I want to teach myself to design by draping. I have bought the textbooks and am enthusiastic to get started. I have purchased a wolf dress form that is close to my size but not exactly my shape. Is it recommended that I try to pad it to my exact proportions before attempting to drape a garment or just leave generous seam allowances for fitting on myself after it is draped on the form? Another alternative I am considering is to drape it to the size and shape of the dress form and then compare with my flat pattern sloper and make adjustments. I’d really appreciate suggestions from someone experienced in draping. Thanks
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Replies
The first place to correct is at the shoulder. If the slope of YOUR shoulder does not match that of the dress form you are in for disappointments in your designing. The bodice must hang correctly from the shoulder and then fit around all the individual "lumps" of our figures!Becky
I agree with Becky, I ended up putting bust cups and shoulder pads on my dress form to correct the square and fullness for my broad shoulders. Shoulderpads also lowered and filled out my bust. On my dress form I mean. tee hee. Cathy
Definitely pad the form first; otherwise, it will just be an exercise (in futility). Sacrifice one of your bras and a pair of panties (or a foundation garment) attach them exactly as you wear them normally, and pad to fill them accurately. You can stretch a thin tube of sheer knit overall to provide a convenient marking basis, and you will know that what you drape will fit you in the end.
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