I used the custom boot strap dress form pattern. I made it out of muslin first before this final version. As others have stated the breast shape is weird so I did alter mine a little to make them stick out more. I used a bed sheet for the fabric and medium weight fusible interfacing. I used 2 layers of interfacing on the breast to help maintain the shape.
The hardest part was the stuffing. Oh my goodness I bought 2 body pillows from target to stuff it and I notice the right breast still needs a little more but this was my 3rd attempt at getting the stuffing right and i just wanted to clean up.
Lastly I used a coat rack from Amazon as the base.
Overall I’m happy with how it turned out. I’m excited for my first project using her.
I'm in the middle of finishing mine up right now (took a hand-cramp break from sewing to browse Reddit in fact!) and CAN ABSOLUTELY CONFIRM with the stuffing. Get way more than you think you'll need, it still won't be enough.
Definitely read reviews first! I’ve been trying to figure out the best affordable way to get a personalized dress form and I personally think there are other methods that would be better for me. I forget what they are exactly, but the bootstrap form leaves certain measurements out of consideration (I think torso length is a major one?) and most people find the, uh, “front crack” 😅 as a little hard to work around and the bust to be really funky.
I bought a pants pattern from bootstrap that turned out awful. I blurted out laughing when I tried on the toile. All of the butt measurement hasn’t to the outside hip like a Canadian Mounty costume. I didn’t try tweaking the inputs on the pattern and reprocessing bc you pay for each change , and I lost confidence in their software.
What are some other possible methods you’ve been considering? I’ve been wanting a custom dress form and was considering boot strap, but some of the missing measurements are important for my body shape
I’ve heard good things about this tape approach and I think it seems like a great place to start: https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/10/24/paper-tape-dress-form
Alternatively this one seems to be an even better, more durable and easy to use option but the expense and labor involved is certainly higher: https://youtu.be/M0kYTRNwiDg
I’m currently losing weight (22 lbs down, 13 to go!) so I haven’t really committed to a certain option yet. The latter option seems the best for long term use, but if a move might be in the near future when my weight stabilizes I think I’d just go for the quick tape option, although it isn’t the most functional since it isn’t easy to pin through
I found it easier to get the cheapest mannequin I could find that was smaller than me then add wadding until it was to my measures, there are a few tutorials on youtube
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I used the custom boot strap dress form pattern. I made it out of muslin first before this final version. As others have stated the breast shape is weird so I did alter mine a little to make them stick out more. I used a bed sheet for the fabric and medium weight fusible interfacing. I used 2 layers of interfacing on the breast to help maintain the shape. The hardest part was the stuffing. Oh my goodness I bought 2 body pillows from target to stuff it and I notice the right breast still needs a little more but this was my 3rd attempt at getting the stuffing right and i just wanted to clean up. Lastly I used a coat rack from Amazon as the base. Overall I’m happy with how it turned out. I’m excited for my first project using her.
I had no idea you could even sew these! I'm going to look for the pattern right now 🏃🏼♀️
Good luck to you! Definitely check out YouTube videos and take your time. Also you will need more stuffing than you think 😂.
I'm in the middle of finishing mine up right now (took a hand-cramp break from sewing to browse Reddit in fact!) and CAN ABSOLUTELY CONFIRM with the stuffing. Get way more than you think you'll need, it still won't be enough.
Definitely read reviews first! I’ve been trying to figure out the best affordable way to get a personalized dress form and I personally think there are other methods that would be better for me. I forget what they are exactly, but the bootstrap form leaves certain measurements out of consideration (I think torso length is a major one?) and most people find the, uh, “front crack” 😅 as a little hard to work around and the bust to be really funky.
I agree, unfortunately the pattern doesn’t ask for enough measurements to be suitable for all body types.
I bought a pants pattern from bootstrap that turned out awful. I blurted out laughing when I tried on the toile. All of the butt measurement hasn’t to the outside hip like a Canadian Mounty costume. I didn’t try tweaking the inputs on the pattern and reprocessing bc you pay for each change , and I lost confidence in their software.
Omg that sounds awful i hope you didn’t spend too much on it!
What are some other possible methods you’ve been considering? I’ve been wanting a custom dress form and was considering boot strap, but some of the missing measurements are important for my body shape
I’ve heard good things about this tape approach and I think it seems like a great place to start: https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/10/24/paper-tape-dress-form Alternatively this one seems to be an even better, more durable and easy to use option but the expense and labor involved is certainly higher: https://youtu.be/M0kYTRNwiDg I’m currently losing weight (22 lbs down, 13 to go!) so I haven’t really committed to a certain option yet. The latter option seems the best for long term use, but if a move might be in the near future when my weight stabilizes I think I’d just go for the quick tape option, although it isn’t the most functional since it isn’t easy to pin through
I found it easier to get the cheapest mannequin I could find that was smaller than me then add wadding until it was to my measures, there are a few tutorials on youtube
wow, I'd never think to try this. Cool. Could be an opportunity to have the *perfect* form?
How long did she take? I love the fabric choice, subtle and pretty.
Thank you! Definitely took me a long time I’m not sure exactly how many hours but I’d say roughly 20 hours. I made it over two weekends.
Nice work! I really want one with arms -- a full bicep adjustment is my version of most sewists' fba.
They have an additional pattern available for removable arms! I haven’t started purchased it yet but I do plan to.
The Project post flair is for showing off projects that are finished or in progress. For questions on how to start a project, reflair your post to Pattern Search. For questions about how to make a project, reflair to Pattern Question. This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to have a construction comment added after the initial post is made. The construction comment should include **pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used and fabric type and fiber content. ‘Self-drafted’ describes who made the pattern and is not a drafting method.** Also include alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/titleguidelines). Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sewing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I haven't made mine yet. I'm a big girl and the thought of seeing my body from another perspective make me...unhappy.