Re-Shaping A Dress Form 👗 Padding To My Size

I finally got a dress form! I can't wait to use her for all my upcoming sewing projects (and the making of my wedding dress in particular), but she needs to be altered a bit, first. In this video I'm going to re-shape this dress form to my size. Enjoy watching!
Redthreaded's padding demo: • Demo: Padding Up A Dre...
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My name is Lucy, I'm a Dutchwoman here to offer an alternative approach to beauty.
On this channel I do mostly hair tutorials where I show you how to braid, pin and style your own hair. I recreate hairstyles from movies, tv shows or history and I regularly come up with my own, which I love to share with you!
I really enjoy diving into history to find out how women went about their beauty and dressing rituals in days past. Vintage and history-themed videos are my little passion project.
You'll find a bit of lifestyle content here as well, ranging from cozy chats over a cup of tea (my beloved Tea Time videos) to personal vlogs and home & interior videos.
Enjoy browsing!
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Lucy
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Blog: www.loepsie.com
Instagram: / loepsies

[@AlisaBlanchard]

I think the lines of ribbon would be super helpful and aesthetic! Great job!

[@fashion_geek]

I'd recommend sewing your cover smaller so that it fits more tightly. Not only will it fit better, but if it's loose it'll be harder to work with :)

[@CalindaSharisse]

Thought in the middle of video: For the distance between the shoulder to the bust, can you add padding to the top of the shoulders. Can't move the breasts of the form, so move the shoulders?

[@pheart2381]

Or build up the contours under the dummy breasts to bring the bumps down a bit? Your suggestion is good.

[@philaphobic]

@@pheart2381 yeah, I would think both would help.

[@mirjanbouma]

Loepsie really should use shoulder padding to make her mannequin taller, that's an excellent suggestion. I hope the mannequin will turn out right. The differences are so big, and there's a lot of measurements that can be wrong.

[@tinekejoldersma]

Excellent advice Calinda. A movable mannequin has a taille that can be parted to lengthen the body and can be extended to all sides. Perhaps that amount of money to buy one would have been a good investment hence the totally not fitting mannequin.

[@shawna2boys716]

@loepsie I have no experience in this topic but it might be helpful if you try one of your garments on the form to see how it fits. It seems the only thing missing from this video is to test it. I really enjoyed it!

[@Wingedshadowwolf]

I was thinking that too!

[@admirathoria0073]

Pad up the shoulders to increase the height of the shoulders, while keeping the bust height and waist height the same.

[@colettebramwell-colyer]

Since you’re taller. Can you add some padding on top on the shoulder to try and adjust the distance from shoulder point to your bust point. If that distance and shoulders are incorrect it will be difficult to get an accurate fit. The garment hangs from the shoulders. And your high bust measurement is important to consider as this helps determine your frame size. Unless your wedding dress is strapless. Then it won’t matter as much

[@j.totheworld]

I love how willing you are to try tackle such grand projects like making your wedding dress or padding your dress form! I'm such a perfectionist, so I rarely put my skills to the test in such ambitious ways. Thankfully, your videos inspire me to be more adventurous in this regard! Hopefully I'll get there one day :)

[@liesbethverhaeghe8252]

Thx for this vid. Was wondering how I could do that😊. Maybe a tip: remove the small bits of padding again(memorise where they were) and put them under the big peaces. They will look much smoother.😉

[@johnreynolds6074]

Might you try some of the clothes that you have made on see how they fit on your dress form now? Then make some adjustments to the form.

[@AkashaOConnell]

It might be easier to get a custom dress form pattern from BootStrapFashion. It's made to your measurements, and they take your posture, shoulder slope, and even belly shape into account. You then sew up the pattern they send you, stuff it, put it on a stand, and voila...custom dress form.

[@malloryholy4882]

I am at the point of making clothes where I want to get a dress form so this is pefectly timed.

[@tracyvision]

Mallory, consider making your own. I made mine using a customized pattern from bootstrap fashions. It was surprisingly easy to do. I use mine all the time, so handy! patterns.bootstrapfashion.com/diy-dress-form-sewing-pattern/exclusive-diy-dress-form-sewing-pattern-and-a-complete-step-by-step-sewing-photo-guide.html#.X4zzpoEifmo

[@bcgrote]

I was able to get a good price for a plus size, adjustable form. She still needs padding in the chest, but it's a good start. I'm putting an old but well fitted bra on her to get a good chest size, she's a B and I'm a FF!

[@ashleymckee1140]

Since you can't move the breast down I would suggest padding up the top of the shoulder to make up the difference as much as possible. Can't wait to see all the wonderful things you will make with her. Thanks for sharing!

[@AH-cy4md]

I just got a vintage (1940’s-50’s) adjustable dress form. Acme, size B. She’s in pretty good shape. I used some pads from Fabulous Fit as well as some felt fabric I had. I was able to get pretty close to my measurements, except for the upper bust/high chest, where she’s an inch bigger than me, and I don’t think I can change that bit. It’s my very first dress form, and I hope it’ll help me achieve the perfect fitting princess seam bodice. Put a favorite well-fitting garment on her to check out the fit👍

[@louiselill1528]

For the apex of the bust, waist and hips is where you need the ribbon . You can buy tape to do this but I can't remember the name . This will give you the dimensions to drape better and also guide lines for cutting any pattern.

[@manouk4218]

I am receiving my secondhand first mannequin in FIFTEEN minutes and it is gonna be too small so just 🙏🙏🙏 Thank you!!

[@emilyderrick99]

I cant wait to see your dress. I have a feeling it will be delicate, flowy with some amazing lace. Congratulations from America 💘 🇺🇸

[@elfenscheisse]

I know it is off-topic but i hope this gets read because the video has just been uploaded. i am a long time subcriber almost since the beginning of this channel. i enjoyed your videos so so much over the years and there were often days when you saved my day with a hairstyle or a recipe- literally! i am very thankful for your all those years of great entertaiment and i appreciate the efford. Thats why i watch every video several times, even those which i dont like that much because i want to support you and say thank you for all those years of entertaining me so well. i love the content until 2015 the most ( and still watch it regularly!) and i remember times when i came home from uni stressed and looking forward for a new episode of vlog friday for example. though i am very (!) grateful that you dont delete older content in general i am quite sad when i saw that lots of older vlogs ( i regularly have my attacks of nostalgia when i binged VEDA and Vlog-Friday, especially when i dont feel very well) are private now. i completely unterstand if they are removed because of personal reasons and i accept that of course (!), but if it is for the case that you think, they no longer match the channel concept as it is by now, maybe there is an opportunity to maybe switch them or at least some of them with which you are ok with, to a maybe kind of archive and mention they and the content are no longer up to date and reflect your positions e.g. when it comes to recipes that are not vegan for example, because i really miss the old vlogs of 2012 - 2014 and i am sure i am not the only subscriber.

[@Loepsie]

Ahh I'm really sorry to hear you miss those videos so much! I'm very aware of how long you've been with me and you have no idea how much I appreciate that, thank you so much ❤ I decided to set my old vlogs to private for a few reasons. First and foremost, I feel that they're very intimate. That's probably part of the reason why you (and others) love them so much and I can understand that, but I don't feel comfortable having those clips of my childhood bedroom, friends and family, and pretty much my whole late teens/early twenties life on my channel now that it has grown in size a lot. I feel quite protective over my younger self somehow, and having those videos up just didn't feel right or safe anymore. Not from long time followers like you for course, but the idea that literally anyone can see them and do what they want with them... Besides the size of my channel, the whole internet and default attitudes on it are very different now than they were then. We're spiralling into more and more extreme polarisation and agression online, which makes me reluctant (and, let's be honest, scared) to share personal details of my life publicly. Videos on KZbin sadly don't exist within their own context and while anyone can stumble onto my 2012 vlogs, not nearly everyone will understand I'm not that person anymore. The food videos especially are very easy to critique, and I actually feel people would be right to do so because I didn't know the first thing about nutrition and wasn't in a position to give food "advise". I hope you can understand how I feel about this! I left my newer vlogs online, and there will be more coming in the future (I'm doing Vlogmas again! 😊)

[@elfenscheisse]

@@Loepsie thank you for your answer and letting me know the reason. and of course, i fully understand and accept that.

[@ladytaliastorm8882]

If I could add one more tip... Measure your back at bust height then measure your front. Your bust measurement may be xx around but the back and front can vary a lot. Example, my daughter is small in the back, her bra size is only a 32 (USA measurement in inches under bust around ribcage) but her cup size is an F (once again USA - not sure how it would convert) - so her front is where the majority of her total bust size actually is. I have to pad out the front of my form differently for her than I do for me - we are the same size (32) but I am smaller in sup size.

[@ImBellasara]

I'm in the middle of adjusting a foam dress form and have found that making a tight fitting cover (I'm using a princess seam pattern and adjusting it to lay very close to my body) with a zipper up the back allows me to get the padded out areas right where they need to be. It's definitely more work to make than a stretchy sleeve but I think you'll find it's more accurate and shapely.

[@adriennegonzales2636]

The point of distance between the fullest points of the bust is called an apex ❤

[@merindymorgenson3184]

I made the Bootstrap dress form. I intentionally made it an inch smaller at all measurements since I can always add more to the mannequin, but it’s harder to fit stuff if the mannequin is not fully stuffed.

[@mirjanbouma]

Loepsie, I strongly recommend you double check the less often used but still important measurements in addition to the common chest, waist, hip ones. You did consider the shoulder to apex (breast tip) one, that's good. Also consider the breast width (space between apexes), shoulder width, the underbust measurements, the width of your back, the length of your back, and the vertical length between your waist and hip. The more accurate your dress form, the more you can enjoy and the better you can use it. Heel veel succes, en bedankt voor de video!

[@louiselill1528]

To make the bust bigger you can use shoulder pads

[@anny1free]

What if you add padding on top of the shoulders? Then length between shoulder and widest point of bust will be elongated. Love you

[@MagsMcG]

My mom got me a vintage dress form for Christmas last year and I desperately need to pad her up. I'm 6' so it's gonna be hard to get us to matching measurements but it should be quite the endeavor! Thanks for the inspiration and lowkey hope that it can be done 😂 💙

[@carolinemercer9779]

Love this! I’m thinking of buying a dress form but I’d rather get a smaller one and pad it up so that’s it’s more versatile to use for different sizes

[@biancaflowers9066]

Thanks for sharing! I've always been intimidated by the thought of padding out a dress form - you did a good job explaining the process and making it approachable.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

It’s really difficult to get a dress form in my size for less than $600. So my options are to buy a smaller (preferably secondhand) dress form and pad it out (which will likely involve a LOT of padding), or option 2 (which I am leaning toward), to you buy a Bootstrap Dress Form pattern. Basically, you take all of your measurements (make sure they’re very accurate), and send them in to Bootstrap. They’ll make you a pattern to sew out of a thick and sturdy material (like a twill), that you then stuff, and add an IV pole in the middle of, and you have your own dress form, made to your exact measurements! Pocket full of Poseys here on KZbin has a great video making her own Bootstrap dress form- and she even had a very small old dress from that she put up the middle of it. So that meant a really sturdy middle and she didn’t have to worry about inserting an IV pole. I’m considering doing something similar. Apparently IV poles can be a bit expensive anyway, so a secondhand very small mannequin or dress form probably wouldn’t add too much to the price, but would end up being a lot sturdier. I also love the idea of using a very pretty floral fabric, so that the dress form itself can be an art piece. And I’ve also heard that doing that- having the dress form be something lovely to look at), can also help with body acceptance and positivity. Seems like a win/win/win to me! And it’s about the same effort as padding up a smaller dress form, but with greater accuracy in final measurements. So I think I’ll go with option 2.

[@tracyvision]

Do it! I made mine and it’s great!

[@bcgrote]

I was able to find a plus sized, adjustable form when a fabric store shut down. Keep looking! Cheapo forms are available on Amazon, and probably Wish or Ali Baba. Keep looking for one you can afford, and don't turn down one that is a bit small! One is coming for you, just keep your eyes peeled!

[@aliiannucci3135]

I love that she has a name! Did you name her or was that already her name from her previous owner? Can't wait to see how she works!

[@lugomez8084]

Such a cool video! It might be helpful to also mark the hip , breast and the line between the breasts and the waist to make pattern making easier and have a reference for darts and such, with some ribbon or something like that as you suggested

[@elvisneedsboatsbennett2455]

build up at the shoulders instead of trying to lower the waist

[@justynateresa]

Uwielbiam twój kanał. Jesteś esencją tego co lubię najbardziej, czyli styl retro i krawiectwo.

[@treasuretroves5497]

Amazing!!! Loved this. Thank u!

[@SaucerJess]

Great job! 🧡

[@rosacarlino4113]

im taking a draping course at the moment and this is super helpful thanks! good luck with your wedding dress :D

[@juliedennis8733]

Very helpful. Thankyou.

[@francie4149]

Looks like you did a great job

[@Tina.bina.]

I'm wondering if you could pad on top of the shoulders to give her the height you have on her?

[@dialiaga]

Funny how even though the dress form is a bit lumpy and weird in a couple of places overall she looks more like a real human body after the padding.

[@goestocollege]

I was at my local clothing store, and there was model that looked just like you! I should have taken a picture to show you...you are beautiful!

[@sharonrussell7933]

I thought this was a very good idea. You need to put an article of clothing on her that fits you nicely and see how it looks.

[@NorthernHedgeWitch]

I watched a video where someone took a bootstrap pattern (for a custom dress form) and the padded out a smaller dress form inside the costume one - kind of like a cover that needed to be stuffed a bit.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Rebecca, from Pocket full of Poseys!

[@kayceem5956]

non sewing-related thought: this could be a really practical exercise in self-image. Sometimes, we don't see what's really in the mirror. Making a physically accurate model of oneself could help to see reality.

[@JessSuave]

Went to Goodwill the other day and spotted a dress form. Turned out to be not only an adjustable one, but one that could be expanded all the way to 48-40-48 so it works for LOTS of sizes. Price? $20. :D

[@bookbutterfly2408]

Which company produced this dressform?! I need this in my life

[@jennifergrove2368]

I know you said that you're going to start your wedding dress a few months down the line but.....It *may* be a good idea to at least start thinking about what you want and starting on the pattern *now* because...the holidays are around the corner and it might get a bit overwhelming. D:

[@Loepsie]

Oh no, I'm going to SHARE the wedding dress a few months down the line. I've already started! 😄

[@lisahodges8299]

In time returned flattens a little... You may need to check? Loved this vlog, I was desperate to help you. Birdy

[@YAMASHIROily]

Omg I'm in the same boat! :D lol. I just got a dress form as well to sew my own wedding dress 🤣

[@sinemakca3556]

I think you can add some layer on the shoulder which can get the right measurement between shoulder and breast.

[@shawna2boys716]

LOL shoulder pads! This jumped out as I read your suggestion. How many of us have cut them out of garments and have them in one our stash bins?!

[@alshirley3444]

I would have put an old T-shirt on wrapped myself and duck tape and then cut it out and put it on the dress form and fill in all the gaps. that way you would have your measurements perfect

[@wiebelziel]

If you ever get rid of her, the unpadded version was pretty much perfect for me :p

[@dnyanalghadge7892]

Oh boy human body is such a puzzel that's why it's says that everyone is different the video was beautiful i suggest that before starting with wedding dress do try sowing similar to your wedding gown u may or may not film it it's your options but I really want you to go for you're own swoed dress ....All the best dear

[@microplastique]

you can try putting something that fits you very well on the mannequin to check how it fits her well too

[@haydirouge661]

iam from Algria love youu

[@user-rw2uz8fe1w]

Can you hire an Arabic translation, follow you from Iraq and the Arab world, please? Job translation, I love the wonderful videos 💕❤️💋💘🇮🇶

[@AH-cy4md]

Did she work out well for you, Loepsie?

[@BubbleFizz]

Where on earth did you find a dress form that is so small? I’ve been searching everywhere but haven’t been able to find any that are this small. D:

[@RossellaWilson]

How much batting did you use?

[@marloflanagan7421]

Morgan Donner made a dress form from her own body. You could try that!

[@CrownedLily]

I want and need a dress form as well. Centimeters are so odd for me being american and using inches. Hearing you say 60+ I'm like omg cause with inches my widest measurement (that being my hips - I am pear shaped) is 45.5 inches I'm assuming you'll be doing a mock up of your wedding dress.

[@mirjanbouma]

One inch is 2.54 centimetres, FYI 😉 if you divide the centimetres by 5, and then. Multiply by two, you get almost exactly the amount of inches.

[@emokekeszeg2166]

Hi Lucy! How are you?

[@OktoberSparksss]

I kinda wanna do this just to see if I’m smaller than I think I am lol

[@ItscharliebabyXD]

Seeing the rats cage made me think of them. How are your babies doing? 🐀

[@Loepsie]

Getting very old, but doing well! 😊

[@hotjanuary]

Why not a duct tape dress form stuffed with newspaper? It will get your general torso length and circumferences, and it’s nowhere near as difficult as Morgan Donner’s plaster cast dress form.

[@Loepsie]

Pinning through duct tape will leave glue on the pin and ruin the fabric 😬

[@hotjanuary]

@@Loepsie, ok. I thought of something. Use the duct tape dress form to accurately measure out and make a torso shell from canvas (without using pins). Then stuff the canvas shell with saw dust and a pole on a stand. So the duct tape form becomes an intermediary step that doesn’t show up in the final product.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Honestly, a Boostrap dress form would be just as easy, (though a bit more expensive), and even more accurate to measurements. And it wouldn’t destroy your pins.

[@CandySphynx]

Wide ribs at 73cm 😂 all right 😂

[@karensimonpeterson3574]

You’re taking all of your measurements with your clothes on, which means that she is actually going to be, quite a bit bigger than you are.

[@bobbybobster7595]

Why not buy an adjustable dummy, you are making enough money on utube to afford one.

[@Loepsie]

What a hurtful comment, you have no idea what my financial situation is like... But to answer your question, adjustable dummies aren't ideal for draping because they're full of holes you can't pin into