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This article was co-authored by David Reeves. David Reeves is a Bespoke Tailor and the Founder of Reeves: Modern English Tailoring, based in New York City. David has been in the bespoke tailoring business for over 25 years and specializes in designing and creating custom, high-end suits. David has worked with influential names in the United Kingdom and the United States such as Richard James of Savile Row, Prada, Commes Des Garcons, and Timothy Everest.
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This article has been viewed 180,334 times.
If you make your own clothes, or want to start, you will need a dress body to help you make sure they will fit. Now, you could pay a ton of money for an industrial one, or you could make one for less than $15.
Steps
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![Step 1 Get a helper, it makes it a lot easier.]()
Get a helper, it makes it a lot easier. -
![Step 2 Wear a well...]()
Wear a well fitted bra and panties and an old tight t-shirt to help get the shape of the form as close as possible to how your body looks.Advertisement -
![Step 3 Begin wrapping the tape horizontally where you want the bottom of the form to start.]()
Begin wrapping the tape horizontally where you want the bottom of the form to start. Mid thigh is a great place. Continue until you (or your helper) gets to right under your breasts.[1] -
![Step 4 Here, cut the tape after making a complete layer.]()
Here, cut the tape after making a complete layer. Now start to vertically cover from the bottom to about one inch below your collarbone. -
![Step 5 Resume the horizontal taping from where you left off under the breasts, wrapping until you reach the armpit.]()
Resume the horizontal taping from where you left off under the breasts, wrapping until you reach the armpit.[2] -
![Step 6 Now vertically wrap from the back over the shoulders to where you left off.]()
Now vertically wrap from the back over the shoulders to where you left off. The arms will come last. -
![Step 7 Be careful to leave at least half an inch between the tape and the skin.]()
Be careful to leave at least half an inch between the tape and the skin. -
![Step 8 Diagonally make a v-shape from the edge of the tape on the shoulder to where the tape on the chest stops.]()
Diagonally make a v-shape from the edge of the tape on the shoulder to where the tape on the chest stops.[3] -
![Step 9 On the back, go as high as the shirt will allow you while keeping the half-inch rule in mind.]()
On the back, go as high as the shirt will allow you while keeping the half-inch rule in mind. -
![Step 10 After there is...]()
After there is only a half inch between the skin and the tape, wrap up to the top of the collarbone with plastic wrap or some other cloth. Now cover the neck and the collarbone with the tape. -
![Step 11 Now it's time to make the arms.]()
Now it's time to make the arms. -
![Step 12 Starting at the edge of the shoulder, wrap the arms vertically until you are satisfied with the length.]()
Starting at the edge of the shoulder, wrap the arms vertically until you are satisfied with the length. -
![Step 13 Once you have done this, connect the underarm to the body by following the line of the armpit.]()
Once you have done this, connect the underarm to the body by following the line of the armpit. -
![Step 14 Repeat the taping process two more times, first vertically, then horizontally, smoothing the tape as you go.]()
Repeat the taping process two more times, first vertically, then horizontally, smoothing the tape as you go. -
![Step 15 Mark off anything you want to keep located such as the waist, hip, etc.]()
Mark off anything you want to keep located such as the waist, hip, etc.[4] -
![Step 16 Have your assistant cut a line down the back, being careful not to cut the undergarments or you.]()
Have your assistant cut a line down the back, being careful not to cut the undergarments or you.[5] -
![Step 17 Once you have the form off, close up the cut with additional tape, reinforcing it on both sides.]()
Once you have the form off, close up the cut with additional tape, reinforcing it on both sides. -
![Step 18 Close up the bottom with more tape.]()
Close up the bottom with more tape. -
![Step 19 Fill the form with some cheap poly batting, taking care to compress it as far as you can.]()
Fill the form with some cheap poly batting, taking care to compress it as far as you can. -
![Step 20 Close off the top and make a stand (not out of duct tape)]()
Close off the top and make a stand (not out of duct tape)
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Tips
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To make a stand, you can use an old weight (The kind with a hole in the middle) or an old Christmas tree stand and a metal pipe or the stick off a mop or broom. Simply make sure that it is sturdy and stick on the form, cutting a point of entry and exit in the top and bottom. To top it off, use some kind of round knob.Thanks
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Warnings
- Don't use a shirt you will regret losing.Thanks
- Scissors are sharp. They can easily cut you. Use medical scissors if possible.Thanks
- Duct tape is very irritating to skin. Make sure you keep the half inch rule in mind the entire time the tape is being applied.[6]Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- About 1.5 to 2 60" rolls of duct tape
- Close fitting undergarments
- Old form fitting t-shirt
- Patience
- Scissors
- Helper
- ruler
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about crafting, check out our in-depth interview with David Reeves.
References
- ↑ https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/10/24/quick-and-easy-duct-tape-dress-form
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voFRL-BSvwY
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voFRL-BSvwY
- ↑ https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/10/24/quick-and-easy-duct-tape-dress-form
- ↑ https://offbeatbride.com/duct-tape-dress-form/
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20061108/removing-warts-with-duct-tape-may-not-be-effective
About This Article
Bespoke Tailor
This article was co-authored by David Reeves. David Reeves is a Bespoke Tailor and the Founder of Reeves: Modern English Tailoring, based in New York City. David has been in the bespoke tailoring business for over 25 years and specializes in designing and creating custom, high-end suits. David has worked with influential names in the United Kingdom and the United States such as Richard James of Savile Row, Prada, Commes Des Garcons, and Timothy Everest. This article has been viewed 180,334 times.
Co-authors: 12
Updated: September 23, 2024
Views: 180,334
Categories: Duct Tape Crafts
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 180,334 times.
Reader Success Stories
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"I have needed a dress form and cannot afford one in my size. This will help me make adjustments in my clothing instead of going to a tailor, as I keep losing weight and just want my dresses taken in along the current seams."..." more
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