Duct-Tape Dress Form #2

October 24th, 2008 in fitting     

by David Coffin
from Threads #75, p. 39

Leah Crain, a dressmaker and costumer from Cincinnati, OH, has another take on the duct-tape version of form making. You can find her complete directions, including stand ideas, photos, plus comments and questions from other sewers, on the Internet (www.leanna.com). Leah's forms look remarkably like their prior "inmates."

Leah Crain's duct-tape forms are close matches of the originals. Like duct-tape dress form #1, this one uses three layers of tape.

Here are the highlights: You'll start with a similarly underclad wrappee, but Leah suggests cutting off one sleeve from a second T-shirt and basting it onto the first to form a neck cover. Start wrapping under the bust, snugly, then proceed to a "cross-your-heart" taping that goes from one shoulder under the opposite breast then around to the back, to define the bust area. You'll use three layers of tape, with the second arranged vertically, but wrap more snugly than for Joyce's method, and extend the wrapping around the upper arms and onto the neck, always keeping the bust contours well defined. Mark the final layer carefully with plumb lines at center front and center back, around the waist, and carefully establish the proper height and posture by marking the same distance from the floor to the hip level on four sides, then cut the tape shell up the back as usual.

A strong wooden hanger placed inside before stuffing is the start of either a hanging form or a simple stand. For a stand, use a piece of PVC piping or a cardboard tube long enough that you can cut it to your height when the form is ready to set onto its base (you can use a Christmas-tree stand on the outside of the tube, or a microphone stand inside the tube). Tape the hanger to the tube and put it inside the form before stuffing it, then start stuffing by supporting each breast with a glued-in foam raglan shoulder pad if the bust contour needs the additional support (larger bust shapes may tend to cave in over time). Tape the opening at center back closed as you complete the stuffing, then use the hip markings to help arrange the form on the tube to match the wrapper's posture.

Start under the bust. Wrap the midriff snugly, then do a cross-your-heart taping to define the bust area.

Cut a cardboard base using dimensions from the wrappee, and cut a hole in it so it can slip up the tube, then tape it in place. Stuff and tape over the ends of the sleeves and neck where you want them to end, then compare measurements from wrappee to form. You can adjust the form by cutting slits to form darts, squeezing the form to the new dimension, and retaping.

A sturdy wooden hanger set into the top of a PVC or cardboard tube gives support to the shoulders. Stuff the finished form with polyester batting. A sturdy wooden hanger set into the top of a PVC or cardboard tube gives support to the shoulders.		Finish with a cardboard base. Cut the base to the same dimensions as the wrappee, and tape it in place.

More dress forms:

Introduction
Duct-Tape Dress Form #1
Molded Papier-Mâché Form
Paper-Tape Dress Form

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Comments (11)

lynetttt writes: To add a bit of strength I added bands on plastic packing tape ( the type of plastic strapping that binds big parcels) made to the exact measurements they stopped any sprawling that enthusiastic stuffing caused. Posted: 7:16 am on September 17th

ceolabryant561988 writes: okay so i just tried this and it's awsome! I had to add a little more boobs and A LOT more butt to my duck tape dress form after my family finally got me cut out lol but with some of the quilting poof added that easily and ducktaped over it.

My grandfather, who taught tech classes at the university I go to, and who is always coming up with interesting stuff, used an old Christmas tree stand, the kind that comes with a fake tree you have to put the branches hooked into holes onto attachments on their pole (alot of words lol) and used the indentions on the pole to kind of "grab" the stuffing in the dress form on the inside and hold it up better.

two important thoughts: put the pole inside the dress form BEFORE stuffing it, it's a pain to try to do afterwards

and don't tape too tight, you cant breathe lol

one very important thought: don't try this as a party game or while intoxicated!!!! I was completely sober and still acted like an idiot once wrapped in duck tape cause it was so fun:) What is it about being wrapped in duck tape that makes one want to run around and be filmed? lol Posted: 10:10 pm on September 7th

Costume_Witch writes: I was thinking of making one of these for myself, but I live so far away from all my friends and family. I am going to try to make a series of directions for doing this yourself, but with changes. I need a dress form that has arms down to almost the elbows and a little of the legs too (I'm making a lot of very exact costumes). If I can get it done properly, I will make another post the directions on my own website. Reading this has given me ideas for how to go about making my own dress form.

~~Costume Witch Posted: 2:35 pm on August 31st

EagleOne writes: i want to do it, but I dont have anyone that is willing to wrap me up in duck-tape. Go figure! Anyone live in the Clinton Twp MI area that want to do this too? email me
Vjotte@hotmail.com

Thanks Victoria Posted: 12:51 pm on August 25th

jackee writes: I have a preformed form, but my measurements now exceed the same. I was looking for a low cost way of altering the one I already have. This method might work. I am new to adjusting patterns and ask how you go about adding in ease when draping your fabric on the form?
Do you I purchase a store bought pattern, layout and cut out the fabric from this pattern, then drape it on your form for adjustments? Any assistance in this regard would be helpful. Thank you. Posted: 11:51 am on August 3rd

futureDIOR writes: this is great if yoour younger and still growing then u can use the paper maicha one beacause its more detailed i make my own clothes cuz i finit hard 2 find clothes 2 fit me because im pettitethis will make it so much easier thanks Posted: 10:17 pm on May 31st

rkr4cds1 writes: I TOTALLY agree with DARKSSYDE about using the expanding type of insulating foam; however I partially filled the center with crushed & balled up newspapers first. The foam had room to expand inwards into the paper and outwards into the shell.

Suchpae brings out the MOST valid point as well, that one must be conscious of the depth and width of the form: just making up the complete circumference in inches isn't the same as replicating a body's exact shape as the true dress forms do.

I made a second foam-filled form, and using the dowel idea, pushed the marked-depth-dowels through my duct tape form from front to back in the exact spot that they needed to be for my body, leaving approx 1" on the outside and then taped them in place, before stuffing in the newspaper (they helped hold the balls in place!) and before squirting in the expanding foam.

After the foam had cured I sawed off the ends that projected outside the form and sealed the spots over with duct tape. Now it truly is an exact replica of my body, with NO distortion from just stuffing it with polyester batting.

Thanks for your input & tips, Ladies!!!

rkr4cds Posted: 6:15 pm on March 25th

DARKKSYDE writes: I thought that this Idea was awesome. Another cool idea.
I found about 8 or 9 cans of house insulating spray foam at a yard sale and filled mine with that.It makes it very sturdy! Posted: 5:06 pm on March 19th

suchpae writes: I found it helpful to measure the front to back to maintain depth proportion...By standing between storage racks (facing one) & using two dowel rods that rested one on each rack. Move them in so one touches you in front & the other your back at the same level (as if an arrow were shot through you). Mark the spot where they cease to rest on the rack. Then move out & measure the space. Do this at two or three places & use a dowel cut to those lengths & taped inside before stuffing. A friend & I did the duct tape procedure & discovered it flexed too much in the stuffing so lost accuracy.
Apology for lengthy note. We're women. We're wordy. We try to be thorough!
Suchpae Posted: 1:31 pm on December 19th

lauralee22 writes: Wonderful Ideas,always welcome by eager to learn students of all ages,skills, in the art of sewing.Thank you Thank you. Lauralee22 Posted: 6:24 pm on December 15th

OmaBoss writes: My niece and I made these forms exactly one year ago with much laughter and surprise. We found it very strange to try to breathe when wrapped so well! I'm 6' tall and she's 6'1" so sewing is proving to be more useful all the time. Posted: 5:28 pm on December 15th

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