National Thread & Supply carries all of the above forms. They are user friendly willing to answer questions and their delivery is speedy. Call or write for a free catalog. National Thread & Supply 695 Red Oak Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 1-800-331-7600
I'm often asked if a dress form is useful when sewing and my answer is always "yes". A dress form is like a serger, once you begin using one you'll wonder how you managed without it. A dress form is a time saving device in the sewing room. It will save you lots of time when fitting and making alterations especially if you make garments for others. With the correct measurements it's almost the same as having the person there to try the garment on. You can learn to make garments without a pattern by draping fabric on the dress form. The form can help with garment design also. If you want to change an element of a pattern but are unsure of how it will look you can pin fit it on the dress form and see exactly how it will look later. Some types of fabric manipulation are made easier with the dress form. These are just a few of the ways a dress form can help in the sewing room. Once you become comfortable with it you'll find other ways to use the form.
There are several dress forms on the market, some have a soft surface which makes for easy pinning while others have a very firm surface and pins won't penetrate it. I prefer the soft surface dress form because not only can I pin fabric for pin fitting a garment,I can pin batting to the form to accommodate other shapes and sizes.
Many dress forms are adjustable, others are not. The adjustable dress forms give much more flexibility especially if you sew for others. Dress forms that are one size are good for fitting sample garments. In the majority of garment making you will need the ability to make the form larger or smaller. Using the adjustable I can regulate height,neck,bust,waist and hip measurements. No one dress form is one size fits all. They generally come in sizes from petite to full figured, with each adjustable within a specified range. Some have a greater range than others. The form you choose may or may not come with a built in chalk skirt marker. There is also a form for those who sew more pants and/or skirts. It is not adjustable in the same way the dress forms are. The pant/skirt form uses covers to accommodate size difference, and comes with one cover. The cover is pinnable and you can press on it.
We don't want to leave the men and children out, there are forms for them also. The form for the men is also adjustable in the chest, waist,hips and neck. You can change the height in from shoulder to waist. Although it is made of a hard plastic it is covered with stretch nylon.
The child's dress form is also adjustable, is pinnable, has a hem gauge and operating instructions. It has measurements for children six to ten years old.
Keep in mind some dress forms duplicate your measurements and shape closer than others, but the choice is yours.
Dress form prices vary but most are very affordable and are available at many fabric stores and by mail order.
These are some of the better known brands available:
National Thread & Supply carries all of the above forms. They are user friendly willing to answer questions and their delivery is speedy. Call or write for a free catalog. National Thread & Supply 695 Red Oak Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 1-800-331-7600