I Made a Dress Form from Scratch: Here's How It Turned Out!

Рет қаралды 13,857

Күн бұрын

Follow along as I tackle the creation of a custom dress form, sharing both successes and setbacks. From sewing torso and legs, building PVC pipe support, to cost breakdowns and measurement comparisons, this tutorial provides valuable insights for DIY enthusiasts and sewing aficionados.
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Discovering Bootstrap Fashion
1:51 - Printing and Cutting Pattern
2:24 - Cutting the Pieces
4:15 - Sewing the Torso
7:09 - Sewing the Legs
8:31 - Sewing Stabilizers
11:02 - Sewing Zipper
11:33 - Cutting Sponge
11:49 - Stuffing the Torso
12:08 - Stuffing the Legs
12:50 - Attaching Everything Together
13:16 - Measurement Comparison
14:04 - Cost Breakdown
14:34 - Issues and Final Thoughts
Bootstrap Fashion Full Body Dress Form: patterns.bootstrapfashion.com...
Bootstrap Fashion Dress Form: patterns.bootstrapfashion.com...
Pellon SF101: amzn.to/3SVC8Om
Polyfil 5lbs: amzn.to/4bTj2Bw
Separating Zipper: amzn.to/4bJTO8x
Flange 1 inch: amzn.to/4bT1oxq
Pipe Nipple 1 x 12 inch: amzn.to/3SVC8Om
JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing Machine: amzn.to/46NkkLR
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on a link I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you
#diy #sewingtutorial #sewing #bootstrapdressform #dressform #diydressform #sew
Music
'Ice Cream' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Reawakening' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Hymn To The Dawn' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Reverie' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Пікірлер: 42

@quiquileroux7856 3 ай бұрын

Great video with honest results. A rarity these days. Thank you.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

You are welcome. I wanted to focus on documenting the process and adding notes I wish I had at the start of this project

@karingrif7238 3 ай бұрын

Hey little cookie, sorry I didn’t get your name. You would need to pull out the stuffing and use a quilting batting I think it’s called. Use that first and cut your shapes of the legs again. That will make the legs a smoother finish.(. don’t pull this stuff apart ) that should give a smoother effect. ….then use your stuffing pieces again on the inside of the legs….hope you can understand what I’m saying.its a great effort…if any of the sections don’t seem correct make the section again,,,,,I know it’s so much work…..otherwise you won’t be happy. You could always use shapewear over the top to add a little more bulk …😊

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for the suggestions! I'm considering redoing the dress form. Using quilt batting seems like a promising idea, though it does require quite a bit of effort. If it helps smooth out the legs, I'll definitely consider it. Additionally, I'm thinking of completely redoing the torso, adjusting the pattern with accurate back width and front shoulder to bust measurements. Maybe I'll revisit this project in a couple of months with a fresh perspective, redo it, and then post a part 2! 😅

@artsymaddieDIY 3 ай бұрын

This is so detailed, honest and helpful. I hope you come back to it. It’s always heartbreaking when things don’t work out the way we hope, even after all the care and attention to detail. I had no idea you could get a pattern made for dress forms. So happy to find your channel 🤗💗🌟

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

I too was excited to find the Bootstrap fashion dress forms. Personalized patterns based on your measurements sounded great. But it didn't turn out as expected. Still, I hope others can learn from my experience and have better results 😊

@rosefeel_vlog 20 күн бұрын

I find this very beneficial!! thank you for sharing

@veg-hb3kt 3 ай бұрын

Little Chookie you did a great job even though you are disappointed in the end result. New subscriber over here!😊

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🤗

@seestellysew8472 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your detailed video. I’m in the market for a full body form and this video really helps.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Glad it was of use! I too noticed that there weren't any reviews of the Bootstrap full body form so I wanted to share my experience. Do you think you'll go with Bootstrap or another dress form?

@seestellysew8472 3 ай бұрын

@@TheLittleChookie Yes, I think I will. I’m full figured, I like to refer to myself as lush, and a custom body form for me with arms and legs are in the thousands. So I believe that even though it will be quite a bit of work and a few hundred dollars, it’ll be worth it. I’m going to follow your suggestion and make a mock up first. This is something I have to do with all patterns, even the ones I self draft so, it isn’t a negative to me. I’m hoping to do it this April as I’m extremely busy in March, I will post it to my channel and refer back to yours, if that’s okay with you?

@maykolbenites5349 21 күн бұрын

Another point to take into account is that when cutting without first having fused the fabric, it will shrink after fusion, altering the exact measurements. First it has to be 100% cotton denin which is processed so it will stretch less and second is to fuse it before cutting, another point is that the seams are blunt towards one end that will make the seams more reinforced like the "Royal Dress by Poluterano" In that case the whole pin goes in and you can see that it is pointed to a side that is convenient according to the seam. Another point is that you can take out the mold of your body with paper tape and from that make your mold based on the prototype you made. If you don't make the video, I was thinking of doing 1. If not, I know how to obtain the internal reinforcement. Why do I only have the perfect mold for the external part and how can I access my internal part and calculate it?

@patriciakellyadams134 3 ай бұрын

The odd boob problem is a common problem. People usually put one of their bras on the form and stuff the cups. It works well. I've had a dress form for me and my husband for several years and recently added one for my granddaughter so she can sew her own stuff. I only wear dresses because dresses flatter my apple shape best so no legs needed. And the husband gets only shirts made. I'm not going to tackle zip flys. People normally name their dress firms. I thought it was weird but then i found myself referring to mine as Mr and Mrs. Granddaughter is of course princess.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Love the names of your dress forms! Thanks for the tip, I'll try out the bra and stuffing. Though I'm a bit worried that it will merely distribute the problem into other areas.

@ROQa-bw2jh 3 ай бұрын

I liked this, I will try it. Thank you for showing me your video

@aledrea_ Ай бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts! I did a bootstrap dressform about a month back and encountered a lot of the same issues. While it came out alright, the breasts were too low, and there were other minor issues. Personally I wish I had put the money aside to save up for a really good quality dressform instead of making my own. While I’m glad I got the experience of making one I’m disappointed since I don’t trust it enough to drape or get an accurate enough fit.

@saltdoll5288 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for posting.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Hope it was helpful!

@kimjohnson5400 3 ай бұрын

I love the spreadsheet! Subscribed.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Ahahaha, I do love my numbers and charts 😅

@elinordrake9716 3 ай бұрын

Useful, thank you!

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful 🥰

@ebbypatterns 3 ай бұрын

Very honest video....Thank you for sharing

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

You are welcome! I'm trying to provide information I would have found helpful

@djthompson1971 3 ай бұрын

Excellent video. I’ve been hoping someone would do the full body bootstrap form. I have purchased 2 bootstrap upper body forms (2 years apart) and both had the same issue as yours - way too long from back neck to bust point. My dress form boobs hang way too low 😢. (I’ve noticed this with just about every single one of them I’ve seen in photos and on KZfaq also). It’s a lot of work to then realize that the entire project needs to be altered and re-sewn. It’s also very costly and hard to get a smooth finish. I’m currently experimenting and making a bust form (free download I found) with EVA foam instead which is pin-able but also firm and can be filled with expanding foam and then a soft knit cover can be added over top to make it more aesthetic. If it works out I will film it 😊. Thank you for sharing your beautiful job! Sorry it didn’t work out perfectly but it will still be a nice form to display some me-makes in your sewing studio!

@mckenzielangendorf1437 3 ай бұрын

Wait that actually sounds promising, would u mind sharing where u found the download?

@djthompson1971 3 ай бұрын

@@mckenzielangendorf1437 You Bet! I am linking the tutorial for a form made of cut & sew bra foam and in the description there is a link to the bust form only (I don't know what the language it, maybe german??). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/otB5pKaK05uvn4k.html

@djthompson1971 3 ай бұрын

@@mckenzielangendorf1437 If you search EVA foam mannequin on YT, you will find videos on how to do it. My plan is to make the bust form in EVA foam and then sew a soft cover and fill it with expanding foam. If that works, then I will re-do my Bootstrap mannequin this way (after adjusting the fit a bit)

@mckenzielangendorf1437 3 ай бұрын

@@djthompson1971 oh my gosh thx sm! I’m so excited 😆

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Glad others are finding the video helpful! It's unfortunate that Bootstrap Fashion hasn't addressed this pattern issue despite it persisting for several years. I just watched the AFI Atelier tutorial you linked and saw the Timelace Studio pattern. I have not seen that before and I love the contour shape of the pattern pieces. I would absolutely be interested in seeing how yours turns out. Now you got me thinking about making a second dress form 😅

@lydzphens 3 ай бұрын

I have been working on my own form. Torso only, and it has been a real chore. I was considering the bootstrap, but decided against it, because, what I noticed in the countless youtube videos of people making their custom forms was that the shoulders look too high. So I'm assuming that that is the "back to bust" mesurement you mentioned in your video. The other issue is the lumps from the filler. Im worried my form will have this same problem. I do hope you decide to revisit this project, I'm very curious to see how you approach the issues you have with it.

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Yes, it appears that the high shoulders in Bootstrap forms is connected to discrepancies in the 'back to bust' measurement. Despite encountering this issue, I've found great encouragement and inspiration from the comments and suggestions provided here. I'm considering giving it another try in a month or two. What pattern are you using for your dress form? Have you considered incorporating a layer of batting to smooth out any lumps? Some other comments have recommended using a layer of batting, although I haven't had the opportunity to test it myself yet. I'm curious to see the results of your approach!

@arelis1108 2 ай бұрын

I have two dresses formed that I have made and what I learned to avoid the lumps is to used thick fabric and well as lined the fabric thick interfacing

@emiliegaborit Ай бұрын

Good morning, I bought the full body from Bootstrap Fashion and I've done it three times now, I'm desperate...and I have exactly the same problem with the width of the back, it's much smaller on the mannequin than the measurement that I sent. Did you find a solution? thank you in advance for your help.

@JIFD 3 ай бұрын

That was great. Thanks for posting :) Sorry it didn't exactly work. Le sigh.... but hopefully it proved a useful experience for the updated version

@TheLittleChookie 3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed! I think it's a good reminder that not every sewing project works. And yes! I already have far too many ideas for my second iteration 😅