My DIY Dress Form

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I ordered the pattern the other day. I plan on using it but im low on money right now. I like the idea of custom fitting. I think itcwill be nice to have a clone of myself for pinning and measuring. I thought about putting a side zipper in to add or remove filling. I sometimes fluctuate in my weight as much as two sizes. I have also looked at tape dress form videos . I thought about making a tape form and pulling it about 1 or 2 sizes smaller and fitting the Bootstrap form over it. The slightly smaller onew to act as a skeleton and give firmer strcture. I could line the cloth with quilt batting. I'm brain storming on how I will do my form. Your video was very thoughtful and informative. I'm a plus size and im also 5'1" tall. I'm shapped like a duck with boobs. Nothing standard fits.

[@Mellysews]

Hope it works well for you!

[@bcrowell47]

Great info for dress form issue for larger ladies! Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@denisedorsey2889]

This was so interesting! Thank you for sharing your experience and reflections about it. I don’t have a need for a dress form as I can fit my patterns fairly well to my body. However, I have learned a great deal today from your video.

[@Mellysews]

You are so welcome!

[@mauraricketts2769]

Thanks for a great review. Very very helpful. Like others, I’ve tried to adjust a standard dress form with limited success … so I’ve thought about trying what you’ve tried. I’m really impressed by your work! However, seeing your post has been very helpful to recognize that it’s a substantial investment in skills, time and a bit of risk! I was working on a sloper through an online class , and got a bit stuck and started thinking about a custom dress form. I think I will renew my efforts to complete the course. At least I’ll have a great set of measurements for the custom dress form if I can’t make the sloper! Thank you again for your super vlogs.

[@Mellysews]

Yes, I think a sloper that fits you well is worth the work - you can use it to help you adjust patterns to your shape or just draft them from scratch using it.

[@Escape10mom]

For me, I can do flat pattern measurements and get the fit I need. I always wondered if it would be a good idea to get a dress form. Not going to bother now! Great info! I remember you posting about all the stuffing you had purchased & wanted everyone to guess what you were making...

[@Mellysews]

Yup, if you’re able to flat pattern a dress form isn’t really helpful.

[@Marialla.]

A lot of good information. Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chloecalloway1428]

Hello! So, would you recommend the Bootstrap Fashions pattern form for draping as well, or only for fitting? I suppose my question is: Do the lumps and bumps prohibit you from drafting a professional, clean pattern?

[@Mellysews]

I generally draft flat patterns and then do fitting adjustments much as I would on a human model. I don't start my patterns by draping.

[@texasproud8822]

Thank you

[@Mellysews]

You're welcome

[@slotsize]

I tried that custom dress form using my own measurements and the form did not match my size. The bust was too low, and when I filled it it was too plushy - which I heard can be fixed using pet bedding, but the main issue was the bust sitting too low. I even spoke with the owner and she couldn’t help me. I was starting on drafting my own lingerie and the bust position made it impossible. I ended up doing it on paper with calculations & rulers. Which, as tedious as it sounds, is pretty fun lol

[@Mellysews]

That's unfortunate :( I didn't have that issue, but of course I've only made the one size I sewed.

[@Sparkle-ButterFly]

@TheBuzzyBee I am new to sewing so when I ordered my BS dress form I took my time with my measurements before submitting my order. When I got to the “bust height from center back neck” field I was confused about why they had us measuring from the neck. I kept getting a measurement of 11 inches but since I was nervous about the bust sitting too low, I did some research on the web about how to take your body measurements. I found only one blog where this lady stated that most women measure 10 inches from shoulder to bust. I rushed to my BS account and changed the field from 11 inches to 10 inches lol. After making my dress form I watched so many BS dress form tutorials and the bust ended up sitting really low. The vloggers who noticed stated that the bust seems about an inch too low. You would think that BS would automatically use 10 inches for the bust height or subtract one inch from the number that was submitted on the form. Thank goodness I researched before submitting my order. My dress form came out exactly like I want it and I named her Pinnie 📍. One other thing, I didn’t use that polyfil that BS recommended because it was too soft. I used Morning Glory polyfil because it is cheaper and firmer. My dress form is very firm and it makes a thump sound when I pat it. I wanted it to turn out as close to the real dress form as possible and it did. Sorry for rambling but I hope my experience helps someone.

[@adinashaina9977]

Thank you for doing this 💞 my upper is plus size porn boobs and my bottom half is tiny butt no fat totally flat so... I totally need this. So glad to find you again!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@cindypipes4261]

Im a tad confused. Who does the form represent?

[@Marialla.]

She said it was a client that she sews for.

[@Mellysews]

It represents the measurements of the largest size patterns i draft for my shop.

[@adeledirks9009]

Hi Melissa, I have a ready-made dressform already. Would I be able to make the outer parts of the custom dressform and put it over top the ready-made adding extra stuffing?

[@Mellysews]

maybe? If the vertical measurements of your form are significantly different though, you can’t adjust those.