Be Crafty.

Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform
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 measurements. 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!
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Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
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.
Finial Varies
TWIN FIT
LADY VALET
MY DOUBLE
MY DOUBLE
DELUXE
CELINE
Measurements
Vary
General
Shape Varies
LITTLE MISS
MY DOUBLE
Body Length
Varies
Pin hem marker
attachment with
measured pole
is on most styles
Stand Varies
CHILD
DRESSFORM
ADULT DRESSFORM STYLES
© Prym Consumer USA
Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
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.
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.
© Prym Consumer USA
Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
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.
6.
4.
1.
2.
3.
5.
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
Waist
Hips
Distance
from waist
to widest hip
Neck
Back
Waist
Length
Height from
back neck
to floor
(Shoulder height)
© Prym Consumer USA
Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
Special features of each dressform:
94/37
/36
91
AB
/34
86
100/39
89/35
/38
97
83/33
• 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
c m/
ins
Auto-set
Adjustment Dial
Five Sizes
Bust
Waist
Hips
Back Waist
Length
Neck
• 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
92
88
84
cm
33
ins
35
37
Adjustment Wheel
Four Sizes
Bust
Waist
Hips
Back Waist
Length
Neck
Petite
#20075
Small
#20100
Medium
#20200
Full-Figure
#20300
28”–34”
22”–29”
30”–37”
13”–15”
33”–41”
23”–31”
34”–42”
15”–17”
39”–47”
29”–37”
40”–48”
15”–17”
45”–53”
38”–46”
47”–55”
16”–18”
15
+
© Prym Consumer USA
Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
Special features of each dressform:
• Blue Sapphire foam-backed pinnable nylon
cover
• 12 adjustment wheels
• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist
length
Adjustment Wheel
• Pin cushion finial with optional wood finial
• Shaped hips, bottom & thighs for pants fitting
• Extended shoulders for supporting & setting
in sleeves
Two Sizes
• Longer body with cutout for
Small
Medium
pants fitting
#20405
#20406
• Off-set pole for pants fitting
Bust
33”– 41”
40”– 47”
• Longer pole for added height
Waist
26”– 33”
32”– 39”
• Great for gowns & costumes
Hips
36”– 44”
41”– 49”
Back Waist
14”– 16”
15”– 17”
• Pin hem marker attachment
Length
• Metal pole with marked
Neck
14”+
14 1/2”+
measurements
• Folding tripod base with
protective leg caps
92
s
Little Mis
72
88
66
84
cm
62
cm
33
ins
24
ins
35
26
37
26
• Fuchsia foam-backed pinnable nylon surface
Adjustment Wheel
• Designed for children age 6 – 10
• 12 adjustment wheels
One Size
• Adjustable neck, chest, waist, hip,
#20000
back waist length
Chest
24”– 30”
• Pin cushion finial
Waist
22”– 28”
• Pin hem marker attachment
Hips
26”– 32”
• Metal pole with measured lines
Back Waist
11”– 13”
Length
• Folding tripod base with protective leg
Neck
caps
© Prym Consumer USA
Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Choose a Dressform (continued)
Special features of each dressform:
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
Record settings on
• Pin cushion on neck with finial
Adjustment Wheel
• Pin hem marker
attachment
Three Sizes
• Metal pole with
Small
Medium
Full-Figure
measurements
#FG963
#FG964
#FG965
• Molded star shaped
Bust
33”– 41”
39”– 47”
45”– 53”
Waist
base with locking
26”– 33”
32”– 40”
38”– 46”
Hips
36”–
44”
41”–
48”
47”– 54”
casters
cm
Back Waist
Length
Neck
15”–16
ins
15”–16
16”– 18”
15”+
15”+
• Black foam-backed pinnable nylon cover
• 12 adjustment wheels
• Adjustable neck, bust, waist, hip, back waist
length
• Wooden pole and base
92
88
84
cm
33
ins
35
37
Adjustment Wheel
Two Sizes
Bust
Waist
Hips
Back Waist
Length
Neck
Small
#FG208
Medium
#FG209
33”– 41”
23”– 31”
34”– 42”
15”– 17”
39”– 47”
29”– 37”
40”– 48”
15”– 17”
© Prym Consumer USA