All About Dress Forms 

So glad you mentioned the difference between the number size on a dress form and that same number on clothing

For someone who knows nothing about draping, i love hoe Zoe explains everything so crisp and clear. Awesome video ✨

According to my draping professor, Wolf dress forms are good, especially if you can find a vintage one in good shape for a good price (emphasis on good price). The only caveat is that the spring that adjusts the height can sometimes lock up if you're not careful when raising. Other than that, The Shop Company (TSC) is recommended as a budget new/ used alongside PGM

In love with your fashion tutorials! I'm curious if you could provide some insights or tips on how crochet enthusiasts can survive and outstand in the realm of fast fashion ?

1. The baby mannequin story is exactly why inlole to put my dress form in front of my entry door when i'm home alone. I like to think it's going to fall over and scare off whoever breaks in haha. 2. I agree with the adjustsble forms, i started with one because of the lackmof space for many different sizes but needing a different range of sizes to meet the needs of my orders. What i have found helps with pinning is if you make a body suit for the dress form to cover any gaps thst may be present. This way you can still pin over the gsps. Is it perfect? No, but it works in a pinch. The other thing that i have noticed with my own adjustable forms is that the panels have a tendency to stop ligning up after a while. They all have a purpose, but if you can swing the cost then definitely saving for a good form is ideal.

My PGM forms are asymmetrical same as your student noticed. If I recall around 1/4" differences. Not enough to really cause trouble. In other news the "uniquely you" brand is no longer available. They were the soft foam ones that you customized the cover to your measurements. They were great to pin directly into whereas you can't with hard forms or adjustable. There is Royal which is soft fully pinnable although they're exponentially expensive compared to the "uniquely you." in addition "uniquely you" were very short waisted and had a hunched forward posture which I saw first hand caused problems when making custom gowns fit properly. Another thing I pay attention to is the undercut of the bust. As in are you able to properly put a bra, bustier or cupped corset on it. The adjustable forms are very generic in the underbust princess line and cause you to have to go back and make fine tune fitting adjustments once you've seen it on a real body. The only good thing about adjustable forms I can say is that they give a good bust shape in c cup and larger. The best way I've been able to use adjustable forms is to sew a spandex cover that fits over once the dials are how I need them. Then draping tape can establish cf, princess ect. Still not the best but works in a pinch. I can't believe it's 2024 and with all this technology we don't have soft forms that are accurate and affordable.

I was looking at getting a dress form for myself recently. It's like you read my mind.

Thank you for this video, Zoe! Because I only sew for myself, I purchased a form from Amazon, which works great for me. The sizing is close to my size but a little smaller.

You are so wonderful and full of info and tips. I never get enough of learning from you. So grateful!!!

Thank you Zoe! Looking for more videos on draping from you!

You rock Zoe! Always informative and very entertaining, Thanks!

i love royaldressforms

Thank you, Zoe! That was really helpful. You are so generous with your knowledge, and I really appreciate all the work you put into your videos. I've learned so much from you!

Back during one of the lockdowns I was able to hunt down a half-sized form for a good price. We're in a small one bedroom, so as much as I would love a proper mannequin we just don't have the space. Thank you for reminding me to get back to finishing the padding. Learning how to drape, especially on bias, is on my to-do list for the summer. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

OK, yours look is seriously serving, just need to say that before watching

I literally just bought my first dress form! Loved hearing you talk about dress forms, sizing etc. Very helpful. Almost wish I had watched this before I purchased mine, my girl's size seems to run a bit smaller than the standard. But, I'll make it work!

Thank you Zoe Hong. I always love watching your videos 👍

I would love to learn how to drape. It actually looks cool. I know how to do flat patter making but as much as it's fun to do, but it is time wasting I don't want to lie.

Extreme budget idea….I’m not a professional nor a design student but I’m a newbie sewist and wanted to try a dress form to see what it was like and to help me with fitting things for myself. I did not have the budget for most of them but I found a used adjustable one on Facebook marketplace for $20. It didn’t come with a stand but we created one from an old microphone stand that my husband had. It works for now and yes, I dream of getting a professional one some day.

As always, great content.

Just yesterday, I came to understand that PGM is going out of business so keep your eyes open online for discounts on their forms.

I use mine to help fit. I have an adjustable and some kits to pad them out. It’s awesome when I can’t see what is going wrong on the rear armscye. I have considered a 1/2 scale but can’t justify the price considering I don’t have a use for it. I plan on making arms for mine with a moulage this summer.

Great video Zoe Hong it is good to know they why of getting a specific Dressmaker Form and you explained it very well! A while back I remember a conversation with a made to measure designer and back then we thought it would be great if companies that manufactured dildos will do the forms will be great as it will yield similarly to the real body, but Alvanon now also offers the Soft body so never mind. Thank you Zoe Hong for all the great content you make and share in this wonderful channel of yours!

Zoe, as always! As I see your video - I’m just happy! I have one dressform from Royaldressform - Monika ❤️ However, over Covid and years I was growing up from her 😢unfortunately; But I really like your advice - to test the fit on her(!) and I’m still trying to get back into my Monika 😜 because yes, they are kind of pricey to get another one))) I also have a scaled version Betty - while studying now - I was able to create the base form of straight skirt for now! And actually noticed that those main lines were a bit not parallel to the ground - so everything should be checked!!! Hope to continue with other base clothing forms and modeling and draping for Betty! And then for me (in my Monika’s size 👌) But the main message of my long comment - is - I just love your videos! That’s magic! Really - when I see a new video - it’s just like 🎉 Thank you for your work! ❤

Best dress forms in South Africa are definitely Figure Forms! 😍

I’m wanting to make my own custom form, I want it to look pretty & have a specific fit.

Look it!!!! Thank you for sharing. I have a dress form I got from a Salvation Army Thrift store over 10 years ago and only pay $10.00!!!! When my dad saw this dress form, he said " What are going to do with that form? It looks like S**T!!!! I didn't pay attention to what he said. I brought the dress form and cleaned it up and padded it. I still work on this dtess form. Keep up the amazing work and have a wonderful day!!!😊 Robin N Otis -Clayborne

Love your videos, Zoe! You're amazing. Have you ever used a Stockman dress form? or is that only a european thing in couture? Thanks!

I’ve owned two dress forms, both were by The Shop Company. I think their forms are good enough as a start, however (at least in my experience), the forms can be quite uneven left to right. For their price you’d likely be able to find a lightly used PGM or Wolf, which is what I would suggest instead. Currently I’m looking for a used Alvanon form. I almost got one for $400 in amazing condition but was one day too slow. Side note: if anyone has advice on where to look for Alvanon forms (websites, regions, etc), please let me know.

I also got my dress form in 2006. She’s moved with me SO MANY TIMES

I bought an adjustable dress form and used it a couple of times on people who were closer to the original form wit needing very little adjustments! But when I tried using it for myself and had to increase to 2 sizes up, I realized the numbers might match but the body didn’t! Ex. The breasts are small and no matter how wide you increase the number the breasts would not get even close to my size! 😂 So I decided to use it as the core for making my own DIY dress form! 😅 And thanks for the video! ❤❤❤

This is great! Thank you! Please share similar info on mannequins. Where can we get similar to the ones at Target or Macy’s, for example?

where did you buy the 1/2 scale dress form?

I've more often heard that the problem with the adjustable forms is that they're a thin fabric layer over hard plastic, which makes it unreasonable to pin into them. The gaps observation brings a whole 'nother dimension of why they're not a decent option.

The plus size forms I've tried to look up are sooooo expensive and they don't even go that high. My problem area is my bust and those form companies seem to think that really big women don't have proportionally sized breasts.

I have a few questions. If you are making for runway models/ editorial models. What size should you be purchasing?Models seem to be on average 31"-32" bust , 23-24" waist, 3 4"-35" hip based on model agency listings. Hoping to buy dress form which eliminates a lot of the fitting process with models. Dress forms always seem too busty for runway i.e. B.33" , w.24", w35" . Wonder if they are including ease in the bust?

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Should I get one with wheel? Will it be annoying if it move around when draping?

where can I get an affordable dress form

i love your account..

Yes,I have adjustable dress from and its horrible

Nah man that baby form sounds creepy I’d run away 😭😭😭

Tenderloin 6th street?? God bless you

Those have size mannequins are eye deceiving.no ma’am