DIY Duct Tape Mannequin | Under $20 Dress Form!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ม.ค. 2019
- I get a lot of comments from my viewers asking me where to get an inexpensive dress form so today I'm going to demonstrate how you can make your own out of duct tape for under $20! This is how I started in high school and used mine for a couple years until my dad gifted me with my very first dress form. The duct tape form has its cons, but if you're like me you'll make it work! :)
Materials:
2-3 Rolls of good quality duct tape
Lamp Stand (I had at home, you can probably thrift something for very cheap!)
Cardboard
Newspaper/scrap fabric
Scissors
Shoulder pads/sticky boobs (optional)
1-2 people to help you
This is the professional dress form I use:
amzn.to/2SV5egP - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![เจ้าผู้เดียว - ดิด คิตตี้ [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q0NLCYKBOTo/mqdefault.jpg)
The duct tape dress is a look, tbh.
LOL! I was thinking that while wearing it too!
TRUTH.
Jeanne D'Arc's armour vibes!
Haha was thinking that too! Would make a base for a killer Halloween costume
Jasmine - Ruff-Puff i can see Kim KW wearing it lol
A couple that tapes together stays together
or a couple that tapes together _sticks_ together
Nice
I was just thinking I would rather have my husband cut it than let my mom... I'm pretty sure she would slip and cut me. XD
bridget Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss thank you that’s what I needed
@@miamazingness my mother would have cut 50 different times
This is actually really cool. Especially since my body is disproportionate and not like many others my size.
Thank you for this comment! :)
My grandmother has quite severe scoliosis, and found that making a dress form like this really helped
your average person has a disproportionate body
Your body is not "disproportionate"! 😣 Your body has your own proportions defined by your genetics, circumstances and lifestyle - as are everyone's body proportions! It's the standardised sizes that are "disproportionate" compared to most people's real bodies!
@@Czadzikable I'm not sure you know what disproportionate means 🤔
Use the brown water-activated paper tape! Needles won't get sticky and it is way sturdier, less flimsy! I recommend about 3 layers!
where can one find it. It is no longer common in stationery stores.
@@yoshiew05 Where I live (Europe) you still can find it easily in art supply stores!
@@ttthildeee Is it the paper tape you stretch out water colour paintings with?
@@missmatti Yes I that's the same!
In the US and Canada, I'd suggest Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Any arts and crafts store. Sometimes you can find it in Hardware stores. In Germany, Idee Kreativ, Rayer, Gerstaeker, Bösner they should all have this. The last two stores you will need a membership card for, and proof you have an artistic job. (The edit is the elaboration of what an artistic job is, you are simply required to bring legal documents, like your graduation report card or deploma as proof that you have finished school and stating that you have studied an artistic or creative job. It has nothing to do with discrimination. It's similar to stores for hairdressers, metal workers, ect...company stores that do not cater or sell their items to the public.)
I suggest drawing marks on the back so when you take the two sides together you can just line up the markers
good idea
Thank you! great suggestion
Make the cut in an uneven zig-zag pattern. That way it's easier to match together the sides.
like registration lines!!!
My friend who does scenography for theatre plays made one of these some time ago for a play. She needed a male form so she used her brother as a “model”. I remember visiting her flat at the time and walking into the living room to find a scantily clad guy semi-covered in duct tape 😂😂
Jenny S 😂😂😂😂
hahaha
Hahahahah lol nice
That hilarious! And super embarrassing.... 😂
to miss april and anyone else who would like a tip !!!! you can make the dress form like this, then cover it with a thin layer of quilting batting. after that, you can put a dress form cover over the batting so that it hides it ! now you can stick pins in your dress form without them getting sticky. you can also continue to add more stuffing if your measurements change. happy sewing everybody, and i can't wait to see your future projects april !!!
Awesome! I'm so glad you wrote this :)
Thank you for the tip - I'm planning on making one of these to match my 'real' shape - you've saved me A Lot of trial & error!
Good idea! I also was thinking to add stuffing/padding, so glad to see your comment since I'm new to sewing!
Would the layer of batting change the measurements too much? I mean.. since the form is tight to your body, and then adding the batting is making the form wider, would it matter too much?
@@goof4i That's what I'm thinking.
love this idea especially for me who is just learning how to sew and would like a dress form.
It helped me so much when I first started :)
@negima50001 I wish there was more freebie patterns with this. I'm just starting out sewing. I'm sure I can find others online though!
Same! I'm afraid I will later decide I don't like sewing, so I want to spend as little money as possible at first. XD
I’m getting ready to make my second one of these. I used the duct tape model as a base to put paper mache over. You can use either paper mache paste and newspaper or you can use postal tape (the kind you get wet) cut into small pieces. I used several layers of mache to make a strong model. After it’s dry, remove the duck tape/stuffed form. You can cover your new dress form in a tight t-shirt so that you have a better surface for pinning. It’s much more stable and solves the sticky pin issue.
Your paper mache dress forms can become an Iron Man costume.
Can u tell me how many duct tape rolls will I need
@@yangdaybhutia in the video she said at least 3. She's a size 4. I'm a size 14. Maybe I'd buy 4 rolls...
@@miriammeyers1982 thank you
Is it still possible to fit clothes on it, when it is this sturdy?
Hey everyone! I hope this diy mannequin can help some of you out. I know it has its cons and isn't perfect but when you're just starting out, it can be very helpful to visually see your ideas on a figure. Thank you for watching! More sewing videos coming soon :)
Thanks for this👍
Been awhile I saw your video gal😍
I literally went out and bought duct tape as soon as I finished watching this. My lovely patient partner helped me make one without arms and I'm so incredibly happy. Thank you!!
I took a picture of her with one of my dresses on but I don't know how to attach it.
Love your channel. I've been wanting a dress form but don't want to pay the high price...I'm
going out to get some duck tape right now.
Thank you April.
This is a great video! I made my own a few years back in much the same fashion and have a couple of alternatives for steps in your vid if you're interested!
For filling, I used expanding foam, which was added in sections and left to expand/dry - it made it nice and sturdy! It also wasn't expensive, I found cans of this foam in the dollar store.
For the bust, I found that just simply using an old bra I was going to throw out worked well, I just put it in the mannequin and it was good to go!
pro tip: you can make sticky boobs sticky again by washing them with dish soap. i did it all the time for pageants!!
I use mine for a good amount of times before they really don't stick anymore! But yes, after every use I do wash with soap and store away :)
Nice DIY! But why must dress forms be so expensive though😩
lol I know girl...but they are such a great investment
It gets worse when you want one customised to your measurements... can cost upwards of a grand on those. My friend is tempted to do that with a vendor coming to the next Sew Expo but it's definitely a budget busting move...
As negima50001 mentioned, bootstrapfashion offers patterns to make your own dressform. And they are available in standard sizes as well as a custumisable version. They look awesome!
A great option is stores that are going out of business! Like there was a sears shutting down in the mall near me and they were selling their dress form style mannequins for only 40 bucks! I’m so sad I didn’t get one but I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more going out of business signs
@@singerforever223 where you live at? That's not a bad price for them.
Finding male body forms to custom sizing is difficult. I've seen this tutorial before but you really made it unique with the side by side comparisons, the pros and con break down, and the customization aspect of the construction of the form (shoulder pads to enhance bust). Thank you for this!
Modern male dress forms for very small framed men are literally impossible to buy. The only ones I have found with my measurements have been very expensive and/or unusably delicate antique ones.
I am going to make a duck tape one and then use it as a guide for a custom made fabric vrs. It's going to be a real challenge but really worth it!
Persomnus How did it go?
@@persomnus bootstrap patterns makes a male dressform custom to your measurements, Im currently working on mine
Suggestion...You might want to try and tape a long zipper to the back, trust me, it will make it so0o0o0o much easier to get out of. All you need to do is get an extra long zipper.... tape it to the center back. lay the tape in long or short sections to tape it in place and proceed with the rest of the dress.
Susan Blish that's brilliant!
Wow what a great idea!
I thought of that but it would also make putting the tape SO MUCH HARDER, like trying to not put it over the zipper and still show most of the person shape would be really hard.
@@KaleidoscopeEffect maybe install the zipper on the dress/tshirt instead, and duct-tape around that, and then when out of it, cover the zipper with said duct tape?
Susan, you are a genius! I didnt want to do this because I didnt trust anyone to cut it off me. You just fixed that problem. Thank you!!
You guys are so cute. I love how supportive Eric is.
Hahah he didn't do a bad job :P
Attach a pin cushion to the top dress form. Thank you the info with use it all. My mother was the best seamstress And now she gone. I have to search my memories for guidance. She a job that had to do. Cut down a size 18 to a size 3. Man did she blow all our mind's. And the young lady just cried with joy. Because it was her wedding dress. And only charged the lady $35.00. Because that was all the money the lady had. God blessed my mother. Even in her passing. The oddest job I saw was darnning socks. That was a job she taught me well.
Great idea for sticky ended pins only putting the tomato pin cushion on the neck, very handy too...
God will bless her children because she has blessed others. May you be blessed
A good tip for cutting yourself out and reconnecting your tape mannequin is drawing with sharpie, a straight line where you're going to cut and do small horizontal lines all the way along where you're going to cut and realign those as you tape it back up.
Step thirteen: after standing for five hours, draw on a spine to help you through the rest of the projet.
Or just cut in jagged zigzags which are just as helpful and you can just tape over.
Oh gosh. I was clenching my own buttcheeks when he started cutting lmao
right. all I was thinking about was scissors to the butthole >.
@@tylercotter9282 LMFAO
haha same, my fists were so tight like, "pleeasee, don't cut her"
It'll be time intensive but another thing you can do is after making the duct tape form you can draw on it and cut it in 1/2 to turn into a fabric version. You just have to remember to add seam allowance to each piece and once all sewn together you have a stuffed fabric version that's as close to your actual body as possible.
I was wondering the same thing. Do you think some thick, non-stretchy, canvasy material would work?
@@miamazingness check out the Bootstrapfashion custom DIY dress form pattern, upholstery fabric is usually recommended, with facing
I had a friend who did medieval armor. He would do this for making mannequins to fit armor pieces to so a customer didn't have to keep coming in for test fittings. He would do 4-5 layers of tape so the form would last longer.
When I did this the first time, I had friends help me who were quite shy in touching me, so the form ended up way chubbier than me. Get people to help you, who are not afraid to touch your boobs and butt and be gentle in the boob area to not flatten it too much. Or wear a bra while making it.
Also the sticky needles are super annoying, so follow the advice from the lady somewhere below who suggested butchers tape
I'm actually a bit chubby, but I'm gonna be wearing a bra that's also a push up so that I can customize the inside of my costume forms from the mold.
What is butchers tape? (I'm German and can't find it in the internet either, please help)
It's a roll of paper strip, that has an adhesive on one side that activates by moisture. Kind of like stamps, that stick, when you lick them. Ich glaube auf deutsch sagen wir "gummiertes Papier", aber ich weiß nicht ob wir ein Wort für diese Streifen haben.
@@NeverLoveNiila Thank you kind stranger!
look at stores that are going out of business!!!! i got my dress form from urban outfitters, they were getting rid of old mannequins and the ones they use are basically just dress forms. it was only $25 and it’s super pretty as well!!!
not everyone is the size or shape of pre made ones
I've helped to do this for a cosplayer, it took hours. The directions were to tape horizontal, then vertical, then diagonal for stress areas, then lastly horizontal top to bottom. It was a nightmare. Then trying to cut it off took at least 30 minutes. The zipper idea sounds like it would have helped. Poor girl got bad cramps from standing in one position for so long. So be prepared to stand for a long time and empty your bladder before you start.
When I made mine I put a wooden hangar inside the shoulders with a hook that turns. I can hang it in a doorway.
the amount of love, cooperation, trust and teamwork that went into the taping❤️
This is a great idea! But man... It's giving me flashbacks to when I created a life sized tape sculpture for a highschool art assignment...
We just used clear tape for that project and it worked out pretty well! We found it especially helpful because it meant we had thinner and thicker tape variants to work with - making it easier to get round little curved edges. Though it all required many *many* MANY rolls of tape... Sooooo many rolls of tape...
I love that you help people be very economical but still use good concepts, like using a form.
This is perfect! And you can get measurements for your body! Will absolutely make one!
Yep! and if you're making things for other people, you can always add padding to areas that need more :)
I used to make a duct tape form of my feet and of families feet... so that way making slippers and socks ... for Christmas presents was easier. This is brilliant.
Shoutout to your man, he's the real MVP
I made one of these years ago and it served me very very well. I loved it. I have a slight curve in my back and was able to adjust my patterns to suit me perfectly
I needed this a years ago 😭 you're so clever!!!
When resealing the form why not lay a strip of tape facing out attached from the inside so that you can match the two sides without pushing down and crushing the form? You can press up from the inside matching the two edges perfectly. Just my logistics. I hope it helps someone!
Lynette Foxen Super idea!
Yeah, I don't understand why they didn't do this as it seems so obvious! 😅
Ooooooooh!!! Thank you 😅💕
@@Czadzikable 'seams' so obvious. . . lol
You're so creative 😍 it's cool how you think bout people who started sew now or don't have money to buy expensive things!! I love your channel and all amazing things you inspire us to do. Tks ❤️
I love looking back at how I got started and this was one of the things that helped me out a lot! I hope it can help new designers out there too :)
Thank you for this! I’ve been sewing casually for years but I’m starting to try making garments. I don’t want to drop money on a dress form that may just end up collecting dust and I figured someone out there has probably DIYed one and behold! Thank you thank you thank you!
Just a note for any Australians out there: use gaffa tape, not electrical tape (the stretchy tape), your form will be too tight and sticky. Gaffa tape has the fibers in it that will stop the tape stretching too much when being unrolled/wrapped around you ❤️
Love this video, long time follower! 🙌❤️
That's really nice! I saw this idea a lot, but I was suspicious. Now that you did and showed the whole process, told us all the cons, I'm cool bc I trust you. Thank you!
So clever!
I love how she put it on details by showing step by step. nice fit!
Thank you April for an honest and balanced assessment of this approach. Very helpful!
This was utterly brilliant! I have been sewing a long time, and have never thought of this. Very clever, April, well done!
I've done smaller scale forms like this, with mixed materials, and done a form like this for myself as well. To combine a few of the things I've learned by watching and by doing:
- Guide marks: Wherever you're going to put your seam, use a marker, and give yourselves guides to line up on either side of the seam. It helps to make sure you don't wind up with a lopsided form when you seal the seam.
- Mixed materials: You can use either paper or a couple pieces of masking tape to create a seam on the back that can be torn, rather than cut. I usually will use a length of some cord long enough to stick out both ends of the seam (a shoelace works plenty fine), and use that to cut through the seam.
- Old clothes: In a pinch, instead of buying cloth to make a disposable item like the base of this form, old garments that aren't going to see future use are easily recycled this way.
- Foam: If you splurge on using foam instead of filling with newspaper and old fabric clippings, you can get a more sturdy form. Use foam that requires mixing and pouring, or buy cans of expanding foam and spray in small layers. Doing the foam fill around the stand will give a more stable form, particularly if the top of the stand has a wider or flared top, so that it will be held in place by the foam once it expands and hardens. Note that if you use the expanding foam in a can, you want to err on the side of thinner layers; you might like your brownies with an inner gooey layer, but you don't want your form to be that way. The foam's also sturdy enough that, if you want, you can later remove the duct tape layers, and put an old garment on the mannequin to hide the foam.
Crafting is a great pursuit. You learn a lot, including that you can do a lot more than you would otherwise think. Cliché, but enjoy the journey.
Thank you so much for this! I just recently started learning to sew and don't have enough money for a basic dress form, much less everything I need to customize it to my body type 😭 after searching TH-cam for hours for an AFFORDABLE solution I came across this video and it literally saved me! Thank you so much!!!
Great idea with the tape! A long time ago when I sewed a lot, I made one by stuffing a thin fabric, skin tight fitting, long sleeve turtle neck top (with my bra glued on the inside-I wore it while the glue dried) connected to a pair of thin fabric, skin tight fitting pants mounted on a repurposed coat tree. Stuck a wig head thingy on top for hats. It worked great!
If only we had youtube when I was coming up... thanks for sharing such a neat idea! I will pass it on to my daughter.
I remember some girl in my high school her prom dress was duck tape 💕❤💜
XD I would love to have that kind of confidence.
That's actually really smart. And if nothing else, it would be a great replacement for stuff like bones when making a bodice for a dress.
FAQ: How do you go to the bathroom in that?
Tony: Like this.... (proceeds to pee while wearing it)
YEY, IRON MAN!!! 😊😊😊
Nice dress... No worries, no hassles... No need for a dry cleaners afterwards.
But... Do you wear diapers?
I like that you shared how to do it and then reviewed your experience.
I can’t wait to make this! It’s really going to help me visualize what I’m trying to make instead of the fabric laying down 😊
I'll just throw in a couple thoughts on problems you ran into:
It might be easier to tape it back together if you fill it with the stuffing first.
Masking tape might be better than duct tape. It's cheaper and won't make needles sticky.
dang ive been watching you since i was in high school. i made my first cosplay with your help! (2013)
Aw thanks for the comment!
LOVE THIS!! I have been wondering on how to make a sort of dress form for cheap and then this sewing fairy appeared 🙌🏼
What a great example of not having everything perfect to get started in your goals! Way to be creative and go after what you need to get what you want, until you can get something better!
Even this duct tape and black dress combination looks amazing on you !!!?! 🙄
This is so useful, and I loved the evaluation at the end
This looks like couples therapy! The fun kind!
Wow April I’m amazed at how inventive you are
Getting out of it was a hell of a trust exercise 😂👍🏾
I thought about doing something like this yesterday and poof, here's how to do it. I was wondering if it would help to draw horizontal lines across the back to make it easier to put together. That way you can see exactly where the tape should connect. I'm definitely going to try this out, as my attempts to make fitted skirts from patterns have been disastrous.
We used this technique with masking tape to make very basic corset type tops for a creative fashion show in college. The masking tape holds really well and is more flexible than duct tape. Also it's super easy to glue stuff on or even sow through it afterwards.
in my college tailoring class, some time back in the 20th century, we had to make mannequins exactly to our dimensions. it took a bit of time to do and more materials than a couple of rolls of duct tape. 40+ years later, my mannequin still lives with me though she and i are not the same size - i put too much effort into that baby to ever get rid of it. watching you use duct tape to come up with a reasonable looking mannequin made me think of how much time we could have saved. if i can find one or two people to help, this would be a great way for me to bring 'broomhilda' (named by my roommate) up to my older body self. you did a great job, thank you for sharing your how-to.
They don't sell dress forms my size so this tutorial is perfect for me. (the plus sizes are always too small) And if the ducktape annoys me too much, I can always used it just once and create a fabric version the same size. Thank you!
Really neat idea...though some of us would need waaaay more tape! Lol
@negima50001 Why? I don't make any clothes.
Brilliant, thank you! Been looking for a dress form to fit my size/shape without success - now I can make myself a perfect body-double!
Such a cheap and creative solution, you're my new hero.
Yesssss i needed this!
Hope it helps you out :)
I’ve always wanted to do this.
This is so smart! Thank you for the video. Your boyfriend is so supportive. 💕💕💕💕
I've been wanting to start sewing my own dresses, but all of the forms in my size are so expensive!! This is such a better option thank you so much!!
Such a great idea. It would certainly be a great for those of us whose measurements aren't anything like a standard dress form.
Thank you so much! My mom has one, but I needed one of my own and can't afford one so this is really helpful!
No problem! I'm happy it could help you
Lol ill take it
Thanks for showing how to do this. One thought I had to help alignment after the cut. I would tape string vertically to help get a straight line plus add horizontal lines perpendicular to the straight line. That way, one you go to tape it back up you have some marks to help with the alignment. Great tips and for those of us that are casual sewers this is definitely a helpful tool to help with fitting. Thanks again!
Excuse me but this was freaking brilliant. A customized mannequin on a budget. Brilliant.
You can also add registration marks to the back (or where you’ll cut) so it’s easier to align the form and put it back together. :) also, using shorter pieces of tape helps to reduce the lumpiness and is easier to work with. :D
Years ago, when I made mine (since lost in the many moves and such), I covered it with a layer of cotton batting and a layer of knit fabric. I had a problem with sticky pins, and put another couple layers of padding on top. just to allow for pinning. I used the heck out of that body.
Maybe it's time for another?
i really appreciate the choice in music, what a jam ! yea! fantastic vid!
Guy this is amazing!!!! the easiest way to make a mannequin of my own without spending a pretty penny. Thanks a lot
I'm actually early for a video for once.
Yaaay!! Thanks for watching :)
I received a dress form for Christmas, but my waist is 1 in more than the dress form can be adjusted to. I'm adding a thick webbed belt (the same color as the dress form too) to the waist instead of returning the form for the bigger one.
danielle !!! you can also add strips of quilting batting to the waist of your dress form, then hide that with a dress form cover. this trick really helped me when I got bigger during high school.
You can always add padding to go up a size but you cannot shrink a dress form, so that’s actually a good thing
I put a webbed belt around the waist of it and it's perfect fit for what I needed.
I've realised I need a dress form so I'm very grateful for this
this is FANTASTIC!!! Thank you!!! I was really struggling because I wanted a dress form but I don't have the money for the materials or whatever! Thank you for showing us that we can use duct tape!!!
Is it just me, or you cant buy an average mannequin or cant find one thats similar to your size, thats why your here? Cause im more in the plus size and want to make gowns for myself and other plus people?
Too expensive
Dress forms can be professionally custom made to your body proportions, but they cost an arm and a leg. Pun not intended.
@@LisaHathaway yeah, two years later i work part time seamstress assistant and still learning, i come a long way
Omg yesss! Been needing one for ages! How long did this take?
It took almost 2 hours! Not too long but very tiring haha
that is just genius. it is a copy of your body. so practical!
This is honeslty so smart. LOVE THIS.
There are people who won't participate in the trust fall, this girl participate in the sharp objects near your rectum 😱 Shes Savage!
That's a truely dedicated TH-camr 😉😆
Great idea. I'm trying this. I'm tiny like you but have scoliosis. I think this would help a lot.🙂
This is a well known tip in the fursuit and cosplay community. When you commission a custom costume from an artist they will ask you to send a ductape dummy of yourself so they dont have to have you in person for fitting.
I am so glad you finally did this.
I LOVE this!!!I used to have a shop. I made mannequins out of pillows for display, why didn't I think of this!!! Lol❤
I did this some years ago and almost fainted. So make sure you do this in a cooler area and drink a lot of water!
I tried using a dress form it didn't fit. When you have 3 different measurements or wider hips or double sized breast it doesn't help
Yassss girl this is just want I needed mannequins are crazy ridiculously priced thank you ☺️
omg thank you so much I dont sue but I've needed something like this for a while now but couldn't figure out how to do it!!! Excessive full body jewelry here I COME!!!!!!
I lawwv duct tape
i did this a few years ago and passed out in the process of being cut out by my frantic sisters.
that sounds terrifying
Is a very save and recycle way to help all the tailor. Good job girl!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS! I need a dress form. But do not have the money for one at the moment. This I can manage! Thanks again!
Registration marks would have made lining up the back together easier.
@negima50001 - That is an awesome website! Thank you.
I did this once, needed to alter my wedding dress. After I finished it, I cried. Man I looked like hell. Tossed it in the trash immediately.
Weigh a lot less now too.
I was wondering how to make a mannequin I am so excited I found your video I am definitely going to make a mannequin using my 11-year-old granddaughter my 12-year-old grandson myself which is a plus size woman and maybe a 5-year-old cuz mannequins are not cheap thank you I love it I do a lot of sewing and crocheting this will help me with my crocheting to make sure it fit that person's shoulders right you have a brilliant mind I love it ❤️❤️❤️
I love it. I have been watching you since your high school days