I made an easy customized dress form! WITHOUT duct tape and spray foam :)

[@marathorne6821]

I recently attended a class whose objective was precisely the same: padding out a dressform to be as close to a body double as possible. The process was similar, except that it started with a class mate taking dozens of measurements of our body, so we could adapt the princess seamed pattern initially, before sewing it up in muslin and fitting it to ourselves like a second skin (eek!). Then came the padding, and finally pinning the muslin to the dressform. No zips in our case, just lots of pins! At the end, although "Doris" is not a 100% perfect body double (I am more hollow above the bust than she is, and it's not easy to take away bulk from her) she's definitely a very good starting point for judging whether something is likely to fit me, and that's amazingly helpful. I was therefore fascinated to watch your approach, and thoroughly enjoyed this video. If anybody out there is in any doubt, I would whole heartedly recommend they do something like this, it really pays dividends.

[@lizworkman9967]

I did the same thing but I started putting on a layer of batting and then padding it to my size. I added a bra that fit me, added what I needed for hips etc. Then I sewed a tube of really stretchy material and slipped that over the whole dress form. No zipper needed. It works really well.

[@Ivette_Med]

Thank you so much for making this video. I was going to throw out my old dress form I bought when I was in college (I'm much larger now), but after seeing your process, I prefer to recycle and save money. Your sense of humor was an extra treat! Thanks again for sharing 💞

[@zehraatique8495]

That’s really a class how to make your own custom dummy also to get a perfect shape around your bust cut cups of your old padded bra and place them to get perfect bust shape overall it was a great lesson for your side darts you can unpick side darts and sew them a little lower where you need them and for side darts you can also make french side darts they’re going to give a fabulous fit

[@mercedesdelcastillo8324]

This is a genius idea. I have two, one small and one medium. If I would have known about this I wouldn’t have spent the money. Thanks Marie for this great idea.

[@Andyscrap]

This is a great idea. Thanks for all your wisdom sharing...including 'stuffing your bra in school'...🤣🤣🤣. I love you sense of humour and we won't hold it against you💖

[@cindypeterson1629]

Marie this was absolutely fascinating I loved watching you make this dress form so informative thank you so much!

[@cathleenvance4441]

You have to admit, this is a genius idea. I am going to try this. I just bought a generic dress form and had planned to pad it with batting and foam. This is a great idea. Thanks so much.

[@donnahartsell8551]

Thank you so much for this video ! Now I can make the dress form I have been wanting for so long .

[@sewndebisdream6953]

Fantastic! You gave me some ideas. I have a dress form I bought off Amazon. It's great even though 4 sizes too small so I can customize it to me now! (I've used it to make my daughter clothes because it's her size) Thanks so much for this! You're the best!🤗

[@janehammond1322]

Brilliant idea, thankyou for doing this. I have one of those adjustable dummies and might try this.

[@deidrabenson361]

Thanks sooo much for sharing!❤️❤️❤️

[@isherwood4]

An interesting tip is to use one of your old bras to fill out the bust. Great job!

[@sewingnerdconfessions7695]

I have an old dress form and was looking to do something with it! Thanks for taking us along!

[@dianamarlowe3352]

Im glad i found this video. I padded mine but the princess cut is the winner. Thank you

[@karinjcollstrup7360]

Glad I found you. I was starting to wonder why nobody had made a dressform this way before. I am planning on doing this myself, but it is very nice to see that somebody made it work before comitting to the task myself 😅 The only differens is that my body is very differently shaped compaired to a dresspattern. So I am planning on doing a ducktapeform and making a pricesseam pattern out of that - with all my hipdips and bellycurves. That way it should be possible to see how a dress should be cut to hide thoose parts 😂

[@bharris5732]

I was gifted that same brand dress form and have been attempting to “size it up”. Thanks for the advice and inspiration to get back to work on it!

[@MartyMakesStuff]

I enjoy your teaching style. Thanks so much! I am doing this to a dress form now.

[@sandraolson7813]

Thank you so much for this idea. I'm going on a road trip in a couple of weeks and will definitely be on the lookout for an unwanted dress form.

[@bekesize]

Back again, I wanted to share this thought for any other plus size women with an average sized mannequin. I am going to beging padding my dress form with ALL of those too-small sized shirts and bras in my closet!

[@rtblade4]

I got a mannequin from Christopher Banks when they were closing the store at the mall. I put one of my bras on it and stuffed her up (It took more stuffing than I want to admit) and put a tshirt on it. It is working pretty well so far!

[@madeleineschwarrtz7433]

I have 2 different size dress forms...I can't get either of them to match my body with the dials they provide...I am certainly going to take.mt measurements and follow you process!!! Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge!!!

[@cathykieser53]

Yes, a very useful video, thanks for sharing. I made a bootstrap one then lost weight and had to take it all apart. A zipper would be so much easier. Thanks again, love your videos

[@beverlycason8735]

Thank you this is great idea I have the one that has notes to open at different spots so this will help alot

[@jeannetteantry1086]

I have covered my old vintage Sally Stitch twice. I know it needs it again. I did my own pattern block creation, turned it into a princess line dress pattern and put a zipper in the back. I still use this form since my bust, shoulders and neckline are still the same, as is my body length. I also put a bra inside with the padding. I have a newer body form, and I do use it, but not to fit myself. You described my Sally Stitch dress form before I padded and covered it. Things have certainly changed over the years. I designed my dress form cover using the book "Patternmaking for Fashion Design", by Helen Armstrong. Thanks for sharing this.

[@_amch_]

This is absolutely genius! Thanks for sharing!

[@annesullivan1171]

Brilliant idea Marie 💕

[@aribella6913]

I need one !

[@MartyMakesStuff]

I have a my double. I think the foam rubber is a great idea.

[@janetclark8754]

you are a genius!!!!

[@kerstinshadbolt1003]

Thank you so much for sharing your simple, but genius ideas. I bought a display mannequin and padded her with polyester wadding to my fit. Perfect until I want to use her- far too soft. I shall use your method and materials and exchange her knit nighty for a custom princess style dress. She'll look very pretty!🌷

[@aribella6913]

Love!This Channel!

[@tracybingham7739]

This is so great! I have one that I swear is made for an adult size Barbie and I’ve been wanting to pad her but I keep putting it off. She’s become a great ornament but now you’ve given me the confidence to just start padding away. Thank you!

[@SevenKarat]

Thank u. I so love this idea

[@EverythingsOrange]

Hello! I just wanted to say that I'm loving your channel! I like how real all your videos are, if you know what I mean. I'm binging them at the moment while I'm breastfeeding and napping with my new baby but I'm so excited to get back to sewing. Your videos are filled with so much and I love watching your process. Thank you for making them xx

[@mybucoliclife]

Im so glad you found me!

[@brendajefferson5984]

🥰 Thanks Marie! I can redo my too small dress form.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you!

[@normacooper6377]

Clever!

[@melissaj4626]

This is awesome, thank you! I really would like to find a dress form

[@bekesize]

Thank you! This is amazing! Yes, that dress pattern is still current. I just bought it. I also was given a free dress form in a very small size. I am a new sewer and my first two garments are both wonky fits..lol. I was about to give up garment sewing because as a single, size F, plus size petite, I don’t have the skill level to figure out adjustments. It will be much easier and less embarrassing to make the princess seamed dress and get help pinning it, then asking someone to spend hours duct taping me!

[@mybucoliclife]

You will be so amazed at how much easier it is to fit things once you have a dress form close to your size. I really hope that it works out well for you and I'm glad that my video might have inspired you!

[@croixmom]

Thank you so much for this video! I have a Uniquely You form that I purchased um maybe 20-ish years ago and well, my size has unfortunately expanded and not in a pretty way. So now I need to re-fit and re-pad my form. One thing I really like about your video is you suggested to just add [fabric] tape to areas where you might need to make the cover larger than the seam allowances allow. A couple of notes: my form came with only 1 cover. I vaguely recall at the time I ordered, it was possible to purchase additional covers so I suspect that may be what came with your garage sale find. Also, I just viewed a video where the video maker used a steamer to smooth and shape the batting as she applied it. I may try that as I reshape my Sewella.

[@mybucoliclife]

Great info. Thanks! I love the idea of streaming the batting 😊

[@violetcat12]

bootstrap patterns have a dressform pattern but i have been cautious of going down that route. However they also have a pattern for a cover for said dressform, now I'm thinking it might be worthwhile to get and use to pad up my old form.

[@mybucoliclife]

I like that idea! Let me know how it goes if you try it.

[@kathynash5609]

The foam at Joann Fabrics, even in sheets is pretty expensive. I’m going to look for cheap chair pads or lounge chair pads for extra foam. Maybe Ollie’s? OR! What about cheap yoga mats?!!! Love to watch your sewing process videos.❤ Kathy

[@mybucoliclife]

Honestly just looking around the house, sometimes I gut unused pillows or whatever looks useful 😁

[@Iamgone1961]

You have to give your dress form a name lol xx

[@mybucoliclife]

I shall call her squishy 😁☺️

[@itsmelaura1533]

I would love to have a figure like yours with curves in all the right places! When I was young I was a straight line, bean pole with no curves, now I have one big curve because I carry all my extra weight on the front of my torso. I have a flat butt and hardly any bust. My doctor says I'm apple shaped but I think I look more like a pregnant bean pole. While watching, I thought about making a dress form but decided seeing my shape all the time would depress me too much, lol! Since my doctor wants me to bring my weight down (I'm 25 lbs. over max for my height) due to borderline type 2 diabetes I might consider making one once down to a healthier weight. Either way, I still enjoyed your video though! I love how you are straight forward and honest along with a good sense of humor!

[@kathynash5609]

You have hit the nail on the head. This describes me to a T! However, I have decided to be realistic. My mom had the same figure. She only lost weight when she became sick. I’m going to make a form anyway. I kept one of Mom’s lambs wool/mink collared coat when she passed. I have no other use for the coat but to store it to cover my mannequin (2nd hand and doesn’t fit. Yet!) that way I can keep my figure out if my view, remember my mom, and store her coat, all at the same time! A win-win-win! Us APPLES have to stick together! ❤

[@deloresgutierrez1350]

Thank you for this video! I had thought about doing exactly this. I doubted myself. I bought an adjustable form in my size range...depending life. Also self taught and thankful that you tube helps me find affordable solutions. I moved to Puerto Rico and don't have a tailors ham because termites here are fierce. Any thoughts on a filler? Keep posting your solutions, you're a blessing to this gma!

[@mybucoliclife]

Well what you're really looking for inside of a ham or a sleeve roll is a material that will somewhat absorb the moisture of the steam. So if wood sawdust isn't an option, perhaps very tightly compressed cotton or wool pieces, I've also had a sleeve roll that was a tightly ruled log of newspaper that was covered in fabric and then covered again to make sure the newsprint did not come through. I hope that helps

[@deloresgutierrez1350]

@@mybucoliclife Thank you for the response. I am going to give it a try. Up until now I haven't considered the steam. I will let you know what works. Thanks so much!

[@debbiesnyder762]

I love this!!! Thanks so much

[@jayneburrows635]

I have the kind of mechanical dress form that you mentioned but I want to have a go at your method. I'm excited about making it. Can I ask you about your tshirt. It fits you beautifully and I would love to make one like it. Was it from a pattern?

[@jayneburrows635]

Ooh I found it on one of your other videos. You really are my sister from another mother. I love the way if you make a mistake you show it and how to correct it. I will be watching your future videos for inspiration and education. Thank you x

[@mybucoliclife]

😂☺️😊

[@MartyMakesStuff]

What kind of camera do you use?

[@mybucoliclife]

I have a Sony zv1

[@tcelle9158]

Hi Marie, have just found your channel. Done a bit of research. The following pattern is a basic sloper that can be used: Butterick B6849

[@mybucoliclife]

Perfect! Thank you 👍

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

so youre making a COVER for a dress form/mannequin, not a dress form.

[@mybucoliclife]

Right!

[@linda.brotherton1689]

Thank you 😍