So we're going to try & make a formal dress *Latest Pics Post #101*

[DawnSuiter]

I bought the WalMart Martha Stewart Singer model last night for $87

and, I have some fabulous material scraps from my vow renewal (unfinished table cloths) that will make a lovely ivory dress mockup!

 

[DawnSuiter]

The duct tape dress form (as instructed by Mimi Goodwin) is complete! It took about 1.5 hours to get her all taped up, we watched "Dark Water" while doing this to help keep us focused on something other than all the tape & time it took. Worked great, we were done before we knew it!!!

Today, we'll be stuffing & creating the base for it.

Here she is

 

[NanaKat]

The foundation garments worn while making the dress form....was it the same as she will wear with the dress you are making...or will that have much bearing on the outcome?

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
No.. and I dunno.

I mean.. I took the form to mean her shape, a precise and accurate accounting of her shape (as much as duct tape can do anyway) and so the undergarments wouldn't matter.. unless of course for some reason they placed the boobs in the WRONG place, if you know what I mean. But she's young, and doesn't much yet need support but still I had her wear a suitable bra, because frankly it made covering the boob part much less awkward

and to make sure that we got a proper shape in that area.

We're going to put the undergarments ON The dress form, mark those lines with some ribbon and then pull them off and shape our top keeping in mind the location of the undergarments.

I'm quite pleased with it, stuffing it now.

 

[NanaKat]

That was my concern...a "regular" bra can sometimes give a "lift" that is different from formal attire bras.
Since you will be able to use this dress form for many more projects for a while, it makes sense to mark it for the formal and make those adaptations.

Nice progress on a Good thread...keep the info coming!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Thank you for looking out for me, and maybe any others who might try and attempt this feat.

We've gotten her all the way stuffed now just need to fashion the bottom and double check the measurements before we close it up.

I've used a men's jacket hanger, very durable plastic hanger, and a scrap of PVC pipe. We will use a christmas tree base and a block of 4X4 post as well.

The post goes into the christmas tree base, and the post also has a 1" hole drilled into the top of it a few inches deep. The PVC pipe will slide into the post. I might be drilling some holes into the pvc to create a way to make the form taller & shorter.

The base will take a few more days I suspect with all we have to do, but photos will follow.

 

[insiderart]

Wow looks great! Nice and smooth. If she's wearing heels adjust the height accordingly!

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
I don't htink you are

i am the same way. I feel like if the other person can't see it they won't gauk at it. I have embarrased many young and older men for looking at my girls. I'd rather be outdated and stay that way, don't change

 

[agnes_day]

thanks!
i have updated a little bit though..i used to wear cape dresses and now i just wear regular ones.

 

[DawnSuiter]

I finally got the dress form mounted!!!!
I used a 2" steel pipe for the base, which is what is in the christmas tree stand. The PVC pole for the form slides inside of the steel pipe and is held steady with a PVC cap ON the steel pipe.

It's sturdy, turns and while it is taller than she is (we can cut down the pvc if we want to) I marked the christmas tree base with her height and as it sits right now is the perfect height for her formal dress with heels.

The dress shown is just a dress from her closet that I gave her from my own closet, fits her better than me as I've put on a few pounds this last year.

I decided NOT to cut a cardboard or plywood base for the form because well frankly I found the whole concept hard to wrap my head around. So, I just closed it up like the neck & arms. So far so good!