Dressmakers dummy question

[tinkerbell23]

For those who can help...

Ive seen a few on ebay...however...if i didnt get an adjustable one...and bought a size 10/12 dummy...how would you make bigger sizes?

This might seen stupid..but just add inches on or something obviosuly?

Im sure ill learn this eventually but i just wanted to ask...does it really matter what size the dummy is xxx

[rowanwitch]

you can buy special padding called batting that you build up on the body of the dummy until it matches you as near to exactly as possible. Ideally you should buy a dummy that is adjustable to your exact measurements if you want to get the best results. you can only pad up a certain amount though so people who do a lot of dressmaking for other people will often have a large and small dummy

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks rowan...it would be for me first...but im sure i will get bigger as the years go on...so im wondering if a size 10/12 would be useless eventually??

Adjustable ones are really expensive for me xx

[boxtops]

I made do over the years with a dummy made of some sort of stiff shiny cardboard, you adjusted it with flaps and folds, and fastened it in place with little folding clips. I don't know if they still make them.

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks boxy xx

[Rose Maybud]

30+ years ago I bought the 'Diana' dressmakers dummy and never regretted it. Yes, it was expensive and I see even now they are not cheap even on ebay. You get a better fit because you can, for example, measure the width across the back separately to the width across the front of the chest, you can accommodate a 'long' back of neck to waist measurement, you can adjust the waist independently of the hip etc. The hem marker is brilliant: hems are even and saves lots of time. I don't do a lot of dressmaking now, but if I did I would need the bigger model (!) but I would still go for the 'Diana' or something similar.

[tinkerbell23]

Rose you are always so helpful thank you!M

I seen a diana one on ebay....expensive yes...but probs worth investing in if i work out if im any good or not LOL.

Just wondering what to begin making :0) top/ coat even xx

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Make your first few bits according to your own measurements. Fit it roughly on the dummy then to yourself and tack it. Make simple stuff to begin with.
If you love it and you're any good at it, you will have learned valuable skills and you'll know whether or not the dummy is a good investment.

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks mojojo..ill be attending college or private lessons soon...not decided yet ...i think ill be ok at it :0D xxx

[erin-x]

I suppose it's different since you're wanting to make clothes for yourself. The mannequin was important for me at college because I liked moulding and creating clothes on it instead of using a pattern.

[Rose Maybud]

Thinking back to schooldays, which really is a long time ago, haha, the first item we had to make was an apron, for use in cookery lessons. This was 100% cotton gingham which was a good fabric to start with - quite forgiving of mistakes requiring unpicking, the squares help you keep in a straight line, and the pattern we used involved only straight edges and no curves. The next item was a blouse and we had to choose one pattern of about 3-4 on the list. Again, a cotton fabric, i.e not too flimsy, not too heavy; this project which introduced setting in sleeves and the attaching collars and the button hole. I seem to remember the pattern with the round collar sat better than the one with shirt-type straight collar. Then I think we must have done a skirt, which introduced the insertion of a zip. You don't realise it at the time of course, but this was a good introduction to the subject. Then I disliked being told what to do and how to do it! I suggest something similar. A coat, for example, is tricky in that the fabric is heavy, you have multi layers (interfacing, lining etc) and requires tailoring skills which is another ball game. Hope that helps x

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I absolutely agree Rose.
Cut your patterns big to begin with Tinks.. You can take away but you can't add.

[Rose Maybud]

I recommend using a pattern to start with and not making it up as you go along or even adjusting an existing garment. Even then there is a lot you can do to ensure a good fit. I belong to a dance team (no, don't dance - in the band!) and a couple of years ago the dancers decided they must have new dresses, so I helped. The pattern the leader chose involved no less than 33 pattern pieces per dress and the pattern assumed you were a big-boobs Barbie type. In reality, most dancers were mums to teenagers so as you can imagine time and gravity had taken their toll, and to have followed the instructions blindly would have been disastrous, so I made lots of extra measurements and adjusted the paper pattern accordingly, then used old sheets to make a prototype, did a fitting and tweaked yet again before committing to the dress itself. Was worthwhile :)

[boxtops]

I'd recommend cutting a dummy pattern too - commercial patterns are great but you need to be sure that the sizing fits you. I always found Butterick patterns were good for my shape - once you find a brand which gives you a good sizing, stick to it for a while.

[tinkerbell23]

Fabulous guys....fab!! I was thinking a wee top...mabye even a wee chiffon shirt....i love them!! I wear em oversized ...but prob would learn to make one that fits..er basically so i learn how i make one that fits LOL x

[tinkerbell23]

Thankk you so much.l..ill look on ebay for patterns! Xxx

[tamborine]

You could lay out a garment or shirt & copy the pattern pieces, leaving extra room for seams etc. Check out sewing garments on YouTube; some great ideas there.

[tinkerbell23]

Thank you tamboooo xxxxxxx