Demo: Padding Up A Dress Form

In this video, I go over the basics of padding up a dress form to fit a different size, including tips and tricks for getting the right shape, common fit issues with dress forms, and what to do with corsets.
NOTE: I flubbed some of my numbers when speaking measurements--turns out it's tricky for me to focus on all aspects of video production and state numbers at the same time ;) I think we all know what I meant though.
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[@AbbyCox]

YES, I DID AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@crystal8160]

Once you have finished padding out the way to check that your proportions are correct is to take a favorite article of clothing and test the fit. Is it loose in the correct place and by the right amount. Is it tight enough at the right place? Does it wrinkle the same way? Also be sure you are ready to look at a copy of yourself objectively because padding the form to what you want to look like wont do any good. It can be hard seeing your size and shape out there but it can also be liberating. I found this challenging at first and i have great self esteem but by the second day i was excited because I was about to improve my ability to make clothes for myself that would look better than ever. So far she hasn't disappointed me.

[@sugarcoatedgoggles]

Absolutely! Padding out my dress form did wonders for my mental health and self esteem. You've got to get real with yourself very quickly and realize that they're just numbers and have nothing to do with your value as a person. It was so liberating to get to see shape outside my own body. Made me realize that I'm not a bog monster, I'm just fat, and fat's no big deal.

[@JuliaSkottMakes]

@@sugarcoatedgoggles I discovered that I have the same proportions as my (bigger and adjusted) dress form and it was kind of fun to just go, huh, shapes. Curves.

[@piccolobella3945]

@@sugarcoatedgoggles :: "...I'm not a bog monster, I'm just fat, and fat's no big deal." OMGoodess I LOVE YOU ! Thank you !

[@kathiethompson6719]

I made a copy of myself in a dressform college course and hid her in a closet. Unfortunately, a form made with all of that work will only suffice if you gain or lose 20 lbs. She no longer lives at my house and I'm now looking to pad up a purchased dressform. Whatever works!

[@Ayaforshort]

THIS. I wasn't expecting the emotional fallout from making a dressform the correct size. Unfortunately I just made mine this week and I'm not the toughest. I honestly did pull out some stuffing and restart my pre covid gym regimen. I'm down 1 inch on my waist. Honestly I just want my pre covid figure back. Size 8/10. I'm a 14/16 and I'm not accepting it very well.

[@lieselemay]

I have a 1950s or 60s expandable dress form. I love Shirley. I found her for 10 dollars behind an ARC and I could not give the guy my money fast enough. (couldn't risk him changing his mind) How I combat the splits is she has two knit "dresses". The first one is slightly smaller and goes right up against her after getting her close to size. (She actually has shoulder blade panels and is very customizable.) The second "dress" goes over all of her padding give me a very solid and smooth pining foundation. I have used her for draping happily for going on 12 years. Great video!

[@debbralehrman5957]

What a good idea. I was trying to think of a way use one my daughter had got that is adjustable. Thanks.

[@annalisajames6558]

Sooo glad I watched this prior to purchasing a dress form! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@sensibilitypatterns]

I've used both adjustable and static forms over the years, but I pad both. Padding is so key to get the right shape. When I did custom sewing in the 90s, the number one complaint from my customers about off-the-rack clothes and most standard patterns was that the proportions are totally off the higher you go in sizing. So true. Just because you have a larger cup size doesn't mean you have linebacker shoulders. 🙄 I also love padding to allow for corseting a form. I've used the Fabulous Fit padding system, but it's really cool to see how you use batting and towels. It works!

[@jannapolzin3241]

This is incredibly helpful, thank you for posting! I’ve added padding before but not while paying attention to proper shape and proportion. I think taking pictures of my body and dress form at certain angles and comparing them might help to visualize where I need to pad as well. Sometimes my eyes and a mirror can be deceiving!

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Glad it was helpful!

[@felicitygee381]

Thank you for including the plus size reference at the end, I am in padding hell and have been there for 2 weeks and you have given me so much feedback to questions I couldn't answer myself. I almost wish I had seen your video earlier, I may have just adjusted my dress form to her smallest size with zero gaps and padded up from there 😕

[@carolempluckrose4188]

That's an excellent idea, thank you. My large expandable dummy really needs me to start over again. She might be one of the lamented dial-a-size variety but using your idea will solve her sizing issues and my need for something solid that I can pad to look just like me!

[@toymenagerie2947]

Thank you so much. I don't know why I never got this idea. I have scoliosis and always was so frustrated. This will help so much!

[@ninad205]

I came for info in sizing up but I learned sooo much about proportions! Thanks for the video it is fantastic as always:)

[@TheVintageGuidebook]

This was super helpful! I have a very disproportionate figure than the "standard" but didn't want to spend a ton getting a customizable dress form or having to paper maché it up. Thank you!!

[@oceanlizard]

Until today I thought I would have to jump through hoops to have a dress form with my proportions. Thank you so much for this. It's soooooo helpful

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

No hoops required! Unless you're doing 1860's ;)

[@angelaplatts]

Amazing! My too small dress form arrived this morning, which I bought with the intention of padding it up to my size - and this suddenly appeared as one of my recommendations!! Thank you. :o)

[@donnacobb701]

I just received my dressform and I was wondering how I was going to make it like my body. Thank you thank you !

[@TheRoseLine]

I’ve been wanting to pad up my mannequin for some time now and haven’t found the exact way to do it until your video. Excellent instruction. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.

[@shaynaformity1384]

Thank you!!! I have been interested in knitting clothes for myself, and I've watched a ton of videos and read many books, and they would throw around terms like, if you're high waisted or if you need more here or there. I had No Idea whether what they were saying applied to me or not, because they never said what the standard number was. I haven't wanted to spend a hundred hours knitting a sweater that wouldn't fit me, and then not knowing why it didn't fit or what to change. Now I get it! You explained what those terms mean, while showing a physical form to compare, The form I ordered shipped yesterday, and now I know how to adapt it to my shape and I'll be able to adapt knitting patterns/recipes. I'm so delighted! Can't wait to start swatching!

[@carmenita7583]

I like the way you padded, and explain your technique. Thank you🌷🌞🌎

[@brittamai5367]

Wow! This comes to a perfect time for me. I was already thinking about making those adjustments to mine, for really using the form. Thank you very much!

[@wdwnutjm]

me too - kind of crazy timing!

[@lauraleecreations3217]

Britta Mai sane with me! I got a ‘uniquely you’ form when I was a teen(19). Three children and nearly 30 years later... it’s totally not my size! This is going to fix that!!!

[@joycedingman]

I obtained a dress form when I bought a pattern business 25 years ago and it was fine for the business as it was a size 12. I am more like a 24 and was thinking padding it out, but didn't exactly know what to pad it out with. So now I have the knowledge of HOW to do it and with WHAT. Thank you very much for this video!

[@joycedingman]

Sold the business, kept the dress form. It is wearing a dress I made when I was 18 :)

[@madeleinena5476]

thank you! I just found an adjustable dress form with a "FREE!" sign on the side of the road, and now i can make it my size!

[@wendyroseartist2178]

I agree on the expandable form, I got one for Xmas, and thought I loved it. Got rid of the box, and now can’t return it. So, I’m watching you to learn how to pad her up. I seriously think I will close my form up completely and just pad the whole thing, then cover it after padded. New follower

[@loriar1027]

This is so timely! I just tried to do this to mine with quilt batting but it ended up really lumpy. So then I put one of my old body shapers on it and started shoving pillow stuffing it. That was even more lumpy.

[@teresaluna1936]

Thank you! Very helpful for my changing body as I am aging.

[@mogulsm]

Thank you for this, I've been looking for this video for years.

[@charliecrow6817]

who else is here from morgan donner? lol so glad i found this channel

[@liv97497]

This is such a good video! The best one on the subject I've been able to find. Thanks!

[@alyokin]

Thank you so much for this! I’m so happy I discovered you. Excellent job explaining very clearly! 🤗

[@wendyhutchins945]

I have watched several videos on this topic and your is, by far, the best. Thanks so much! :)

[@bethduffus4598]

This is a really helpful demonstration. Thank you.

[@maryblaylock6545]

Totally aces! This will truly help my dress making. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and blessings without number for all the help you have given.

[@susiecarson]

Thank you for this! I’ve been looking into padding out a dress form for a while. Very helpful.

[@calilibrarian]

Wow this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, I have just discovered you and I see that I have many happy hours of videos to come. YAY!

[@rebeccaharden2196]

Thank you. I’m 4’11”. A size 16. I’m so glad to find this!

[@kitkatstitch]

Thank you for sharing this! Padding out a dress form has been such a mystery to me.

[@jacquiemcallister9585]

This was really really good

[@AmericanDuchess1]

Excellent video! I needed this!

[@kcullens]

So so so helpful! Thank you very much!

[@emmastromgard9415]

This was great! Thank you!

[@annesummers09]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@sowaseedoftheword4560]

OMG...Thank youuuu! I needed to know how to shorten the waist and was stumped. This is so helpful!

[@kissmekate14]

Basically materialized what I was planning in my head! Now I see it will work just fine. Now to acquire said dress form....

[@misswazzra]

Thank you so much, such a great tutorial!

[@biancarademakers2875]

Thanks for the explanation. Going to buy a new dressform tomorrow so I can have one with my corseted measurments and one with my natural size. Now I know how to pad the form with corset thanks to you.😃

[@WaterNai]

This was so useful, thanks!!

[@judithritner9696]

Thank you sooo much for this video. I like your method and how you adjusted her. I might be able to find a used form for a lesser price since I will be making my own shape. 🤗

[@pitterpotterhousedebilane]

This was a great informational video and just what I needed. Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@wendylakin5469]

Thank you so much . I managed to get my dummy the same shape as me.

[@lindynearman2595]

Hi, this video is so informative . Thank you for it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep on keeping on! Happy sewing! Lindy

[@Maggie_R]

Thank you so much! My dress form is on the way and this will be so helpful in getting it to look more like my current situation. Thank you!

[@braunmar7]

Helpful thank you so much!

[@greenshambroc]

Thanks so much for this video, I had no clue what I was doing and this helped a lot!

[@appydaysquilts]

I'm so glad I found your video. Thank you! I've watched so many that are rambling and not helpful on the subject. Now I know what to do about the vertical measurement difference between me and my form. Also, using the pre-quilted white fabric is genius, and I just happen to have an entire bolt of it.

[@vilhelminavandark3507]

I won't built the whole dress form by myself to fit my measurements. This is so helpful and I'll definitely try it. Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@arieldeshotel2016]

This was so incredibly helpful! It really cemented my decision to pad a pre-existing form rather than make one on my current size and shape (as it is in flux). Thank you so much for this thorough and insightful video - incredible appreciative!

[@FlavorsandTextures]

Excellent!

[@jojobtrcook1808]

Thank you so much. I learned a lot!

[@debbralehrman5957]

Thank you Abby for asking for this. And thank you for doing this. Morgan Donner suggested your video.

[@suemitch05]

I had just ordered an adjustable form when I saw this video. I’m now ordering a static size and will pad up. The restrictions of the gaps at cf, cb and sides for pinning were well explained. Thank you for a brilliant video!

[@genettemora4325]

Thank you! I just got a dress form that I needed to pad out a bit.

[@sakka0]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have been wondering how to do this for ages. I was generously gifted an expandable dress form and couldn't figure out why the shape wasn't really working when using the dials. Adding a corset made it even more problematic. I had no idea how to pad either. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@brigidscaldron]

I do have a collapsible dress form, but it’s vintage! I’m going to do a Bootstrap dress form COVER to give her my dimensions.

[@user-gl4kk9fe6z]

Great job, the best Ive seen. Thank you.

[@scottydogism]

That was the easiest to understand along with the actual visual of padding up a dress form. I just got a dress form for the first time. I wish I had seen this first. I got one of the split ones. I am soooooo happy you talked about the upsizing breast part and how because of my dress form that would widen the chest causing not what I wanted. I just think your a wonderful teacher. Thank you for teaching us novices.

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@barbiedesoto7054]

Handy video! Thanks.

[@melissascripts]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LatelyFashionable]

This is SO USEFUL! And luckily I have some of that quilted batting already on hand, because I save everything. :p Thank you for showing this in such detail!

[@drhelenloney1426]

that was really helpful, thanks very much!

[@christinas7506]

Thanks for this! Your video gave me some much-needed information & so it has been such a major help. I've tried sewing some of my own padding "parts & pieces" in many of the same or else similar shapes to what I've seen in the [very expensive] dress form padding kits that I've found for sale online. So I used those pieces along with an old body shaper & bra on top of lots & lots (& *lots*🙄) of "stuffing/padding", & so far that has actually given me a pretty good start, but with everything that I learned from your wonderful video here, I am confident that I can now make an even better dress form with much more precise OVERALL measurements & in all the right places as well, in order to get a near perfect match!😃 This video has been just great👍🏼...THANK YOU AGAIN!!

[@rozalinenelhams8307]

this video has helped a lot thank you so much. I was thinking of getting a adjustable dress form and now seeing this video I'm not going to get a adjustable form. it will just make it easier to pad up the form and will save me money.

[@carodeux]

thank you. Very very useful.

[@sewhealthy560]

This is wonderful information. I just got rid of a collapsible dress form. They use to be the only ones you could find at a decent price point. I bought a Roxy form from Amazon that seem to be much better andp. I have the fabulous fit system that I used to pad up the Roxy form. It’s a great system and you can capture all your lumps and bumps. The nice thing about the fabulous fit system is there is a nice cover to put over the padding and it’s very smooth.

[@susanhall8496]

I've just bought a dress form as near as I could get to my size...i have a full bust...this is very useful for me to perfect my size on the form..thank you ❤❤

[@CaitlynBianchi-ig]

Oh thank you!

[@WendyHopper]

Thanks for this incredibly useful information! Thanks for including common plus size alterations. :)

[@Fairyfink]

Very useful indeed. I padded my (adjustable) UK 22 form along with this video and it really helped me. I am a UK 22 but the dress form did not adjust to match my measurements. One old bra; 2 yards of batting; four large bra pads and half a dozen large shoulder pafs later & i have a decent match. Incidentally, the form is so surrounded with batting, there are no gaps remaining on the adjustable form so can pin all over!

[@published1789]

Incredibly helpful. I was so close to ordering an adjustable form. Even if I had to wait a bit, I've always been able to get help pinning and fitting things in evening sewing sessions or a class but that is so not an option right now (Covid-19 and all). I have simple 2 dart bodices where I'm on my 3rd toile ... just can't crack shoulder slope, bust adjust and all the other fitting options on my own. So ... definitely not an adjustable form. Your comment about gaps exactly where you'd want to pin sealed it!

[@girliboi]

you'd think more manufacturers would offer a standardized "petite" form with a shorter torso.. there's obviously a market for it when experienced designers/dressmakers consistently find the most common issue they encounter is forms being too long (not EVERY designer/costumer/shopowner is dressing a standard 5'8" fit-model).. i have the opposite issue, Simplicity has my proportions at a boys' size 14/16, but the height of a boys 18/20 (no i'm not a growing child, and yes shopping is a nightmare).. the smallest male forms are too large, while the female forms are too shapely.. the child forms actually have the "goldilocks" shoulder-chest-waist-hip ratio for me, but they run way too small, so modifying any of the aforementioned options would literally be more work/less effective than just making one from scratch.. i finally found an old one on ebay that i'm guessing was probably intended as a "teen"/"junior" display form (no obvious way to tell if it was supposed to be male or female), which is just about perfect, but it was definitely a journey getting there..

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! I have a new project on the list.

[@BateriAnka]

This is amazing! I want to take my sawing to the next level and all the dress forms are expensive and/or I cantt find one with my mesurements. I have one that my mom had but its 3 sizes to small for me and I was lookinf for ways to make it fit me. Thank you for the amount of tips that you've put in the video. Your demo literally fell into my hands in the right time :)

[@mbailey2774]

That was sublime, thank you. I wish I had seen this 12 months ago before I spent $$ on my fully adjustable form. No small surprise I’m all at odd when trying to use it.

[@RedthreadedCorsets]

Glad it helped :)

[@ABC1701A]

This would also be a great option for people like me who are, hopefully, trying to loose weight. You can easily lose padding with the weight. Your form isn't very proportional either. As a UK size 8, those were the days, my measurements were 32-22-24. So her waist is too large for the bust and hips. Good video and this will solve my problems of how to cope with the intended weight loss.

[@lizh1955]

I'm with you! As much as I've wanted a dress form, I've resisted the DIY option because I'd have to do it all over when I reach my goal, not to mention the changes from now to then. Several years ago I bought a book on couture techniques. It mentioned that they will pad the form to match the customer's figure but didn't go into where to start or how to do it. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for this!

[@annak1371]

Thank you!

[@thebrownbikegirl7905]

Just want to say thank you! For the technique and the realism about where us plus size ladies really carry our weight.

[@barbaraselletti6520]

Thank you so much for these tips! I gained (a lot) of COVID weight so now my dress form is way too small. Your second form is now my size and I have a better idea of how to had it effectively.

[@HeatherBryant22]

New sub here. This was very informative, I appreciate you doing this video! Thanks @Abby Cox for asking her to make the video!

[@elle9275]

Thank you so much for making this!! It would be amazing if you could make another video specifically about the corset changes you mentioned. I found it hard to imagine the bags of rice. :)

[@r6600]

Yep, really good vid. I've watched a few tutorials on dress form padding, styles, construction etc, and yours is probably the one with the most appropriate info for anyone to watch if they're new to the whole 'finding a suitable dress form' debacle lol. I too came to the same conclusion that it's probably better to buy a form slightly smalller than my measurements and then pad out to correct proportions.. after all, if one of the standard measurements of the form turns out to be too too large or dramatically different to our corresponding body area in shape, then we cant sculpt into that area to bring it down to a smaller size or shape on the actual form. As you said, we don't all increase in dress size proportionally. Our weight distribution, skeletal structure and posture is different for every person. Funnily enough, your example form turns out to have almost my personal measurements! Weird looking at a version of me on KZbin 😳 Haha! Thanks again for taking the time to create this vid. Happily subscribing to your channel. Your content suits me to a T xx

[@cedainty]

In my professional sewing days I had several clients with odd measurements. In order to keep costs down I frequently inserted pads in the actual dress I was altering. One client had very bad scoliosis and I was able to make her dress look amazing on her. She was more than pleased.

[@racheltandy8642]

This was fantastically helpful, thanks! Could you also do the larger model please? And have you ever padded adjustoforms? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[@ArtBeatKathie]

Another great tutorial! Thank you! Annndd another reason for being able to pad up/down/alter a form--- many of us have flutuations in weight and size because---hormones/life/chocolate---er, ya know. Investing time and money into either purchasing or making a form that is one set size, and not being able to easily amend it is peak frustration

[@pheart2381]

Maude arrives next week. I might have to improvise a stand but she has a socket for the pole.

[@kzisnbkosplay3346]

Gah, I tried using a fluffy blanket on my second hand adjustable dress form. It is a bit of a disaster. I need to do something different. But air soft pellets in a bag stuffed in a well fitting bra worked well!

[@iamtheonewhocares]

I'm so glad I watched your Little Women video so that this was in my recommended! I've always put off getting a dress form because as a plus sized woman I just know there's no way that form is actually going to be shaped like me! Even those printable ones can't be accurate enough to be worth it. Now I'm going to find a close match and just make it shaped like me by myself! Tysm!!!

[@mcomeslast]

My expandable works great. I adjust close, cover the gaps and finish padding out. Haven’t had any issues with my measurements or proportions. I use both batting and a dress form padding set. Gave me a knit cover and I can change the fit as I lose weight. I’ll make a zip up cover once my weight is stabilized.

[@mnels5214]

Thank you for this! My mannequin is really long-waisted and...uh...perky, and I wasn't quite sure how to handle moving the bust down a bit. So, so useful.

[@mimzyriepensell1423]

Thanks for this, I was wondering how to pad the forms.....I have a vintage one that is made of paper mache I think....lol...with padding and muslin covering.

[@PjMeh]

I have no idea what's going on, nor what sorcery you speak, but I'm here for it. 😁 Hope my watching & like helps. 💜

[@MissJoaniB]

Thank you for this! I bought a dressform (her name is Stella and I love her already) but she doesn't match me QUITE right so this is super timely!

[@suzismith9681]

I purchased an adjustable dress form...this thing is hopeless! Like you said it stays the same. I did want it for just me. Purchased 2nd hand( now I know why the previous didn't want it!) Then the stand broke...oh give me strength! I'm looking for a new me! Lol. Thankyou for all the information, its great

[@nanettebromley8843]

Thank you for such an informative video. I'm looking to get a dress form and am struggling to get anything close to my size. I'm a plus size 32/34 and looking at the largest solid dress forms I would end up with more padding than actual form. Adjustable is closer but would still need to pad the heck out of it. Before anyone suggests getting one of these DIY forms. I am disabled, I do not have the mobility or dexterity to build one of these things. A good idea for those that can.

[@mog-gyveroneill2500]

Thank you soooo much!! I'm a now weird size UK 8-10 with hints of 12 in the shoulders(due to an accident to my spine)...yeah! I used to be size 8, so building up my mannequin in certain places make TOTAL sense!