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Use sew in interfacing! I made my first one with two layers of stiff fabric but that is NOT enough to stop it from stretching too much. My second one I used a fairly stiff sew in interfacing and I can stuff it very firm and she is my exact measurements, using the seam allowance they gave me.

@shelahhorvitz3838

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this great tip! So medium weight sew-in interfacing? Or heavy? Woven or not?

@michelespracklin1704

2 жыл бұрын

@@shelahhorvitz3838 I think mine was medium, and also remember to baste the interfacing to the fabric before sewing each piece of the pattern together. Pins are not good enough to hold in place so things do not shift and become wrinkled.

@shelahhorvitz3838

2 жыл бұрын

@@michelespracklin1704 Thanks!

@breeinatree4811

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info.

I made mine with pre-quilted fabric so it already had two layers and a thin layer of batting, this helped the finished product look smooth and professional.

I had a great experience with my Bootstrap dress form. I used upholstery fabric and made the pattern with no alterations to the seam allowance and it turned out great. I stuffed mine as full as I possibly could and she’s not lumpy, and she matches my measurements. I think the upholstery fabric being thicker helped her not stretch out of shape when stuffed.

@jennyp4934

Жыл бұрын

Great information. I have some curtain fabric that I was going to throw out, but I might use it for this. Thanks.

@ArtByEmilyHare

10 ай бұрын

Ooh good idea, this is more appealing than using interfacing which is so fiddly. Also lots of options for snazzy patterns! Was the fabric you used a heavy calico type one?

@ZeldaSews

5 ай бұрын

That is so great to hear ❤

@tracyvision

5 ай бұрын

@@ArtByEmilyHare sorry, I just saw this! I used Magnolia Homes Calder Jewel fabric and also used fusible interfacing.

If you knit and or crochet a lot and have tons of scrap yarns you dit know how to repurpose, I used all the scrap yarn, and brushed out the fibres for some makeshift stuffing. Really saves on the cost. And instead of foam for the neck I used stacked sponges from an equivalent to the dollar store.

I made my first one with painters drop cloth. DONT! Just don't! The one I'm making for my sister is from a blackout curtain from IKEA. Much better. I put mid weight iron on interfacing. I'm not having any problems at all. I've found that the $2 pillows from Walmart are great for stuffing and much less expensive than buying Polyfil.

@shanksre6186

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🇬🇧

@foofy3

2 жыл бұрын

omg I was going to use painters drop cloth! Why do you think it's a bad idea? I'm still tempted to use it

@elizabethrobbins8580

2 жыл бұрын

The weave for drop cloths that I could find was way too loose and the seams started to ravel as soon as they were sewn. It was like sewing tweed.

@foofy3

2 жыл бұрын

thanks for replying! good to know, I won't use it then lol

@susanlolamitchell

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the tip!!! Tight budget here

Ladies, fusible interfacing is basically little dots of plastic melted onto a fabric surface. You can get all different types of it. When you fuse the interfacing, and get a solid thin layer of plastic bonding your fabric together, it is so much stronger and more stable than the fabric itself. That is why I don’t think that the quality of the interfacing fabric is that important to this project. You just need the strength of the plastic to keep your fabric from stretching. You want this body form to be completely stable.

Thank you for the careful step-by-steo tutorial. Still waffling on whether or not to make this dress form, but yours is the first video that deals well with the stretching issue. Am subscribing :)

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for subscribing! 💕 So glad you found this helpful ☺️

Fantastic and informative! You explain and show things very well! I’ve been hesitant to use this method for my dress form, but you’ve given me the knowledge and confidence to try it! Thank you so much!

I'm currently making this. I used cotton quilting fabric and iron on interfacing. I would also recommend sew on interfacing or doubling up on the fabric

Thank you!! Ive been thinking about making one of these but i hadnt found a tutorial online that i was confident enough to follow. Really great!

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

So glad it was helpful! 😊

Thanks for the video! I'm considering making the pant form by Bootstrap. As a tip for others, factory made dress forms are covered in muslin- choose a tightly woven muslin, but I like the interfacing recommendation too.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment and tips! Good luck on your pants form! 😊

I sew mine a few months ago, but i must say that your tutorial it's pretty good!!

Sounds great, but if you use the canvas fusible youwon't have a problem with stretching. The type I use is quite sturdy.

Suggestion to eliminate "lumpiness", fluff up the stuffing.

I adore your sewing machine!!! wow!

Jane thank you great tutorial. I have the same mannequin, have learnt so much from you ❤

Thank you so much for this video. I just purchased this pattern and am learning so much. I figure that if I can do this, I can do anything. LOL. I’m a quilter at heart but just learning how to make my own clothes in my 60s. I’m excited to wear feminine clothes fit to me again so enjoying very much learning the process. I also have a sway back and will need to alter my pattern as well. Hoping to find a video to show me how to do that. I plan on using a light colored, light-med. weight denim for mine so I don’t get the stretch when stuffing. Great job on your form and hoping I have the same success. Thank you again.

Thank you so much- great tips!

I just bought the pattern! Can't wait to start!

The good thing about going through Bootstrap is that if you need any changes, you can contact them and they will adjust the pattern for $2. I’m not sure how long it will take; I haven’t done it yet, but I was reading the FAQ.

Hey everybody! What sewing projects are you working on? I'd love to hear! 💕

@vegababes123

2 жыл бұрын

Girl right now am makin mines I took a little break to eat hahah I am so contemplating as to if to zigzag zag those lines or stick them in cause what I notice the lines where it's drawn for the waist I like mines lower an low waisted even doh am tall but so far its comin out pretty good hope to see the result that I will be proud of !

@vegababes123

2 жыл бұрын

Oh I forget to mention good job on urs as well I always watch how neat it is ❤ it.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

@@vegababes123 Yay, that's great! Good luck!

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

@@vegababes123 Thank you! ☺️

Wow! This is really an amazing method. Thank you so much for sharing. I would like to do this for my sewing projects. It is a bit more practicle than plaster and foam DIYS

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes, this method is much more attainable for most people ☺️

@xliieesss

Жыл бұрын

The plaster/foam might be a bit of a hassle and it cost me multiple days of work and two people to put the plaster on me, but i'm so incredibly happy with how accurate it is. It looks really professional. You can' t reshape it with a corset tho, so for those purposes the bootstrap is more useful.

@SarahK86

Жыл бұрын

@@xliieesss yes. That's is true. Unless you do Like (Morgan Donner) and wear a corset while getting plastered for a dress form with that shape.kzread.info/dash/bejne/m4OEu8qBZryuoLQ.html

Thank you Katherine. I've only just come across the Bootstrap Dress Form and was wondering if it would be useful and now I'm eager to sew one up. I love the way you put a corset on it, just made it look very attractive.

This was very helpful

I am using a suiting fabric and I am going to use fusible fleece on the fabric, as I do pillows to prevent lumps. I may try an outdoor fabric I have. It is really stable. I would even never consider muslin.

Thank you 🇬🇧

In regards to printing out, and printing running over, Curvey Sewing blog suggested using portrait mode when printing. That may help printing run off.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion! ☺️

Pamela Ermy on her website recommended to fuse the interfacing directly to the uncut fabric to stabilize it before cutting. If you're worried about wasting interfacing, those small pieces usually get thrown away anyway!

Thank you for this video. I just finished mine yesterday and it's a little wonky. Listening to your experience has given me the places where I made mistakes. I decided to call this first my test and now I'll make my real one.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found this helpful! I'm sure your second dress form will be amazing after all your experience! ☺️

Good advice. I did see another video on this with Bootstrap diy forms. She used a cheap(er) standard dress form as the stand/base and fitted her custom form over it. This eliminated the skeleton because the first dress form did that. It also required less stuffing. Either way it looks great. I want one now.

@keelyjohnston19

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this comment I was just going to ask if I could do that. I have a cheap body form that is smaller than me.

Thank you so much 😁 really informative 🙂

Thanks for great instruction would you use this method again?

Having made a few dress forms, I strongly suggest trying it on before adding the inner skeleton or stuffing. This gives you a chance to correct any part of the shape that does not match you exactly.

This is the second vid I've watched on bootstrap dress forms, and I'm wondering if adding boning to the internal structure would be of any help. Also I think a thin piece of plywood would be better than the cardboard.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Both sound like great ideas!

@laureldavis500

3 ай бұрын

I used hardboard, it is thin and very sturdy

I want to make this ❤😅❤

Question: How much time would you estimate you spent constructing this dress form? Thanks for the helpful video!

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! It probably took about 15-20 hours ☺️

There is very sturdy woven iron on interfacing of very high quality on the market.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

You're right, however, the pattern instructions recommended medium-weight, not the heavy stuff 😒 That's a good tip though! ☺️

I would give bootstrap fashion a 5/10. I had the exact same issues you came across. The measurements were completely off and not accurate at all, my pattern came with no seam allowance when i asked for them, when taping the pattern together it did not match up. I would give it a lower rating but now i have a general pattern to play with and adjust.

Hey, has anyone thought of using the iron on fusible fleece (ONLY for the area EXCLUDING seam allowance) in order to keep the dress form from being too clumpy? I’m trying to find a way to 1. Make sure fabric is stiff enough and doesn’t stretch, and 2. Make the outside form panels from looking clumpy.

Thank you for this informative video. I am in the process of trying to get one ordered. I have a question -- How do you get the armscye measurement? I know I saw it either on their site or on a video, but I cannot find it now.

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! 🙂 I just went on their website to refresh my memory, and I don’t think there is an armsyce measurement. I think it is automatically calculated based on your other body measurements. Hope this helps!

Question: can I use a serger to join the seams for this project or does it have to be the sewing machine with a clipped seam allowance?

When applying grading rules not all seams get reduced or increased by the same amount so arbitrarily reducing all your seams by the same amount to make a technically smaller form with correct proportions may not produce the expected results. Bootstrap say the dress form pattern has 10% horizontal negative ease to take account of expansion when it is stuffed very tight which would be the ideal for a form. Did you consider using a lightweight coutil corsetry fabric with little or no stretch in the weft? You could use a double layer if not stiff enough or a single heavier weight. I take your point about being able to put a corset on your form thus needing some give in the padding but I imagine most would want a stiff tightly padded form. I liked the way you introduced each section with a written title on screen in the video.

I cant wait until this move is over with so I can make one of these and drape instead of trying to work with patterns I hate patterns. I hate patterns. Did I say I hate patterns?

I ordered mine a couple weeks ago and I'm currently working on it while watching this, I'm surprised it took days for you to get your pattern! And not even the version you asked for?? That's so sad... And like you, I thought about taking in a slightly bigger seam allowance for the vertical seams, but ended up being to scared of fudging up the final results ^^'

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your dress form! I would love to hear how it turns out for you! 🥰

I love your video. I am trying to make one of my own and your video has helped me a ton. I'm just confused on one part of the instructions. It doesn't tell you what the interlining or stabilizer is used for except for the armholes. Is that the only thing you need that for?

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! ☺️ No, you need the stabilizer for all of the fabric pieces-the neckhole and armholes are also reinforced with cardboard. Hope this helps!

This is great information, would you mind sharing your total for this? it's just for me to compare, if i want diy or purchase,

I bought an arm and body pattern from Bootstrap. I was extremely disappointed in the customer service. The patterns did not fit, and I got got no help from the company. I felt the emails from CS were blaming me. If you buy one, you are on your own.

Is that a little Singer 185 behind you, I have one, too. They are so cute and sew a beautiful seam, I love the minty color.

@KatherineSewing

Жыл бұрын

Yes it is!! I love it! 😍

Great video, so informative! Question, should I measure myself with bra or without it?

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Definitely measure with a bra on, since it affects the height and measurement of the bust. ☺️

Question, you said in the end you recommend to minus your measurements given to bootstraps by 1-2cm only for circumference measurements but during the vid you said you used more seam allowance to allow for more negative ease. While sewing did you change the seam allowance for all measurements, or only for circumference measurements? Thanks in advance :)

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

I only changed for circumference measurements, as I recall ☺️

I had the same issue with the pattern not lining up together. I even had some pieces that just went off the edge of the paper and I had to just guess what the corner looked like. Honestly It's taken me months of research to cut out two types of fabric and stiff sew in interfacing. I'm honestly kind of exhausted 😅

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I had that same issue with the pattern! Have you finished your dressform yet? Let me know how it goes ☺️

@299meena

2 жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing unfortunately I'm still in the depths of labor! I'm currently pad stitching all the interfacing to the fabric. I may be done in the next eternity or so 🤣

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

@@299meena That sounds like a lot of work! Good luck 😆💕

Excellent video. I have the pattern but haven't done anything with it yet. How much did the dress form company charge for shipping to Canada?

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

The dress form stand you mean? I can't remember but it was reasonable. 🙂

Was the pole 1 inch in diameter

How much stabilizer fabric was needed ? I’m making mine soon and will probably use denim but I have no idea how many yards is needed

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

The amounts you need are all in the pattern directions! ☺️

Do you think it would be ag ood idea to stich at 5/8 instead of the 3/8 that is recommended, and the 4/8 that you did? Do you think this would allow a firmer stuffing without making it too large?

@allanpennington

5 ай бұрын

When applying grading rules not all seams get reduced or increased by the same amount so arbitrarily reducing all your seams by the same amount to make a technically smaller form with correct proportions may not produce the expected results.

Is it possible to use this pattern-form over a smaller dress form and than stuf it wear it is needed?

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, this company actually offers a pattern specifically for that purpose (with stretch fabric)

Does it need to be filled with poly fill? I’ve seen people make plaster casts of themselves and fill it with expanding foam. Maybe both diy methods could be combined? I wonder if you could use spray foam to fill the fabric form while maintaining the drafted shape?

@teresapotter2992

8 ай бұрын

I have the same question.

@wrennslocum6777

2 ай бұрын

Spray foam expands with a lot of force and can leave gaps. It is likely to deform your fabric. That’s why the DIY ones with foam use plaster to hole the foam.

I'm definitely making this, thank you! I have a styrofoam dress form that is so beautifully decoupaged with magazine pics, that as soon as I stabbed Audrey Hepburn in the forehead with a pin, I decided I need one I can properly stab lol 😁

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome Danielle! Good luck on your dress form! I would love to hear how it goes 😘

I am planning on using a canvas sort of fabric. Should I still use interfacing?

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

That’s a good question. It depends on how thick the canvas is, but you probably can’t go wrong with a fusible interfacing ( it’s pretty thin usually)

@petersdotter1

3 жыл бұрын

I have decided to create a lining with thin batting sandwiched between the two fabric layers. I also have foam shapers to add.

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

@@petersdotter1 Great idea!

@michelespracklin1704

2 жыл бұрын

YES!!! I used a stiff canvas for my first one and it stretched quite a bit too big, even with loose stuffing. Interfacing is very important for this to work properly.

Hello! What is the type of shirt called that you are wearing? I love it and would like to sew one :)

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! I am wearing my "18th century little black dress" (I have a video about how I made it) over s white chemise (I have a video about that too) with my brown 18th century petticoat over top. Hope this helps! 💕

@chandalier8996

2 жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing thank you so much for replying! I’ll make sure to watch those videos!

Quick question, can you explain the markings on the patterns themselves?

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

I'm assuming you are referring to the notches along the edges. They help you line up the pattern pieces properly-notch to notch ☺️

@gracealbrechtklooster8130

2 жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing i understand those but the triangle ones? This is my first pattern

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

@@gracealbrechtklooster8130 No worries! The triangle ones are notches as well. They use different markings for different notches so you know which matches up with which. Triangle notch to triangle notch, line notch to line notch, double triangle to double triangle. Good luck!

Could you give the diameter of your pole? I ordered the same one but want to get all my sewing done before it arrives.

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Outer diameter 7/8" ☺️

Thanks for the video! I also found I have to take an educated guess on many of the steps. I wish I had watched this before I started mine. I can't get the breast to look like breast, and she is definitely larger than what I gave them. I may go back in an dart where I can and restuff her.

Hi, I'm a beginner, but l'm a little confused on wether it's more convenient to buy patterns with seam allowance or not! If I buy a pattern that includes seam allowance, how will I trace the seam line on the fabric? I hope youre able to answer my question, thank you!

@BeholdAlphaAndOmega

8 ай бұрын

You can use transfer paper and a marker that looks like a small daisy wheel

Good day… I didn’t find the link for the website for pattern 🤷🏻‍♀️

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for pointing that out, Bernadette! I added the link 🙂

How do you print the pattern out?

@KatherineSewing

2 жыл бұрын

On your home printer, first print the test sheet, then all the pages which are numbered and you tape them together. 🙂

Looks like so much work

Did you find that one of the shoulders is always lower than the other and the bust slant (between shoulder and “nipple” is really long? I did mine twice , the second time was after I lost weight last year and both dress forms have got these issues.

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

Hmm I can't say I noticed the shoulder issue, and for the bust I did enter on their website the specific height of my bust (I cant remember though in relation to what). I do have a longer torso too, so that may have helped. If you ever make it again, I'd recommend measuring the height of the bust in relation to the shoulder on the pattern piece, and altering if necessary. I go a bit into the pattern alteration in this video. 🙂

@whatjoaniecreates

3 жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing yeah I took all the measurements but it still looks like the bust is really low. I think if I do it again one day I’ll definitely do some alterations to the pattern.

@laureldavis500

3 ай бұрын

I would definitely recommend comparing your actual measurements to the pattern before cutting it out. Many people have complained that the bust is too low…in my case it was two inches too low. It was heartbreaking to finish the whole thing only to realize it wasn’t accurate for me.

@laureldavis500

3 ай бұрын

Diane Makes on KZread has a video addressing this exact problem. Also another video about construction. Both are extremely helpful

I feel like sawdust would be a great material to stuff it with but most people aren't gonna have piles of it laying around at home. 😅

💐🌹🌹💐💐

You said you were going to link the mannequin base stand in the description, but I don't see it. Would you link it, please?

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

Oops! Sorry about that. Here is the link: theshopcompany.com/metal_rolling_base.html It is also in the description. 🙂

@britt_lo9493

3 жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing oh dear, I clearly missed it. Thank you so much for sharing it! I have bookmarked it for later! 😉

@KatherineSewing

3 жыл бұрын

@@britt_lo9493 No you didn't miss it! I just added it to the description upon seeing your comment. Thanks for pointing it out ☺️

@lesliehowells

Жыл бұрын

@@KatherineSewing What a delightful, informative, well organized, and helpful video: thank you!!!! FYI: the dress form stand has increased dramatically in price since appearing in your video ($59 to $89 in 14 months), but shipping is free, and the reviews for The Shop Company are quite high. Thank you for the resource.

@KatherineSewing

Жыл бұрын

@@lesliehowells Thank you for your lovely comment! Happy to have bern of help! ☺️

U-m in my 70s and have a tummy and rounded shoulders. I don't see how any pattern generated just from measurements can allow for figure varuatiibs like that. I want a dress form that's accurate as I have nobody to fit a garment on me, so I don't think that a mail order form is accurate enough

Can I like pay someone to do this for me

@KatherineSewing

2 ай бұрын

You can buy custom sized dress forms, but they can be pricey. Otherwise, you can buy a smaller standard size of dress form and pad it up to fit your exact measurements.

Couldn't you simply make a zip-front, form-fitting denim dress and pad it? Use a seam allowance you can alter, a stiff cardboard core and you'd have a heavy duty, BESPOKE dress form for life.

Thank you for your efforts to share your experience. One small suggestion: please stop stroking your hair, it is distracting.