A dress form is must-have sewing equipment unless you have a perfect fit right out of the box. It serves as both a fitting helper and a tool for seeing how your item will look on your own body in a 360-degree view. It can be intimidating to look for a plus size form because they are hard to come by and always cost more than the smaller sizes, but there are more affordable solutions available, as well as the DIY approach. If you sew on a regular basis, whether for yourself or for business, a dressmakers dummy can make sewing easier and more pleasant by allowing you to achieve a wonderful fit and admire your work.

A dressmaker’s dummy is a fabric-covered torso with realistic dimensions for sewing and fitting garments. They’re available in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they’re usually padded so you may pin fabric if needed. Your dressmaker dummy should ideally reflect your shape and size proportions. Most just have the torso, but more expensive professional dressmaker dummies also have removable arms and legs. The bases of dummies are usually made of metal or wood. It is important to know about plus size dress form adjustable for best results. 

How do you select a dressmakers dummy size?

A dressmaker’s dummy usually comes in a variety of sizes. Small, medium, big, or a numbered size, comparable to clothing, may be used. Rather of worrying about the size on the dummy, always refer to the dress form manufacturer’s measurement sheet. Different sizing standards will be used by different manufacturers. Take your body length measures as well, as you may have a shorter or longer torso than the norm.

What is the best dummy for a dressmaker to buy?

There isn’t a single answer to this question. It all depends on your requirements and how you want to use the dress form. And, of course, look for your budget. The various varieties of dressmakers dummies and their characteristics are shown below. Dressmakers dummies are divided into three categories:

• Fixed – Inexpensive due to the lack of adjustable wheels. A fixed dressmaker’s dummy is ideal if you’re searching for a low-cost option, have pretty standard body proportions, or are photographing your items as part of a small sewing business. Before you buy, double-check the measurements because many have exaggerated proportions, such as a very small waist measurement. There is very minimal sculpting in the breast area, and arm choices are not available.
• Adjustable – These can be made to fit a variety of sizes. If you sew professionally for a variety of sizes, this is ideal. These are a little more expensive than a set dressmaker’s dummy, but they’re ideal if you have a wide range of body measurements. If you have a pear or triangle shape, for example, you can adjust the breast separately from the hips. These are available in small, medium, and curvy sizes, so you can choose one that fits your body type.
• Professional – These are the most expensive since they are of the highest quality. These are available in predetermined sizes and frequently include metal stands and wheels. These are the most expensive of all the dummies, and they’re made for those of you who wish to make a living designing couture outfits or sewing apparel lines. The professional dummies, unlike the adjustable models, have no knobs or adjustments.