Thread: dress making dummy recommendations

Hi all
well I am thinking of getting a dress making dummy with my birthday money does anyone have any recommendations or pitfalls I should look out for.
People say you don't need them but I am feed up braking my back over things that look right in the mirror when they are pinned only to find out I have sawed it in the wrong place after hours of work.
So any help here would be great
Thanks
Diva x

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My recommendation would be to buy one from ebay - I did!!!!!

They tend to go for quite high prices so if you see a 'buy-it-now' one go for it!!! That's how I got mine after months of being outbid on auctions.

kisses
PixieParasol

Get one! They're so useful for pattern cutting and fitting. They can be expensive but I prefer the covered wooden ones. The cheaper ones that are hollow I find can be a bit finicky and fall to pieces on you. I don't think they're very durable.

xxx x

If your thinking of buying New then I'd go for the Diana...I've been using mine for 25 years its still in great working order, it also had good use before me as it used to be my Mothers.

UKSEWING.COM Diana dress form adjustable sewing dummy

Absolutely, definately buy one!!! Especially if you have problems with your back. I would be completely lost without mine - go for an adjustable dummy - The non adjustable forms tend to be very small - if you do buy second hand make sure the adjusters are all working properly. I have an Adjustoform Superfit Small

Here are a couple of sites for info, not sure how competitive price wise they are so do shop around https://www.fluidmediagroup.co.uk/dr...x.php?cPath=21


Ladies Standard Dress Forms - Adjustoform Dressmaking Dummy Page - Sew Essential

Good luck XX

Oh thanks ladies
Diva x

If you will mostly be making for yourself I'd go for a solid one (in your size obv)- they last much longer and you can pad it to your shape for a perfect fit ( I put a stuffed bra on mine as they don't come in my boob size 32 G!) Adustables are great if you are making for all different sizes but a solid form holds it shape better and is what we use in the theatre.
Vi
xxx

Originally Posted by Miss Annie

Absolutely, definately buy one!!! Especially if you have problems with your back. I would be completely lost without mine - go for an adjustable dummy - The non adjustable forms tend to be very small - if you do buy second hand make sure the adjusters are all working properly. I have an Adjustoform Superfit Small

Here are a couple of sites for info, not sure how competitive price wise they are so do shop around https://www.fluidmediagroup.co.uk/dr...x.php?cPath=21


Ladies Standard Dress Forms - Adjustoform Dressmaking Dummy Page - Sew Essential

Good luck XX

I've had an Adjustoform from new, and that goes back to schooldays.
Sorry about this Annie, but I call the dummy, er..... Annie.:lol:
Diva, I hope your back is feeling better. Do try and get yourself a dressmaking dummy. And, there is a little gizmo that you can buy that you attach to the centre pole of said dummy, it's called a powdered chalk puffer. When you have made anything with a skirt hem, and you want to be sure that the hemline is accurate, the chalk puffer will mark out the hemline to geometric perfection. No more asking his uselessness if the hem looks straight, no more temporary tacking and no more being stabbed by those bloody dress pins.
Do let us know how you get on.

Originally Posted by Broomstick Pilot

I've had an Adjustoform from new, and that goes back to schooldays.
Sorry about this Annie, but I call the dummy, er..... Annie.:lol:

Haaa haahaaaaahaa - Fabulous!!!!!

LOL I love the idea of the stuffed bar thank you VI thats such a funny image in my head.
To be honest Broomy my other half is better at all this kind of thing than me he can make a pattern from scratch and can use a sawing machine those things terrify me, I no its something I have to overcome.
Thank you so much ladies you have given me lots of good ideas.

Hugs
Diva x
Ps my back is much improved as has my mood my friend gave me a great massage last night, have had a lovely birthday