For years I've wanted to have my own dress form, but the $250 price tag always put me off. I'd heard that you can make your own with duct tape and an old T-shirt. I'm always up for a challenge, especially one that saves me moolah, so I went ahead and did it. And it was a lot easier than I expected! Here's the result.
What you need (for a size M, so adjust accordingly):
- 2 1/2 rolls of duct tape, 20 yards each, $8 at the hardware store (make sure to keep the cardboard rolls after the tape is gone!)
- 2 bags of bamboo or other eco-fill, 20 oz. each (around $16), or 2 bags of polyfill if you can't find the bamboo ($7) -- or other repurposed stuffing material, like old clothing (free!)
- a few paper towels
- a marker
- an old T-shirt, large enough to go over the shoulders and past the butt
- a willing helper
- a sense of humor!
1. Put on the old T-shirt, and maybe a pair of old leggings as well (so you don't tape the dress form to yourself; that would be bad).
2. Starting at the waist, have your willing helper (in my case, a very mystified husband) start wrapping you in duct tape, down to the fullest part of the hip. Fold the tshirt as you go so it doesn't make lumps. Go slowly so the tape doesn't fold over or stick to itself -- the stuff is very sticky! Don't pull too tight -- you want the dress form to be accurate. Mold it to fit you.
3. Once the bottom half is done, start from the waist upwards until you reach just under the bust line. Then you'll need to start some molding, with vertical and diagonal strips (if you're female) so your bust has some definition. :-) Avoid taping your bust in horizontal circles like the waist and hips, because your dress form will look like you're wearing a jog bra -- not good unless you like the 1920's look.
4. After the bust line is done, add shoulder straps to make sure the front and back are secured to each other. Then fill in the back and shape the shoulders. Cover your skin with paper towels when you get above the neckline of the T-shirt. Don't forget to go around the shoulders a little (not necessarily under the arm), to capture your shoulder measurement -- important for fitting tops and sweaters!
5. You may look like a mummy, but you're not quite done. Next, have your willing helper mark the front line, back line, side lines, and natural waist with a marker.
6. Next, have your helper gently cut the dress form, from the bottom up to the neck. Tape it back together along the cut line.
7. Use the leftover cardboard rolls from the duct tape to shape the neck (probably use 2, cut and fit together). Tape over the neck opening.
8. Stuff the neck and shoulders with your chosen stuffing, and shape the arm closures. Fold the T-shirt sleeves and tape off the arms. Stuff the rest of the dress form with enough stuffing material to make it pretty firm. To finish the bottom, I used a piece of cardboard from the recycling bin, cut in an oval shape. This conveniently serves as a base too.
9. Done! Redraw the lines if you need to.
Caution: your willing helper might find it extremely creepy to have this thing lurking about in the house. You may need to find a closet to hide it in!
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