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Question of simple DIY tailors dummy

I've done the drap the shirt-in-process-in-front-of-a-mirror thing, and found it to be time consuming and more than a bit of pain

Male tailors dummies are hard to find, new or used, and are quite pricey to boot. I've checked out "body casting", various DIY tailors dummy applications, duct tape and everything else I could find. None looked to be particually good for my needs.

Then I wondered, "What if I just used ordinary stiff wire to make a "hanger" the width and slope of my shoulders, and the width and height and slope of my torso?", a two-dimensional dummy of the shirt I want to end up with, rather than a three-dimensional dummy of my body.

I have Wild Ginger software to make a sloper, or I could use a current shirt I like the fit of.

What's say? Anybody ever use something similar to effect? It certainly would be cheap and quick to make.

TIA

Reply to
JAX
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I see where you are going, but I feel compelled to remind you the shirt has to fit and look good on your 3D body. And haven't we all seen the "looks good on a hanger, looks horrible on the body" issue??? So, if you're going to go to the effort, you might as well make a duct tape dummy or something like that.

It's not hard to make a pattern off an existing garment. If you've never done it, here are some links you might want to look at:

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I remember there being a better webpage about rubbing a pattern off an existing garment, but I sure can't find it. (luckily, there are better Googlers here than me!!! Someone else will likely find and post it fo for you.)

Here's another method you might want to look at for making a body double.

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Sharon

Reply to
mamahays

Jax,

I've used Nancy Zieman's technique to use a existing garment that fits well, it's called 'copycat patterns.' The TV episode is here:

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if you are real adventurious, you can 'clone' a duplicate of yourself using duct tape using these directions from Threads magazine:

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I've also just taken apart a garment that fit well but was too worn. My method is to cut it right down the middle. Keep one half intact to help you as a sewing guide on putting the pieces together, and take the other half completely apart to use for pattern pieces. Remember to add a seam allowance, and to put the appropriate pieces such as the back part and the collar pieces on the fold of the new fabric. This method has worked really well for me and I've used it numerious times

--in fact I'm using this process now. I took apart a top about two weeks ago and have so far made three duplicates of it.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

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wholesalewal.com

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