Replies

1. 
   NH | Oct 24, 2005 12:12am | #1

   I got my dress form in 1989 from Wolf Form Co., which made the forms we used to use when I was a designer. It is a professsional model, and mine has legs plus collapsable shoulders.I had to fly to their factory in New York City to be measured, and it was several hundred dollars. I just "googled" them, and they now apear to be in Englewood, NJ. Their phone number is: 201-567-6557. They could give you more up to date information. Good luck in your search- it is really nice to have professional equipment!

1. 
   Shannon1 | Oct 24, 2005 12:27am | #2

   THANK YOU SO MUCH for the information.  Every time I've tried to get a professional form I've come up against a wall.  This is very exciting and I'll be calling the Wolf Company tomorrow.  Thank you again for your help.

2. 
   Shannon1 | Dec 08, 2005 08:23pm | #3

   I've been a little tardy in getting to the Wolf company. It's now December and I have one question about ordering a dress form. WHat happens if my weight changes at all? Will the form be usable or a decoration piece? I'd be really disappointed if I spent the money for a dress form, and then couldn't use it because I added a size. Suggestions?

1. 
   NH | Dec 08, 2005 10:09pm | #4

   Dear Shannon1,
   I think it would be easy to pad the dress form, however I have never done this. In my case, I was at the weight that was just right for me when I got the form, then slowly gained a pound a year for 10 years. The shoulders were still fine, and the form was completely usable- the form's waist (where ALL the 10lbs. resided!!) was simply smaller than mine. And, I wasn't sewing much- I couldn't find decent fabric. Then last winter, I discovered one could buy beautiful designer fabrics online. It was a dream come true for a former fashion major! It inspired me to start serious sewing again- I decided I needed to sew a LOT of new clothes, and was very, very highly motivated to return to the weight where I look & feel my best. It took me 13 months to lose 8 pounds, and in 2 more pounds the form & I will once again be twins!!
   I'm so glad you posted again, I was wondering how your search turned out. Sewing can be so wonderful & creative, and I hope that whatever you decide, you will find the most enjoyment & satisfaction possible.
   With wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy and peace-filled new year-
   NH

1. 
   Shannon1 | Dec 09, 2005 11:44pm | #5

   Dear NH,
   Thanks for responding so promptly. I thought I might be out on a limb here, wanting to get a dress form and not knowing what is ahead where eating and weight are concerned. For years I never gained or lost more than two pounds, then suddenly I gained 10 pounds and did NOT seem to be able to shed it. Now I've lost 2.5 pounds and am keeping that off, so I think I can get back to where I should be. That is exciting, so now I'm ready to get serious. What is the website for the designer fabrics? It's hard to find good quality material even in Denver. I shopped at D'Leas in Cherry Creek, but they closed their doors recently, so now I'm in a funk about where I can get good, quality material, not just fleece. I'd like to keep in touch with you, trade ideas and opinions, without having to sign on to the Threads website. Any possibility of this?
   Thanks again for your help. Have a great holiday season. I hope to speak with you again.
   Shannon1

1. 
   NH | Dec 14, 2005 03:50pm | #6

   Dear Shannon,
   I sent you an email on Saturday with some on-line fabric sources- did it get through to you?
   -NH

2. 
   ryansmum | Dec 26, 2005 04:24am | #7

   Hi,

   I am currently taking a sewing class although I did graduate from a major Fashion design program years ago. I wanted to use the industrial machines. The one thing that made sewing so difficult was not having access to a dress form! One must absolutely have one if you are serious about sewing and you only realize this once you own one!  I actually own 4. I inherited my mom's when she passed and I have one in the kitchen for aprons (it's a wolf brand). I have the one you can change sizes on it but it was not substantial enough so I bought a wolf. I plan on donating the adjustable one to the sewing school. Anyhow, my point is that one must own one.

   Dyana

3. 
   Shulas | Apr 07, 2006 09:21pm | #12

   Do you have info on dress forms and what would yourecommend?

   Shulas

4. 
   woodruff | Apr 07, 2006 10:42pm | #13

   There are links to detailed discussions here:http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=13688

5. 
   ryansmum | Apr 08, 2006 03:05am | #14

   Hi Shula,

   My favorite is the Wolf Dressform but it is terribly expensive - over 500 dollars.

   It is what is used in the garment industry so it is what I was trained on. If you are a serious sewer I wouls suggest investing in one. However, there are some great do it yourself forms that you make with duct tape and then you have to make something that it will be able to stand up on. This technique allows you to have an exact replica of your figure - good or bad!  The pant form is great as well.

   I don't have the info on how to do it but you may find it by doing a search. Good luck.

   Dyana

6. 
   Shulas | Apr 08, 2006 05:09am | #15

   Thank you , RM Where can I order or get  info on the Wolf Dress form - does it have legs for pants.  I think I want to invest in it as long as I can adjut all by my self!

   Shulas

7. 
   ryansmum | Apr 08, 2006 06:33am | #16

   Shula,

   Here is the link for the dress form. They have an extensive selection. You will find the forms for pants as well.

   As long as you are a stable size it is worth all the money. I love the feature that allows you to raise the dress form up high enough to hem. I could not function without a form!

   Let us know how you like it.

    

   http://www.wolfform.com/pages/2/index.htm

    

    

8. 
   Shulas | Apr 08, 2006 03:18pm | #17

   Oh great I oredered their catalog and will probably purchaseone inthe fall. I'd rather save and get a really good one...maybe even custom made by them.

    

   veery grateful for the contact and knowing you are really happy with it, puts me at ease with such an outlay of $moola$.

   thanks again.

   Now I am looking to purchase my first serger.

9. 
   artfulenterprises | Apr 09, 2006 02:41am | #18

   Hello Shula..
   If you look a bit further in the discussion list, under "Fitting", there is another discussion thread about dress forms. I sent a detailed list of dress form companys which you can find online. I recommend these to my students. The type of dress form cover I teach my students to make can be repeated any time you gain or lose weight so you will generally always have a form that fits. Good luck with your search.

10. 
    CREATEQUEEN | Dec 28, 2005 08:28am | #8

    Hello,  I read your note regarding places that provided quality fabrics, please share with me also.  We use to have a great fabric store here in Peoria, IL but it has since closed down. Now, we're lucky to find good quality fabrics at all! I've located a Vogue store in Chicago but that is three hours away.  The good thing is I can order by telephone and have no fear of driving the three hours.  I love to sew but have recently found lack of beautiful fabrics a major problem.  I love to create one of a kind fashions but find this becoming incredibly harder all of the time.

    Please advise locations for obtaining quality fabrics. 

     

    Thank you!  Createqueen

11. 
    Mema | Jan 02, 2006 08:11pm | #9

    I would like the list of web sources too. Thanks.

12. 
    NH | Jan 03, 2006 02:47am | #10

    There seem to be many people who are interested so I will post my reply here! First of all, you should visit the website http://www.SewingWorld.com -it is a wonderful source of information & there are many women posting who are very knowledgable & generous in sharing their expertise. There is always a thread there about http://www.michaelsfabrics.com. Michael & his wife are wonderful to deal with, and sell top-quality (mostly natural) fabrics. Some are on his website, but he will send you swatches. http://www.emmaonesock.com sells terrific fabrics of all types, and the photos of fabric on her website are extremely accurate. She'll send you swatches, but she sells out of some things FAST. http://www.FabricMartFabrics.com frequently has great buys on very good fabric. The women posting on SewingWorld.com always have rave reviews for these 3 sites, but there are many more excellent ones.
    Threads Magazine has a list of fabric sources on its website "Online Fabric Shopping: A List of Resources."
    Have fun! NH

    Edited 1/2/2006 6:49 pm ET by NH

13. 
    Mema | Jan 03, 2006 05:38am | #11

    Thank you. mema