I live up to the meaning of "Pleasant" or "Pleasant one", haha, I can be quite a rascal, and have shown I can be very stubborn. haha
I'll keep everyone's replies in mind when I chose my form...
Thank you ladies,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2007 : 6:45:50 PM
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Oh Yay! I'm sooooo excited, we ordered my dress form today! It should be here between Monday and Friday of this coming week(March 26-30)..."Thanks Dad!"
So far, I think this will be my best birthday present in sometime!
gotta run, going to clean my room so I can finish a quilt:D...oh yeah, I got a Singer form, found lots of good reviews, better then the Dritz my double form, lets hope we picked a good one...haha
I'll be around,
Grinz,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
Edited by - Naomi Michelle on Mar 21 2007 6:47:19 PM |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2007 : 11:10:42 PM
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you are ever so welcome Naomi.:0)your dad is a real sweety.I'm really glad that you are excited about this. I know that you've wanted one of the dressforms for a while. I love how creative you have been lately and how much you have learned in just a short while about sewing.I'm very proud of you (can't believe my baby girl will be a "sweet 16" and just about all grown up now)Happy Birthday (on April 2nd)..love, Mom
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
Edited by - Tina Michelle on Mar 21 2007 11:11:35 PM |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 08:12:11 AM
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Awwe...moms feeling..whats the word?.....old?...no no i'm joking....yes mom i am excited, and have wanted the form for a while. yes daddy and you are both very sweet, i am extremely lucky to have such wonderful parents.
I'm happy I've learned so much in the short year that i have been sewing as well. You better be proud of me! sheesh...if you werent, there must be somethin' wrong with ya! you have the most talented teenager in the whole county, no...the whole state, this girl start her first "business" when....when i was 12-13....so yeah, you had better be proud...:P
yeah...i know i'll be 16 mom.....hard to believe eh? 16 years...zoom..out the window...gone....vamos...so...heh heh...whatcha gettin' me? :D sweet sixten...it better be good.....hehehehe
love ya....oh btw...um...why in the world are we communicating via a forum? we are each in the next room, takes us what? a few seconds to go talk in person?....
haha
love ya mom
Grinz,
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 11:12:44 AM
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silly girl..because as your mom..I just sort of wanted the whole world to know that I think you are special...It's called "mom's bragging rights" every mom does it just a wee bit.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Naomi Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
1563 Posts
Naomi
Sunshine State
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2007 : 11:25:40 AM
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A wee bit? you do it alot! haha
love ya
~Naomi~
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be-Abraham Lincoln |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Dress forms... |
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Dress forms...
