Sunday, November 29, 2009
Dressform question
Back in early October I received some birthday money and the recommendation that I use it to buy a nice dressform. I don't really know where to start, but know I don't want one of those flimsy adjustable types from the local fabric shop. I have about $300 (or maybe a bit more) to spend. Have you any tips or suggestions? Know of any great places to buy one? Should I save some more money to get something super nice?
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Check out Uniquely You form, it is foam with a cover you fit to yourself and zip on. Sew Vac Direct online in College Station is where I got mine from. It was under $150, so you could have some leftover for a serger! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! I love your blog. It's funny you should mention this. Mimi "Myraida" posted info on facebook about her form that was custom made to her measurements. The link is http://www.andysdressform.com/index.html. You can call for info. I think it may be a little more than $300 though. BTW I started my own blog and so please feel free to check it out or even follow it at http://tenthousandsewinghours.blogspot.com/. God bless and keep up the great sewing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was just about to suggest checking out Mimi's blog "Myraida" that Victoria suggested above.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteIt's Mimi :) I was going to tell you to check out my friend Andy in NYC..lol his work is amazing and it is just under $400 but let me tell you it is worth saving another $100 and getting one according to your exact measurements and body shape. I sent him a pic of me and he used that and my measurements to build my form and it is exact in every way..kinda spooky actually..lol. His website is www.andysdressform.com and tell him Mimi sent you.
Alas, I don't have a dressform either. But when I used to take sewing classes, a lot of the women I knew had Uniquely You, which they swore by with the caveat that you probably need a friend to help you get the cover fitted properly as the one-time setup is challenging and somewhat time consuming.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my humble opinion nothing can really mimic fitting something on yourself .What I do is wear the garment and fit it on myself with pins.Save the money and get a serger instead.It would save you much time putting bias bindings on garments or finishing seams.
ReplyDeleteI've sewn for thirty-five years. In September, I bought a dressform. Based on what I was reading, I bought it smaller than me and padded it up. It may not be top of the line but it is FANTASTIC. I have no idea how I sewed without a dressform before. I still need to fine tune the garment on my body but the dressform is an amazing tool. My fear in getting a duplicate was changes in body size. I've since lost weight and have dialled down my form so I'm really glad I went this route rather than a duplicate of my body. Here are the posts about buying and setting up my form with a link to the one I bought. Hope they help - Myrna
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com/2009/09/emily-millicent.html
http://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com/2009/09/add-size.html
http://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com/2009/09/little-black-dress.html
Hi Amanda, You have made some beautiful items! As to the dressform, I have a "Uniquely You". It's about 30 years old and not exactly my size anymore but I did use it quite a bit. It's great for the top half of anything you are making. You can drape on it, pin on it, press on it, and hand sew on it. I think being soft is an advantage. It was especially helpful when making Tailored jackets.
ReplyDeleteI have an adjustable dritz dressform and it is helpful with fitting issues, don't know what I would've done without it. There are so many dress forms to choose from each having its own feature that works for the individual sewist. Check out the different dress forms such as the adjustable, pneumatic, or non-adjustable and from there you will be able to narrow down the choices. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I just bought a dressform at PGM (www.pgmdressform.com, I think) - I went in person so I got to meet the people. I bought a black dress form much like you see on Project Runway for 189 (in person) but I could have gotten a professional one (exactly like PR but in linen) for 319. They are 399 and 299 respectively, I can't tell the difference but they do have some older forms but are perfectly new for the under 300 range. I think you can get what you want - and I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a price reduction!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I do agree with NIKARPHAR, but if you want I really think you can get a PR quality dressform for a substantial discount - they had RTW size 6 starting a 99. . . for professional forms. . .
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my website with pictures of my visit:
http://pammieandtheps.blogspot.com/2009/11/visit-to-las-fashion-district-and-pgm.html
Fabulous Fit. They are super. Great covers and pads to go over a form that is as nice as a Wolf. I have 2 actually, one a dressform and the other a collapsible pant form. The dressform I got nearly 12 years ago and it's great. They have them at all price ranges, and have some discounted because of imperfections, so check the whole site through.
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do with a dressform but there's not a "contact" you button on your blog...therefore....By chance were you at a MOPS meeting this morning? I won't list where for privacy reasons, but you had on black pinstripe pants? I'm thinking that it was you. It was one of those moments where I wanted to say "hi" but was to shy to do so. Your blog has really helped my sewing ability immensely. A person reads a blog and realizes that they are in the same area, and never once thinks that you could meet the person. But then again, if it wasn't you, then I've made a complete fool of myself...
ReplyDeleteCarrie - YES! It was me! How funny! You are the first person to have ever recognized me out in the real world. (As a side note, I don't know how to add a "contact" button to this blog. Perhaps I should ask hubby for help. I'm not the most computer savvy person.) Anyway, I hope that you are there next month and we actually get to meet in person! :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
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ReplyDeleteI also have the Fabulous Fit form. You can shape it via padding and it works quite well. Due to incredible weight gain (which I am working on, believe me), mine is now padded with a beach towel, gym pants, and a sweatshirt, but the concept still works. :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fabulousfit.com/
I forgot to mention getting someone to help you fit the UY cover or plan on it taking a while, but you adjust (sew) the cover seams to fit you, then the foam molds to it. The bust is pretty full as is, but you can shave them off with a bread knife or just adjust your cover a bit more. If you change, you can adjust the seams to remold the form or buy another cover if it's that big a change. Good luck!
ReplyDelete