Dressmakers and seamtresses, come over here and recommend me a maniquin.

[ArmedAndDangerous]

I am treating myself to a dress makers maniquin and need something that can be varied in the measurements as have interesting proportions. Tiny back, large bust and thunder thighs. One of the reasons why i want a maniquin so that i can tailor the clothes to fit properally, which i cant do on me.

So what can you recommend? What have you used and got? What would you stay away from? Why?

i would go for the diy option as i have never found one that i could adjust t fit my shape.

samstermommy.blogspot.com/2009/08/duct-tape-dress-form-tutorial.html

I went for the Diana dressform and padded! She has an old bra on, stuffed with padding as I too have a tiny back but large jugs.....

Also used some wadding to give her that authentic mummy tummy

Sorry lara but you make me smile. The bra thing was exactly what i was thinking about needing to do.

I was wandering if the maniquins which have adjustable measurements with wheels are anygood or do the wheels stick and cause problems?

I've got an adjustaform Lady Valet (customised with ginormobra and bottom patting), and I'm really happy with it - plenty of adjustment points, and a bit less wobbly than some cheaper dummies.

Saying that, when I'm finally done childbearing and my size isn't fluctuating so much, I'm fully intending to buy a solid mannequin and pad it out like gertie. Adjustable mannequins are never going to be spot on, and at best you're looking at somewhere to pin for drape, shape and hemlines etc, rather than something to actually fit clothes to.

wow - just come back to this and that solid form is amazing. WOuldnt even know where to start for doing something like that. I am just a dabbler in dress making. I suspect for my purpose atm that the lady valet might be an option. It is going to be a glorified pining platform for now rather then a form for making my own designs.

thank you.