I'm designing new aprons today for Peking Handicraft. It's the first time I've worked with my dress form in many months. Usually, she just stands in the corner observing my everyday life, patiently waiting for her turn. Today, she is proudly of service, helping me sort out patterns and proportions.
It was surprisingly easy work. I draped the form with muslin, following the seamlines of the original cover, to create pattern pieces for the new cover. I sewed the pieced front and back together at the shoulders only, then whip-stitched each side seam together once the cover was stretched taut on the form (photo below). I then replaced the metal caps at the arms and neck. Finally, I wrapped a piece of grosgrain ribbon tightly at the waist and secured it with a pin at center back.
If you have a delicate old form, consider taking a couple of hours to clean her up so you can stop being shy about putting the ol' girl to work.
Just me. Trying to see if the comments work now that I’ve removed Capthcha from the posting process. : )
Heather
Say Hello & let me know if the comment process works okay. One reader had something weird happen on the last post. Thanks. -H
hello!
She looks lovely! great work.
Ingenious Heather! The old girl looks great!
She´s a beauty! 🙂
oooh this is inspirational, I have an old dressform that could use new covers, I will have to give this a try!
comments work great! I so need to get a dress form, self fitting and pinning is not the most accurate way!
What a gorgeous dress form! And you have three others! I’m dreaming of my first one, so now I’m curious. What features do you love and what could you live without if you had too? Any favorite brands?
I love the old girl too! Wish I had one 🙂
Hi, on the topic of comments. If comments have been made there is “comments” after the date, subject, and “permalink” and when I click on it then I see the comments and this lovely comment box.
If no one has commented on a post, I can’t find where to make the first comment. The link to “comments” is not there. Any ideas?
hi heather~
i was going to leave a comment on the “remind me post”, but was unable…
i too have a teenage chef in the house and she does a wonderful job- however a lot of the time i end up the “dish washer” (whether i want to or not) so i know where most of the cooking things end up 😉
i love your dress form ~i hope to find a vintage one someday too 🙂
Are you referring to the “Remind Me” post from June 29th? If so, I published that post with comments closed. I usually leave comments open, so that was probably a little confusing.
xo—Heather
Ha! I guess I should have left comments open on that post. I guess I just assumed such a shorty little post wouldn’t stir up much talk. Sorry about that.
xo—Heather
Yes, I believe that was the situation. And I am very much a newbie with regards to blogs and comment threads. Thanks for you response.
I need to find me an old lady for my new studio space! It’s nice to hear you kept the original linen underneath, it was pretty sweet lookin’!
Dear Heather, what’s her name??? I have an old form and just this week me and Mr. were talking about giving her a new cover. She spent a number of years in an attich and is dirty and “sooty” and I am afraid this will penetrate through the new fabric. I had thought of first draping her in a sturdy plastic bag and placing a new cover over that. Any thoughts or advice you would care to share? Thanks!