How to Make Your Own Sewing Dummy

If you have ever modified or sewn your own clothes, this sewing dummy will make your life much, much easier. Imagine never having to try things on until they're done!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good friend
• Rigid Wrap (plaster-coated cloth strips, as used for mask-making or casts) - you will probably need about 4 rolls, but better to have too much than too little!
• Shallow tub of warm water
• Scissors
• Old bra or ace bandage
• Fabric athletic tape
• Old towels to protect floor

1. Lay down old towels or work in a private outdoor space. If you are worried about getting plaster on the bra, wrap plastic cling wrap over it. Wrap a towel around your lower half to stop drips (it's probably best just to wear some old panties, as they may get plaster on them anyway.) Wrap the towel where you'd like the dress form to end; I put it where my jeans sit, to make sewing shirts easier.

2. Cut the Rigid Wrap into strips of about a foot each. Ends work best if they're cut at an angle. Cut one of your rolls of Rigid Wrap into triangles to cover curved areas and edges.

3. Have your friend wet the Rigid Wrap and apply it to you, starting at the shoulders and working down. Complete a thin layer all over first, then apply another layer over that placing strips in a different direction to strengthen the form.

4. The dress form should be shaped like a sleeveless turtleneck. It should stop where you would place shoulder seams, and should reflect the circumference of your neck for sewing collars.

5. Once the entire form is applied, sit still for ten to twenty minutes. You should feel the plaster pull away from your skin as it dries, and as it gets stiffer you will be able to wiggle around a little inside.

6. As soon as the form is dry enough to maintain its shape, have your friend carefully cut it off of you. Start at the bottom sides, and cut each side up to the armpit. Then cut from the top of each shoulder to the sides of the neck. The form will then come off of you in a front and back half.

7. Allow the form to dry for 24 hours. In order to maintain the perfect shape, place the two halves back together and wrap around the entire torso with an ace bandage, so it can dry standing up.

8. Once the form is completely dry, wrap the entire dummy in fabric athletic tape. The tape both holds the form together and provides a fabric surface to pin to.

Tips & Warnings

• Wet only one strip of Rigid Wrap at a time for best results.
• The completed dummy can sit on a table, or for dressmaking can be raised. I raised mine to my own height by putting an old broken floor lamp up through the bottom.
• Cutting the form off is the most hazardous part; use blunt scissors, or have your friend place their hand inside the form, between the blade and your skin.

[dittosaur]

on 12/13/2008 That's a really good idea, I would have never thought of any other option for a dressform. I think I might try this!

[Kylara]

on 11/6/2008 What a great great idea. I have always wanted a sewing dummy, but they are expensive This couldn't be more custom made. Thanks i gotta go order ridgid wrap.

[Handmadedreams]

on 10/22/2008 Wow that looks like a task that I am not ready for.