¶ Introduction
A dress form is used to make designing and sewing clothing easier.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required to access the Textiles shop.
The Shop Safety Class Sewing 1 Shop Safety is required before using the iron.
¶ Machine Overview
A dress form is a three-dimensional model of the human torso used for fitting clothing that is being designed or sewn. When making a piece of clothing, it can be put on the dress form so that one can see the fit and drape of the garment as it would appear on a body and make adjustments or alterations. Dress forms come in all sizes and shapes for almost every article of clothing that can be made. Dress forms in the standard clothing sizes are used to make patterns, while adjustable dress forms allow garments to be tailored to fit a specific individual. [wikipedia]
¶ Machines Available
Open Works has several adjustable female dress forms available: petite, small, medium, and full figure. There are no male forms.
¶ Parts of the Machine
Click to expand
¶ Machine Reservations
The dress forms do not need to be reserved.
¶ Material Considerations
¶ Acceptable Materials:
¶ Use with Caution and Proper Technique:
¶ Forbidden Materials
anything that will leave residue.
¶ Safety and Setup
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
• Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back.
For more information on shop safety visit "Safety" on the Textiles main page.
¶ Step-by-Step Guides
¶ Before You Begin
- Put the form on a stand and secure it.
¶ Adjusting the Dress Forms
- Take your own measurements around bust, waist, and hips.
- Turn the knobs between the panels on the dress form to adjust the dimensions until they match yours.
- Add padding to more closely match your figure, if desired.
¶ Maintenance
- Clean lint and threads off with a brush, vacuum, or lint roller.