The Hermit Crab - Needlework painting

Bias Tops from July 2009 magazine

duct tape dressform - success!!!

valicia84, member

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I discovered through Threads the wonderful world of duct tape dressforms, and i am hooked! it took about two hours to make this one of my friend Misty. it was so easy, inexpensive, and really captured the details of the body, like one hip slighty bigger than other from carrying baby. Only slight problem was it was just a little too big- she put a dress on it that is normally a little loose on her and it was a little tight on the form- next time less layers, or just wrap it tighter, perhaps? Only used about 60 yds of duct tape but dont skimp and get the cheap stuff- it needs to stick! We have future ideas of trying different stuffings and stand ideas-we'll get back to you on that. It was our first and it turned out great- cant wait to make more! Thanks everyone out there who has shared their ideas!!

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WizardGir1 writes: Your dressform turned out splendid! I'm glad you posted it because I was able to show my husband what he is helping me with next week! *Note: purchase high quality duct tape. Thanks a lot and congrats on the new tool! :) Posted: 7:32 am on September 12th

KraftyKandi writes: OMG! I'm SOOOO happy this worked for someone!!! My 14 yr old daughter "taped" me up when I tried it a couple of months ago...needless to say - MASSIVE FAILURE!! But, oh did we laugh...it will be a memory that will be passed down to all my future grandchildren, I'm sure.

Taping went well (I thought). We followed the directions as thoroughly as we could and went thru about 8 rolls of duct tape. I couldn't even walk around after she was done, so she pulled out her cell phone and started taking pictures of her helpless (and mad!) mom and sending them to everybody. She abandoned my helpless self and then ran to her laptop, transferring the pictures to her email, then proceeded to "copy" everyone we knew with a picture...while I screamed helplessly and tried to take a step or two - basically I was a prisoner to her evil plan.

Needless to say, when she finally had her fun, the "cutting down the center back" step involved many Hello Kitty band aids and much (well, a little) blood, with my behind taking the brunt of the abuse. We now have a useless, duct taped "form" (when we stuffed it, it was in no way shaped to my size in any way), that she plans to keep and "wear" for next Halloween...oh, the shame...

The next week, after this disaster...I bought a dress form online for $99, adjusted it to my exact measurements (without her help, I might add), and have been sewing clothes for myself PERFECTLY ever since - best investment I ever made (beside my sewing machine and serger)! Anyone want a crazy 14 year old? Posted: 11:12 am on July 8th

UKSuffolkSue writes: I used this idea with friends before I had a knee replacement. My friends made a new dressform on me after my operation and whoa the difference was amazing. This duct tape form is wonderful, it really shows just how we stand, and how our body responds to balance etc. Can't recommend it highly enough. (By the way I used an old purchased form to put my new 'body' on and just padded out where necessary. Posted: 6:30 am on June 30th

margepoc writes: I have thought about making one of these, but I have a couple of concerns. First, I was afraid the silver would transfer to the fashion fabric. What did you do to prevent this from happening? Also, how do you configure the tape to get an accurate shape of the breasts? Thank you for your help ~~~ Marge Posted: 11:33 pm on June 24th

Stormee writes: Good job I would like to try it. I have 2 dressforms but it is so hard to get a good fit. Thanks for the suggestions, lynwill and celticdiva. Posted: 12:12 am on June 23rd

CelticDiva writes: Great job! Hilarious picture of the aftermath... lol. I've made several of these, for different jobs, and I usually insert a wire coat hanger during the stuffing stages. That way, I can hang the dress-form at exactly the shoulder height of the person I'm sewing for. (I have a strong plant-hook in the ceiling to hold it on an adjustable cord.) It is so accurate, in fact, that I have been able to pin up hems for gowns without the model, and I don't have to keep asking them to turn a little, and a little more, etc. -- I just spin the dress-form!

I also like to tape on lines for favourite necklines and bra-lines, which helps in draping. Less adjusting once you're into fittings...

Hope that helps! Can't wait to see pictures once you figure out the stand! Take care... Posted: 8:05 pm on June 17th

lynnewill writes: These are a great tool! if you want to take it a step further fill it with 2 part expanding foam. You do need to fill it in stages though so that you don't over expand your form. When it is complete you remove the tape and glad wrap and now you have a duplicate body with out the additional bulk from wrapping the tape. I made a stand for mine by drilling a hole in the bottom upon completion and then gluing in a pipe using the same foam to set it. For the base I found a plant stand ( the kind with wheels that you set under large pots for on your deck) which had a center hole to feed the pipe through. You can then make a simple fabric cover for it by using a tube knit. Posted: 8:07 am on June 14th

ajosurlees writes: how exactly is it applied ive nver tried to do it and would love to learn .. thanks :) Posted: 2:01 am on June 10th

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