I totally needed one of these! Amaze new mannequin!
A while back I got an email from The Shop Company; they make dress forms and display equipment for stores, photo studios, etc. as well as professional body forms for sewing. I've never had a dressmaking mannequin before, and I sometimes get questions from readers about what I recommend (see How to buy a dress form). Cara from The Shop Company suggested this one for a sewist like me, and sent it over!
Look at this beautiful thing...
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The lever lets it move easily up and down, and the cage keeps skirts and dresses from collapsing at the hem as you work.
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It came in this mysterious, large box, right before Christmas. Husband and I were both afraid to open it at first, if it might be a present!
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But nope, it was the dress form, in two or three pieces--it took literally like 3 steps to put together, very simple. Just the feet and raise/lower lever. Very heavy, though, and great quality.
And now it's ready to hold lovely things I make for myself!
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I'm so excited to start using it!!
Have you had successes with using a dress form or pinnable mannequin? What are the major benefits to you? Or, are you like me, having gotten along for a while without one?!
I didn't receive any compensation for this post, just the dress form for a review.
I'll be keen to see how you find it. I was researching dress forms only today and am still no closer to finding one that will suit. BTW love your blog
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty dressform! I have a dress form and I use it a lot to make sure the hem is straight and to determine the length. I used a lot more a few year ago. But with all the fuss of moving and unpacking I didn't use it that much. But I got a great book about draping for Christmas, so now I'll be able to use it a lot!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dressform! The cage is a really nice touch. i hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have a place to put it that doesn't scare the life out of you when seeing it in the dark. :) I swear I had about 4 heart attacks every time I saw the silhouette of my dressform in the dark. It would always get me, having me think someone broke into my house. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a dress form that is adjustable, so I am able to dial in my bust, waist and hip measurements. However, there are no adjustments for length of the back or position of the bust line. As I am moderately short (5'3") and my bust is about an inch lower than the form (and most patterns), I find it useless as an aid for fitting, which is what I wanted it for. The only thing it is good for his hemming. I noted that the your new form comes in specific sizes, and has no adjustments, so that it will only work for people whose measurements match the company's chart, which mine do not. Personally, I think a dress form that truly matched one's figure would be a huge help in fitting, especially for those of us, who don't have anyone to pin things on us. I would love to find one at a reasonable price that is made to order.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I was wondering if you owned a mannequin. I have never seen one in your photos so I wasn't sure. That is great that you were given a really nice mannequin. I just got one for Christmas from my hubby. I recently got back into sewing clothes. I made a few outfits back in the days in high school when I was in 4-H. Now, I've been more interested in sewing more clothes. About 7 months ago, I was sewing a cute top without a pattern and I needed the straps to be placed correctly on my top. I didn't have a mannequin then and I used my husband to help me pin the straps. Big mistake!!! Straps came out crooked!!!! When I told him what I wanted for Christmas he got me my gift. He even said, that when I sew clothes things don't always come out straight. It's a great thing, that you now own a mannequin. You can pin your outfits with ease and let them sit on the mannequin for days. I'm so happy I now own a mannequin. I can see how my outfits are going to look and where the adjustments need to be made. Enjoy your mannequin. I decided I want to name mine!!! Haven't chosen a name yet!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo is it made to your measurements? I've been debating between one that looks beautiful (like yours) and the one that's ugly but adjustable to my measurements so I can actually use it in fitting garments. It's gorgeous, by the way. Definitely a dream!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really nice looking dress form. We had amazing ones in college, but I couldn't afford a nice one once I graduated. I have a crappy "adjustable" one that a college roommate found at Goodwill and one that is basically Styrofoam on the inside that I bought on ebay. Maybe someday I will get a nice one!
ReplyDeleteNICE!!! I don't design clothes but I want one just for decoration lol. I have one now but its not nearly as nice....it's leaning all to the left haha.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh my gooooooodddd! I've been wanting a Wolf form like the ones we used in school, but this one is the closest I have ever seen to one that doesn't cost $500. Oh man! I really must buy one of these. I have a dressform already but it's really janky. Just a normal one you get from Joann's. Aaaaahhhhh! Thanks so much for posting about this!
ReplyDeleteI am totally jealous!!!! I have always dreamed of having the ability to afford a dressform like this, but we all know that wanting and having are 2 different things. Plus having a plus size shape like mine doesn't help. Enjoy your form and keep the blogging going!
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty for decor as well! I bet you could fix the base to make it straight..!
ReplyDeleteThat's better than nothing! eBay is a good idea!
ReplyDeleteNot made to, but I picked the size closest to mine. Then you can pad or add where you need to.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Straps are hard, and husbands don't pin well in my experience!! ;) I haven't named mine yet either!
ReplyDeleteooo you lucky thing! It looks like a really gorgeous one!
ReplyDeleteIn the old days, I sewed everything I wore and I had a fantastic and expensive foam mannikin that I fitted a zippered cover for. No kidding, it was the best, and I only could afford it because it was on sale at the Navy exchange. In those days they actually had fabric departments! When I went back to sewing after a major move and lifestyle change, I found it had dried out and shrank...and i lost part of the stand. I am back to sewing and am considering getting a replacement. I think it was called "uniquely you" and they run about $190.00. Hard to find. Amazon is out of stock.
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience, my s.o. used to put it strategically in front of the window, back-lit at night! It never registered that it was headless!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Owning a nice dress from is pretty great, I have to say. For most home sewists, I don't think a form is a necessity, but they certainly are nice to have! They make fitting sooo much easier, and if you're interested in draping you can't go without one. I was a fashion design major, and had to buy one in college… and not just any form, we had to buy these fabulous handmade Italian forms for $800. They have legs too, so you can use them for pants and undies and swim suits and such.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Melody
www.valleyhaberdashery.com/blog
Looks amazing! Does it fit your body measurements? If not, are you planning on adding padding in some areas?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Ooh, I'm so jealous!! What a lovely dressform! Mine is a junky one from Sears or somewhere; it's just velour-covered plastic, so I have to insert pins sideways. :-( Plus, I have nowhere to put a form *sigh*. But it would also look lovely just holding jewelry/handbags so it could potentially do double duty!
ReplyDeleteI donno girl...it's leanin' pretty hard! Lol. I actually tried to fix it last night but its broken on the actual form. ;( Probably from all my moving.
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