Replies

1. 
   Balencia | Sep 23, 2007 11:24pm | #1

   try ebay or Jaycotts on line, or catalogue companies do them.

2. 
   artfulenterprises | Sep 25, 2007 03:08am | #2

   Here is a handout I give my students....hope it helps you! I recommend a form two sizes smaller than you are because it allows you to pad out your form and make a personal fit dress form cover. If you want a form that replicates your measurements, direct from the factory, be prepared to pay a very premium price for a custom form. DRESS FORM COMPANIESFABULOUS FIT 1-800-853-9644
   http://www.fabulousfit.com Paper Mache Misses Form
   Paper Mache Women;s Plus Size Form
   Oak Base Personal Women's Form
   Iron Base Maxima Misses FormDRESSRITE 1-773-588-5761
   http://www.dressriteforms.comGold Body Forms for mature figures
   Industrial Forms
   Tailoring Forms - Professional Model
   *Deluxe Full Body Forms $1550.00 but adaptable petite to tall waist lengths.STUDIO ROX 1-718-526-2966
   http://studiorox.com/dressform/female/female.htm
   Excellent quality, reasonably priced. Used in design schools.....good choice.WOLF DRESS FORMS 1-201-567-6572
   http://www.wolfform.comThe Mercedes of dress forms and the fashion industry standard. Pricey.
   All types of forms are available. Shipping is by LTL truck which makes the cost
   of shipping almost as much as the dress form when shipped across country. However, check with Wolf Forms to see if that is still their policy.ROYAL DRESS FORMS 1-516-887-5266
   https://www.ronis.com/store/There are other, less expensive forms available although I encourage you to purchase the best form you can afford. My personal favorite devices are the foot pedal that raises and lowers the form easily, collapsible shoulders which enable you to get snug fitting garments on the form, and a “spin-stopper”, which keeps the dress form from turning away from you while you are draping or fitting a garment. I also recommend that you choose a form that has a padded cover (batting and cotton twill or linen) as a foundation, rather than simply an extruded hard foam, paper mache or metal plates covered with jersey knit .Select a form which is about two sizes smaller than you are, but has approximately the same back neck length. A longer back neck length is OK since that can be padded out, but a shorter length could mean that the outward curve of the hip might interfere with establishing the waistline in proper proportions. Another area to consider is the position of the bust apex and the shape of the chest or breast bone. If you are very hollow in the area above your bust, a dress form that is shaped high and flat in that area will not work for you. I have had to commit surgery with an electric knife and power sander in order to help my students adjust their dress forms for a good fit. A third trouble spot is the back neck, especially for those of us in the baby boomer generation who might be developing a bit of a dowager’s hump. This can sometimes be compensated for by slightly raising the entire dress form cover by padding up the shoulder area so that the neckline is actually lifted away from the dress form’s stationery neck. If your head/ sits forward of the shoulder line, the back neck area can be somewhat problematic but not insurmountable. Be careful not to throw off armscye, bust and waistline areas however when raising the shoulderline.Depending on your figure type, you may also want to inquire about the derriere of your dress form. It is possible, with some companies, to choose a form with a nicely rounded backside or one that is quite flat in the back. Ask the manufacturer and look at the forms on line if you have a preference.Susan Fredrick