Here's How to DIY Your Own Dress Form
(Credit: Ancien-Nouveau)
Nothing compares to the feeling of wearing a garment you’ve made yourself. Enter the importance of the dress form: having another “you” on hand is invaluable when tailoring and sewing your own clothes.
Though there are many professionally made dress forms out there, they have their downsides. Professional dress forms cost upwards of $500+ (gulp!) and with set measurements end up excluding those of us with unique body measurements or proportions. Adjustable models are more affordable and allow for some play with measurements, but the adjustment range is quite limited.
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But fear not, you can make your own dress form! That’s right, a dress form that follows the contours of YOUR one-of-a-kind body, for the fraction of the price of a store-bought counterpart.
There are several ways to DIY a dress form. Here we go over how to make a paper tape dress form. Unlike duct tape versions which become sticky and misshapen over time; and plaster cast versions which are supply-, labor- and time-intensive; paper tape dress forms maintain their shape, require only a few hours of your time and a handful of supplies. So let’s get to it!
Supplies:
Gummed Paper Tape (also called Kraft Paper Tape): this brown tape has water-activated adhesive on one side and can be found at any office supply or art store
Sharp scissors
Damp (not soaking wet) sponge
Optional: Clothes hanger if you want to hang your dress form versus standing it on a surface
A snug fitting, long sleeved turtleneck that reaches past your hips to sacrifice to the crafting gods (you will be cutting the paper tape and this shirt off your body)
A trusted friend or loved one to wrap you in tape, perhaps your DIY partner in crime!
Preparation:
Pre-cut your tape into strips of various lengths: shorter strips for the curvier areas of the body (like your bust, shoulders, and hips) and longer strips for the flatter areas (like your back). Cut more than you think you need! Doing this ahead of time will make the wrapping process more efficient.
Make sure your hair is tied up and out of the way.
As the tape dries and hardens, you will feel constricted. Keep some water nearby and crack open a window for fresh air.
You will be standing in one place for a while, so wear comfortable shoes.
Right before the wrapping process: use the bathroom! It will be a couple of hours until your next opportunity.
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Tips for the Wrappee:
1. Repeat to yourself: Posture! Stand up straight, firmly plant your feet, and no leaning on one leg.
2. You will be immobile for an extended period of time, which is the perfect opportunity to work on those patience skills!
3. As the tape dries and hardens, you will be slightly uncomfortable. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize: your own custom dress form!
(Credit: Threads Magazine)
Let the DIY begin!
1. Start at the bust: Wetting each strip as you go, apply one layer horizontally under the bust, then above. Apply shorter pieces of tape along the bust (vertically then diagonally to follow the shape).
(Credit: Craftster)
2. Tape around the neckline and arm holes.
3. For the back, first apply strips of tape in a V shape along your shoulder blades. Work down the back and continue around to the stomach.
4. Keep wrapping! Remember to slightly overlap the tape as you go along, and make sure that each piece of tape lies as flat against the body as possible. Alternate between horizontal and vertical layers, for a total of 3-4 layers of tape.
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5. Once the tape has hardened enough to maintain its shape, draw a guideline straight down the middle of the back and CAREFULLY cut through the tape and shirt.
(Credit: Instructables)
6. After the wrappee has shimmied out of the dress form, insert the hanger into the form (optional). Seal up the cut in the back with tape, then tape over the edges and into the interior of the form to smooth out the openings (the armholes, neck, and bottom).
7. Celebrate! Stand back and admire the new “you!”
(Credit: Squishy Lab)
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