What You Need To Know About Using Adjustable Dress Forms 

So sweet of your friend to give you such a gift! They are definitely keepers and I don't think I will ever get rid of them!

That’s so great! I’m so glad this was helpful for you! 🙂

Christa Berit so glad you found it helpful! I know i really wish I had a heads up on those things when I bought mine.

Love the name of your dress form 🙂 I love my adjustable ones and they have proven to be very helpful and accurate when making garments for others!

Hi! I know this is a late question but what brand did you buy and do you still recommend it? Also if it's adjustable, why did it need padding? I am new to dress forms and looking for a little bit of help :)

I bought the one sold at Joann's. I believe it was the brand adjustoform, but if I am wrong I think they only sell 1 brand. Dress forms need to be padded out because they are made to a set of standard measurements and don't account for the natural curve of a person's body between those measurements. For example on a patterns listed measurements I am a size 18 but they never fit me correctly because I am extremely curvy between those measurements. So I have to adjust the pattern so the line of the garment looks nice. Typically it looks very baggy around the torso if I don't. Dress forms are the same in that they are shaped to a standard. The padding helps add the shape while the form itself provides a solid base. What worked best for me was to adjust the bust measurement to my under bust and add a bra that I stuffed to the correct size. I then added a layer across the rib and stomach area then like 2 layers of padding at the hips and like 3 at the rear cuz u know real body. Additionally the shoulders were slightly too narrow so I added about a quarter inch of padding where the shoulder blades are. Also something I didn't think about it at the time but measure your neck to. My form was a medium and the neck and underbust were a few centimeters to big but overall I am seriously happy with it. Some people don't like this type of form cuz u can't pin directly into them. They are a hard shell covered in felt/fleece. If u decide to go this route you can cover the padding with a tank top. I used a typed of batting that was made for outside upholstery. Its similar to quilt batting but an inch thick. U can fit test your final results by trying on a favorite garment that you are familiar with the fit of. I re did the fit of the padding 3 times before I got it right. Also another thing just be prepared to really see yourself. It can be a but hard at first but after a few days I found it to be a bit liberating and exciting to be able to make things that fit me even better than ever before. Sorry for the absolute novel but I hope it helps.

One more thing. I realized that I implied that you can not pin on these and that isn't true. You just can't stick the pin in so that it sticks straight out it has to run parallel to the body of the form. It's usually only a minor inconvenience for me during draping. During a fitting to adjust something it doesn't matter at all because the pins only go into the already constructed garment.

Thank you for the tip. :) I do use this method to adjust my mannequins, but I adjust them so much that the key eventually does wear out. Over the course of 3 years, it weakens the key even if I push in. :(

Love those names! :)

Yes me too!

Tossed Salad good question. I haven’t had too much e patience with male adjustable dress forms but I did find this on eBay: www.ebay.com/i/254609691179?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254609691179&targetid=917369565584&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9009968&poi=&campaignid=9343999095&mkgroupid=103102733908&rlsatarget=pla-917369565584&abcId=1139336&merchantid=113083334&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-5b7u4yP6gIVTZyzCh3AtgNBEAQYBSABEgJ2g_D_BwE

Vurtonable that’s not a bad idea 👍🏽

Lol definitely not alone! :D

Yes it is! I always loved that nick name :D

Yay!! How fun!!

I'm not sure, but it's possible that the fixed sized dress forms are that way. I've never seen one, but I'd be enlightened if there was!

Oh no! One of the things that did help me with my keys that broke is using a Phillips flat head. You still have to be careful not to shred the key hole, but it works if you’re careful.

Louise Jones thank you for the input. I have already been making that adjustment to my newer videos.

@@thetailorette Totally agree with Louise. Videos with background music are annoying. If someone wants music, they can turn on their own music.

Hello! Good question! Each measurement can be changed individually. I have not had an issue with adjusting my mannequin so long as my measurements are within the range the manufacturer says that each measurement can go. I hope that makes sense! The bust doesn't have to be adjusted with the waist or the hip etc.

Andrika Smith- Walker good question! So I found that a little screw came out of mine. I had to rescrew back to the inside, but then something snapped and mine is permanent.

I think the brand name is dritz

@@thetailorette thank you!

Oh no! Such a bummer! Perhaps you can return it?

Megjc_1 interesting! A metal one? Is it a vintage dress form or brand new?

@@thetailorette I actually have no idea! And it was trashed when I got it so we will have to see lol

Megjc_1 sounds like a vintage one. Hope it all goes well! 😃

@@thetailorette thankyou!!

Good question! However, I do not add any under garments to my dress forms. Instead I like to adjust the dress form to the measurements I've taken with me wearing the undergarments. The dress forms are a bit limited in some ways, but to fit to a customer I don't have in person, it is perfect. :)

4vrceltic good question! I actually don’t purchase a lot of muslin but I know that you can order several yards at a time from fabric.com

Thank you! Love your videos. You have an easy voice to listen to and an informative delivery that's pleasing to watch. My favourites are your longer videos. Thank you!

@@4vrceltic Thank you! So glad to hear that you are enjoying my videos. It's hard knowing if it's good content when you're talking into a camera with no responses until you post the video. I appreciate the feedback! Keep bringing on the questions and recommendations. :)

Amazon has muslin as well I order from it alot

Well mannequins aren’t alive so corpse would be fitting!

Krisztina Cseh yes! you can pin to the adjustable dress form as well

@@thetailorette Thank you for a fast reply

Krisztina Cseh I’m happy to answer any questions 🙂

Mrssmith Smith I love that! So perfect 👌🏼

I like that. Seems to fit well 🙂

Good question! I would like the answer as well? Is it best to start inexpensive, or just go all out and buy an expensive model? I promise not to buy one with the keys! Thanks for the great information!

Milly Da Mermaid lol Nice if you but I wouldn’t want to do that to you 🙂

Thank you for your feedback. If you see in my recent videos I have cut more that %60 of my music out.