I made a DIY dress form. Was it worth it?

[@katrinalevin4064]

I would love to see your new dress form in use. I also think that your DIY version is great and the pattern service is very good.

[@nedita9475]

This is impressive! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@yvonnesands]

You did a great job. I bought a cheap polystyrene mannequin from Amazon. It was smaller than me. I used fleece blankets and wadding to pad it out to my size and made a cover from stretch material. I used an extending pole and a christmas tree stand to support it. To try it out I put a dress with a known fitting problem on the mannequin and was pleased to see the problem was the same as when I tried the dress on. I was really happy with the result and it was a lot cheaper than buying one.

[@EmilyLightly]

That’s a great idea!

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I have a bootstrap dress form. I made it because I couldn't find a dress form that was as short waisted as me. I stuffed it with the filling from some huge pillows that I got from the thrift store. I love it because I can put a corset on it and it squishes like me which is good for the historical sewing that I do, a commercial mannequin won't do that. It's great to pin into, I use it for fitting and for placing trim. I prefer flat pattern to draping but it's nice for when I do drape something.

[@sunnyday3160]

Welcome back. What a project. Interesting video

[@abigailpip112]

Thanks, very helpful. Yes, please do post a follow up video of your experiences using the form and anything you think would have improved it. Thanks again

[@chrisschey7818]

Wow! Emily, I'm so impressed with your expertise, orderly process & skill!🎉🎉🎉 Thanks for this excellent video. I'm sure it'll guide generations of intrepid sewists to make their body double. I've loved watching your sewing journey. 👍❤️⚘️🌻🌷🌹💐

[@Golfgirlv]

That turned out beautiful and it actually looked like a lot of fun to make. I have seen custom made dress forms ‘I think on a closet core blog years ago’. But making one also gives you the flexibility to change it a little bit if you need to - as you get older parts move ;)

[@nathaliepalladino4128]

I think that you did a great job and you are a wonderful sewist!

[@dudley1850]

I loved this video, plus the ideas that you included in your suggestions; such as possibly getting an old clothes hangar. I definitely will try this pattern and idea. Thanks for your great work!

[@evyrune3008]

Thank you for this in-depth video! I’ve been considering making myself one for a while but have felt unsure of how successful it might be, so it’s super helpful to have this as a reference! I would also love to see you actually use it, and hear your thoughts on using it, etc 😊

[@joycelatham6974]

You’re gonna love this for all the reasons you mentioned. Congratulations 👏🏻 enjoy’

[@suly6024]

Beautifully done and very impressive. You are so talented!

[@IceCream-hp7mm]

That’s a tempting diy tbh.

[@cussot]

One of the things I miss about not having a dress form anymore is being able to construct a collar, dampen or steam it and leave it on the dress form to dry. Your dress form looks really good.

[@pwhite2579]

Not sure if you showed this but how did you insert the plastic pipe with sleeve all the way up past the fiber fill? I would have placed the pipe inside then packed in the fiber fill. Looks good!

[@EmilyLightly]

Yes, the pipe goes inside before you start filling! It’s quick but I show it at around 16:20

[@MollyDonaldson-y9b]

Good job. I like Eloise.

[@lyndsaycollins6468]

Your name is Emily, the dress form should be an “E” name as well. Edna, Eloise, Elvis…

[@Northandsouthsewing]

Callie Bonnie Bella All meaning “beautiful”