{"id":2242,"date":"2013-04-17T06:00:35","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T11:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/?p=2242"},"modified":"2016-02-06T01:04:19","modified_gmt":"2016-02-06T06:04:19","slug":"diy-duct-tape-dress-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/diy-duct-tape-dress-form\/","title":{"rendered":"My DIY Duct Tape Dress Form"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2640 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me.jpg\" alt=\"Make your own dress form body double using duct tape, newspaper and expanding foam. Step by step photo tutorial. So Sew Easy.\" width=\"400\" height=\"1200\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-100x300.jpg 100w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-217x650.jpg 217w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-50x150.jpg 50w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 400px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 400\/1200;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2640\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me.jpg\" alt=\"Make your own dress form body double using duct tape, newspaper and expanding foam. Step by step photo tutorial. So Sew Easy.\" width=\"400\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me.jpg 400w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-100x300.jpg 100w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-217x650.jpg 217w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Pin-me-50x150.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript>How to make a Duct Tape Dress Form &#8211; and how NOT to !<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2480 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010010-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"How to make a duct tape dress form - a perfect replica of you body shape. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2480\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010010-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"How to make a duct tape dress form - a perfect replica of you body shape. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>You might have seen these before. At some point or another, all sewers need to fit clothes so that they look flattering and are comfortable. But if there is just you, fitting and pinning alterations on yourself while you are wearing what needs adjustment is just plain difficult and sometimes near impossible. \u00a0This is why all keen sewers love a dress-form &#8211; a mannequin with their own\u00a0measurements\u00a0(as near as possible) so that the clothes can be made on the model and fitted to the person who will be wearing them.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly my budget does not extend to importing a dress-form so I decided to try to make my own body double using duct tape, newspaper and expanding foam.<\/p>\n<p><code><div><\/div><\/code><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>How to make a duct tape dress form.<\/h3>\n<p>(Excuse the photos, they were only ever intended for personal use but this was so much fun I had to share!)<\/p>\n<p>Here is how it started out. \u00a0I first wore an old close-fitting t-shirt that I didn't mind cutting up. \u00a0I extended at the bottom with a wrap of extra fabric around my hips and held it in place with some tape. \u00a0I tied my hair up out of the way. \u00a0Then we were ready to begin.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2492 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P10100011-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - the preparation\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2492\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P10100011-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - the preparation\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>You will need a helper. \u00a0Someone with whom you are quite close as this can be a very personal experience\u00a0involving\u00a0a lot of patting and smoothing of your personal areas! \u00a0Start by applying the tape under the bust and in a cross-your-heart through the\u00a0center\u00a0to give\u00a0individual\u00a0definition rather than end up with a single uni-boob!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2498 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010002-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - give the upper body shape and definition. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2498\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010002-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - give the upper body shape and definition. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Now start to fill in. \u00a0We decided to keep me cool and breathing easy in the Caribbean weather, we would start on the lower half first. \u00a0Using long strips of duct tape, overlap them concentrating on one area at a time, placing the tape horizontally and smoothing in place without pulling tight and distorting the body shape.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2499 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010003-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - place duct tape in long strips. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2499\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010003-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - place duct tape in long strips. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Remember that this is supposed to be a duplicate of your own body, flaws and all. \u00a0So don't pull tight around the waist or flatten your tummy to make it look better as tempting as that might be! \u00a0Keep going with the tape in long pieces, front, sides and back. \u00a0Continue down past the widest part of your hips, bottom and thighs so you can use it for fitting skirts and dresses too. \u00a0End at the bottom with a line of tape as near horizontal as possible.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2500 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010004-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - continue adding tape past the widest part of the body. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2500\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010004-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - continue adding tape past the widest part of the body. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>All done at the bottom? \u00a0Let's start adding tape to the top section. \u00a0Here shorter strips will be needed and will run in a more\u00a0diagonal\u00a0direction for a smoother finish rather than simple\u00a0straight\u00a0across. \u00a0I had a v-neck t-shirt so added a piece of fabric around the neck and across the V so the tape didn't stick to my skin.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2501 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010005-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - starting to feel rather hot now. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2501\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010005-487x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - starting to feel rather hot now. So Sew Easy\" width=\"487\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>At this stage you might start to feel rather self-conscious\u00a0as well as warm and\u00a0constricted,\u00a0and be keen to get this thing off you. \u00a0But your helper has invested a good deal of time in patting and smoothing your tape and getting their fingers all sticky. \u00a0So give them 5 minutes to enjoy laughing at you and taking silly photos while you melt in the very hot sunshine. \u00a0It's only fair.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2503 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010007-446x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - its getting pretty hot in here! So Sew Easy\" width=\"446\" height=\"650\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 446px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 446\/650;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2503\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010007-446x650.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - its getting pretty hot in here! So Sew Easy\" width=\"446\" height=\"650\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Now cut down the center back and\u00a0through\u00a0the back of the sleeves and remove. \u00a0Go take a nice cool shower! \u00a0Phew. \u00a0Connect the cut edges of the hollow form without overlapping and tape them back together again. \u00a0Cut some cardboard to top off the neck hole and the arm holes and tape these in place.<\/p>\n<p>Then scrunch up lots of sheets of newspaper and start to stuff your body firmly but without distorting or stretching if you can. \u00a0Make sure to keep turning it as you stuff to try to avoid too many voids and loose areas. \u00a0Once its pretty well stuffed with the scrunched up newspaper, fill in the bottom with cardboard and tape in place. \u00a0It will probably look something like this &#8211; still a little soft and baggy in places.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2505 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-500x631.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - first fill completed. Still needs more filling out. So Sew Easy.\" width=\"500\" height=\"631\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-500x631.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-768x969.jpg 768w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-1217x1536.jpg 1217w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-119x150.jpg 119w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008.jpg 1602w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 500\/631;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2505\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-500x631.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - first fill completed. Still needs more filling out. So Sew Easy.\" width=\"500\" height=\"631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-500x631.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-768x969.jpg 768w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-1217x1536.jpg 1217w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008-119x150.jpg 119w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010008.jpg 1602w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Spotted that can of expanding foam bottom left? \u00a0This is where the magic comes in. \u00a0Or in my case, the disaster! \u00a0Using a very sharp knife cut small holes in the tape at the places where there are voids in the stuffing, typically the bust, bottom, tummy etc. Insert the nozzle and squeeze in a <strong>little<\/strong> foam. \u00a0Notice I say a little! \u00a0I underestimated how much this stuff expands and I filled in all of the voids at this stage until it was smooth and perfectly finished. \u00a0Add a little tape over the cuts you just made.<\/p>\n<p>At this point I thought myself finished, measured my body form and was delighted to see that it was almost spot on to a fraction of an inch, to my own body\u00a0measurements.\u00a0 \u00a0It looked so good, was light and easy to move about, and I was delighted with the finished result.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2509 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010009-500x610.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - the finished body double. So Sew Easy\" width=\"500\" height=\"610\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 500\/610;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2509\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/P1010009-500x610.jpg\" alt=\"Duct tape dress form - the finished body double. So Sew Easy\" width=\"500\" height=\"610\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>All that remained was to get my husband to make a basic stand, stick it on and it was done. \u00a0Or so I thought.<\/p>\n<p>But in the morning, I was greeted by a monster! \u00a0The expanding foam had\u00a0continued\u00a0to slowly expand little by little overnight and\u00a0because\u00a0the form was already full, it had no where to go except to stretch and pull and\u00a0stretch\u00a0some more. \u00a0I was not really enormous, but my body double was no longer my double, but some deformed monstrosity of lumps and bumps.<\/p>\n<p>The foam was hard so there was nothing to be done to save it &#8211; we dressed it up in some old clothes and left it out the front of the house with the dustbins (trashcans if you are US). It was there a couple of days and must have given the passing tourists quite a shock!<\/p>\n<p>So, can this be done? \u00a0Absolutely. \u00a0It was going perfectly well\u00a0until\u00a0I got overzealous\u00a0with\u00a0the expanding foam. \u00a0If you want to make one of these, be sparing with the foam, leave it some hours to expand &#8211; you can always add a little more later, but you cannot remove your ugly lumps and bumps if it expands too far.<\/p>\n<p>I do recommend this project &#8211; it really was a lot of fun. \u00a0Anyone else out there had a go at making their own duct tape dress form?<\/p>\n<p>Authored by: <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/u\/0\/117695635189754905375?rel=author\">Deby at So Sew Easy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>If You'd Like To Support Our Site<\/h2>\r\nIf you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/free-sewing-patterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free sewing patterns<\/a> and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.\u00a0 We'd really, really appreciate it.\r\n\r\n<center><div class=\"ko-fi-button\" data-text=\"Buy me a coffee!\" data-color=\"#ff5f5f\" data-code=\"\" id=\"kofiShortcode141Html\" style=\"float: none; text-align: left;\"><\/div><\/center>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to make a Duct Tape Dress Form &#8211; and how NOT to ! You might have seen these before. At some point or another, all sewers need to fit clothes so that they look flattering and are comfortable. But if there is just you, fitting and pinning alterations on \u2026 <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/diy-duct-tape-dress-form\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[11,89,38],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2242"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}