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Product Tutorial

How to Choose a Dressform

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© Prym Consumer USA

What is a dressform?A dressform is an integral part of the sewing process. It is a shaped form that mimics your own body measurements. Use it to pin on pattern pieces, test-fit seams during construction or to drape and design a garment. Fashion is much easier to create and fit when the garment is in front of you – also more accurate because you don’t have to twist your body to fit and pin the garment!

Dritz dressforms are adjustable so you can personalize the form to match your own measure-ments. We have five different styles of dressforms for women and one for a young child. Each has different shapes and features. All the similarities and differences will be explained in this tutorial. Find the one that is perfect for you!

Product TutorialBe Crafty.


Dressforms not only have different fabric colors and top finial shapes, they have different proportions and size ranges as well. Note the difference in armscye shape and body fullness. Notice the waist and hip shapes and the body length. Stands vary not only by style but one (My Double Deluxe) has more available height. If a hem marker is important to you, choose one that has this convenient tool. See the following pages for specific size differences.

ADULT DRESSFORM STYLESCHILD DRESSFORM

How to Choose a Dressform (continued)

CELINE

Body Length Varies

GeneralShape Varies

MeasurementsVary

Pin hem markerattachment withmeasured poleis on most styles

Stand Varies

LADY VALET

LITTLE MISSMY DOUBLE

MY DOUBLE

Finial Varies

TWIN FIT MY DOUBLEDELUXE

Product TutorialHow to Choose a Dressform (continued)

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What to consider when buying a dressform: • Size – This is the most important. Take your own measurements and record them in the chart on the following page. Purchase a form that most closely matches your measurements. When in doubt, purchase a smaller form. You can always add, but you can’t subtract from the original size. NOTE: Sewing pattern sizes do not always correlate with ready-to-wear sizes. They rely completely on measurements. • Where do you plan to store your dressform? Will it sit in a closet until you need it, or will you display it in your living area? Colors and the style of stand may affect your decision.

• Will you be marking hems on your dressform? Most have hem markers, but not all.

• Adjustment dials – See the dressform list that follows showing the dials that adjust each style. Auto-set dials squeeze and turn to adjust. Adjustable wheels rotate with one finger.

• Do you plan to fit pants on the form? The off-set pole of the My Double Deluxe is designed for this.

• Height – Most forms adjust up to 63” shoulder height. My Double Deluxe has a longer inner body pole allowing for up to 70“ of shoulder height. If you need additional height, consider placing the form on a raised surface.

What is a dressform used for?Use your dressform to: • Plan and style an outfit by draping coordinating fabrics to see how they look together. • Fit a tissue pattern. • Design an outfit by draping fabric or marking pattern pieces. • Check the placement of seams, darts, pockets and buttons. • Establish the position and roll of collars and lapels. • Position embellishments, such as lace, trims and appliqués. • Plan the placement of machine embroidery designs. • Position shoulder pads accurately. • Check the position and fit of a lining. • Mark hems. • Fit pants - My Double Deluxe has been specially designed for pants fitting with an off-set stand and hip and torso shaping to help achieve a professional fit. • Fit and hang wedding gowns or costumes as you sew. • Accessorize and display your completed outfit. • Use for display – holiday décor, jewelry or party decorations.

Product TutorialHow to Choose a Dressform (continued)

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Measurements:Take your measurements. It is easiest to have a friend assist you. Wear the type of shoes and undergarments you would normally wear. Fill in the chart below, date it and re-check often. Our bodies change; adjust your dressform as needed.

1. Take the bust measurement over the fullest part of the bust. Tape should always be parallel to the floor. 2. Measure your natural waist – the area where your waistband most comfortably sits. (This may not be the smallest part of your torso.) 3. Take your hip measurement 7” – 9” below the waistline. This should be the widest part of your hip area. Make a note of the distance to the measured point as well.4. Have your friend measure your back waist length from neck to natural waist. (Start the tape at the prominent bone at the back of the neck.) 5. Measure from your waist to the floor. Add this to the back waist length to find the height from neck to floor. 6. Measure around the base of your neck. For each measurement, the tape should be snug but not tight. Compare your measurements to those of the different dressforms. Choose the form that most closely parallels your own measurements. Forms overlap size ranges, so you may have several from which to choose. Choose a form that matches or is slightly smaller than your measurements. You can always pad to fit, but you can’t subtract inches from the smallest dimension.

Date Bust HipsWaist Distancefrom waist

to widest hip

Neck BackWaist

Length

Height fromback neck

to floor(Shoulder height)

1.

2.

3.

4.6.

5.

Product TutorialHow to Choose a Dressform (continued)Special features of each dressform:

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• Grey foam-backed pinnable polyester cover • 12 auto-set dials squeeze and turn • Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist length • Pin cushion on neck with optional wood finial • Pin hem marker attachment • Metal pole with measured lines • Folding tripod base with protective leg caps

• Plum foam-backed pinnable polyester cover• 12 adjustment wheels• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist length • Pin cushion finial • Pin hem marker attachment• Metal pole with measured lines• Folding tripod base with protective leg caps

9288

84

cm

3335

37

ins

Adjustment Wheel

Auto-set Adjustment Dial

Petite#2007528”–34”22”–29”30”–37”13”–15”

BustWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

Small#2010033”–41”23”–31”34”–42”15”–17”

Medium#2020039”–47”29”–37”40”–48”15”–17”

Full-Figure#2030045”–53”38”–46”47”–55”16”–18”

15 +

Four Sizes

BustWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

Five Sizes

83/33

86/3

4

89/

35

91/3

6 94/37 97/38 100/39

cm/ins

AB



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9288

84

cm

3335

37

ins

Adjustment Wheel

7266

62cm

2426

26

ins

Adjustment Wheel

• Blue Sapphire foam-backed pinnable nylon cover• 12 adjustment wheels• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist length • Pin cushion finial with optional wood finial• Shaped hips, bottom & thighs for pants fitting• Extended shoulders for supporting & setting in sleeves• Longer body with cutout for pants fitting • Off-set pole for pants fitting• Longer pole for added height • Great for gowns & costumes• Pin hem marker attachment• Metal pole with marked measurements• Folding tripod base with protective leg caps

• Fuchsia foam-backed pinnable nylon surface• Designed for children age 6 – 10• 12 adjustment wheels• Adjustable neck, chest, waist, hip, back waist length• Pin cushion finial• Pin hem marker attachment• Metal pole with measured lines• Folding tripod base with protective leg caps

Little Miss

Small#2040533”– 41”26”– 33”36”– 44”14”– 16”

14”+

BustWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

Medium#2040640”– 47”32”– 39”41”– 49”15”– 17”

14 1/2”+

Two Sizes

#2000024”– 30”22”– 28”26”– 32”11”– 13”

ChestWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

One Size



Be Crafty.

cm ins

Record settings onAdjustment Wheel

9288

84

cm

3335

37

ins

Adjustment Wheel

Standard Plus

• Silver Grey foam-backed pinnable nylon cover• 12 adjustment wheels• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist length• Mark measurements on adjustment wheels • Pin cushion on neck with finial• Pin hem marker attachment • Metal pole with measurements• Molded star shaped base with locking casters

• Black foam-backed pinnable nylon cover• 12 adjustment wheels• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist length • Wooden pole and base

Small#FG20833”– 41”23”– 31”34”– 42”15”– 17”

BustWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

Medium#FG20939”– 47”29”– 37”40”– 48”15”– 17”

Two Sizes

BustWaistHips

Back WaistLength

Neck

Small#FG96333”– 41”26”– 33”36”– 44”15”–16

Medium#FG96439”– 47”32”– 40”41”– 48”15”–16

15”+

Full-Figure#FG96545”– 53”38”– 46”47”– 54”16”– 18”

15”+

Three Sizes

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