Imagine spending a huge amount of money on a luxurious new item of clothing for a social function, only to notice someone wearing exactly the same thing! If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation you are aware of how embarrassing it can be. There’s also the issue of quality. If you no longer want to pay exorbitant prices for uncomfortable, poorly made clothing, there is a simple answer – make your own!
While the idea of creating a hand stitched outfit may seem a touch formidable, in reality it isn’t as difficult as it seems. You just need a little bit of practice and the right equipment. In addition to a good quality sewing machine, a critical piece of equipment is a tailor’s mannequin. This is the case for both a beginner and a skilled dressmaker. While a lot of people utilize a simple pattern when making their own clothes, it often turns out to be a bit of a disaster. This is specifically because the pattern is created to fit an ‘average’ shape, and as everyone knows, everyone’s body is different. While you might think that you are a specific size of clothing, there’s a distinct possibility that a couple of areas of your body don’t fit what is considered the industry standard. A dress form allows you to change the form in accordance with your particular figure. This is particularly handy for a person who has a larger chest than average, or a small waistline. You attach the pieces of your pattern to the dress form, and then adapt them to fit your size. This allows you to customize the clothing, enabling you to get the perfect fit.
If you aren’t making use of a pattern, a dress form is super for giving you inspiration. Many individuals discover that by merely putting the fabric on the form, they come up with a fantastic idea for a new outfit. The dummy enables you to see exactly how the cloth falls, which is very handy when you are creating something that has pleats or folds. Material drapes in different ways depending on its weight, and you can only get an exact idea of the way it will look on your body when you use a tailors mannequin. Making alterations to clothes is extremely simple, as you work with the piece while it hangs on the mannequin. This is way less challenging than attempting to use a one dimensional pattern piece, which can become very time consuming, and opens you up to making little errors. If you would like to make a complex piece of clothing, for instance an evening gown or a full length jacket, you will only be able to accomplish it correctly if you can witness it coming together on a 3-D form.
Dress forms are available in a number of choices, built out of foam, wire or fabric. An adjustable mannequin gives you the option of altering the bust, waistline and hips using your precise measurements. You can also increase the length of the torso, accommodating someone’s height. A foam or fabric dress form is suitable for either a beginner or someone with experience, as you can pin the pattern or fabric directly on the form, allowing you to make exact alterations without worrying about making a mistake. You are also able to pay attention to how the garment is shaping up, meaning that you can change things depending on your specific needs. An adjustable dress form is particularly suitable for someone who makes clothes for a living, as you can adjust the shape, allowing you to make outfits for a number of different clients.
Whether you are inexperienced at sewing, or you are have been making your own clothes for years, a dress form is invaluable. How simple it is to create a one-of-a-kind outfit will astonish you, and you can finally stop buying the badly made, hugely expensive outfits that you see in a department store. In no time you will be stepping out in style!
Melissa C Wheeler has worked inside the sewing and dressmaking business for several years providing suggestions and tips relating to buying a dressmaking dummy at Dressmakers Dummy