How Can I Make a Dressmaker Form?
- 1). Put the t-shirt on. It should be long enough to extend down below the buttocks. Hold your arms out and have your assistant make a mark at the center of each armpit, then a line down the sides, marking the mid-point of your sides.
- 2). Have the assistant make another line that runs down your spine, marking the center of your back, and a line across the top of your shoulders, forming a T. At the front and back, have the assistant make another line marking your natural waist. You will use the guide marks to make the body form.
- 3). Have the assistant make the duct tape shell by tearing 6 to 8 inch lengths of duct tape and covering the t-shirt, molding the shell to your body. Two long pieces will be needed to make the center front and spine of the shell.
- 4). Keep the marker handy to remark guidelines as they are covered with duct tape. Adhere tape in an "X" shape between the breasts, but do not tape over them. Do not tape the arms or get any tape on the skin.
- 5). Cover the form in three to four layers of tape, extending down below the junction of the torso and legs. Leave a couple of inches of t-shirt untaped at the bottom.
- 6). Have the assistant use the scissors to carefully cut the t-shirt open at the back using the guideline at the spine. Gently remove the form from your body.
- 7). Use more duct tape to reseal the back by taping the inside and outside of the form. Make sure it is secure so it does not separate when you stuff the form. Cut a small piece of sheet or muslin to cover the neck hole. Tape into place. Use the rubber bands to tie off the arms at the shoulders.
- 8). Stuff the form tightly with fiberfill or cotton batting. Fiberfill is much less expensive and lighter than cotton batting, so it is the best choice. Another choice for filling is recycled plastic grocery bags, but you would need a large amount of bags. Stuff the form to the bottom of the tape-line at the junction of the torso and leg.
- 9). Make a table-top model by gathering the bottom of the t-shirt together and taping in place. Push the arms of the tee shirt inside the form and tape flat. Put the bra on the t-shirt and snap in place at the back. Fill the cups with fiberfill, cotton batting or alternate stuffing material. Use small lengths of tape to cover over the bra.
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