I did it, I made a duct tape dress form. Thanks to a lot of help from my friend Jen, who now knows more of my wobbly bits than she ever wanted, I managed to finally get this done. 
The whole thing cost 6 rolls of tape (two were used after the wrapping, and I still have one leftover), and two bags of packing peanuts. In sum a total of a few hours and $22. I put a hanger in the shoulders so I could hang the dress form up.
It was an interesting feeling as the tape built up, and me bending was out of the question. 
After Onda was cut off me, I spent the next day stuffing her and shaping her a bit. I had to pinch the waist, because we had to wrap tons around the middle. I also padded the hips some. Shes really, really close to my measurements at 48, 39, 51. The upper bust is a bit larger on her than me (42" Im 41"). I may layer her with a few shirts to give her some padding so shes squishy. The name Onda comes from a life size doll I had as a kid. She was like a life size Barbie, about 4' 8" tall, chocolate brown, and wearing a jean shorts set! My older cousin was so impressed by the name Onda. I forget why I called her that, but I feel its time to bring it back.
Its strange seeing my body size not in the mirror. Ive dressed her in a few of my shirts, and she looks cuter than me. But she is me, right? Creepy...
I'm going to have to say it: That's because you ARE cute, silly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea for the packing peanuts. I made one of these a few years back and the biggest issue I had was packing it with quilt batting, which was expensive and also weighed a ton. This is much more clever and I'm sort of inspired to maybe make a new one (the old one got dumped in the trash a while ago... talk about creepy! Dumping your own torso in a dumpster is really weird.)
I made one last week too. But have not named or stuffed her yet. Maybe that is what I should do with the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about doing this for awhile. Maybe I'll go ahead and take the plunge now -- I'm so jealous! Thank you so much for your blog. You are so inspiring to me.
ReplyDeleteMy first attempt of making one of these came out like poo... so I cut her up and made her into a waist shaper pattern. I'm going to try again with paper tape, I hear those stand up a little better. Maybe my problem was trying to stuff her with batting instead of packing peanuts, that's actually a really smart idea. I'll try that on doppelganger 2.
ReplyDeleteWow. The dressform came out fabulous!
ReplyDeleteNow I`m inspired. See, I have Ursula...
She was given to me as a scholarship ( her being a fabulous vintage lady ) since we´re very close in measurements. But not quite.
I´m short- waisted and often visualised altering Ursula to be a precise copy of my measurements. Who´s stopping me creating a duct tape version and then stuffing her on top of Ursula ( who also needs some help with her top. * cough * )
Time after time your blog provides me with greatest ideas! Thank you!
How cool is that?! Awesome job! Maybe someday I'll get comfortable with sewing enough to need a dress form and give this one a try too.
ReplyDelete:-)
So cool! Thanks for sharing, it looks like it was kinda fun to do, too!
ReplyDeletewow- i think this is the 2nd or 3rd blog i've read with people making their own body forms... and i msut admit.. you're teh one who has given me the last push to actually do it! i'm excited- great post and great job! :)
ReplyDelete-Zinnia