DIY: How to make your own Dressform!

Edit: Just updated with pictures of a revised dress form :) My mum is a genius!

With Halloween coming up and me making my own costume, a dress form can come in handy when doing needlework. But dressforms can be uber expensive, and finding one that fits your measurements is a tough feat. That's why I decided to make my own, with the help of my 'twin' Emi and my bf. Nyarigatou! <3

Here's what you need to make your own mannequin:

1 pair of scissors
1 roll of cling wrap
1 roll of Duct tape, 60 yards (or more depending on your body type)
10 full newspapers (I used huge Vancouver Sun newspapers)
4 pieces of cardboard (1 each for your neck, arms and bottom)
1 pole of any material (I used cardboard wrapping paper rolls)
1 box and filling (to use as a base)

Step 1: Wrap yourself with cling wrap

Don't I look silly :)

Wear a tight shirt that will conform with your body for the most accurate end result. You will be adhering the duct tape to your 'body' via the cling wrap. I went around the torso, shoulders, neck, and bum area with one layer of cling wrap.

Step 2: Stick on the duct tape!

Make an X on your chest (middle of your bosom) and start adhering arms-lengths of duct tape in a diagonal fashion across your chest. This makes it easier to get the rounder areas. Continue up the shoulders and around your back using the same method. I used mostly horizontal strips across my back. Don't use a long strip of tape from the back to your front because your body isn't shaped like a box and the model won't be shaped correctly. Use smaller strips for optimal results. I did this all the way down my body.

Step 3: Cut a vertical strip down your back

"Don't cut my bra! Don't cut my shirt! Watch my shorts!!" 

You may be wondering how you're going to get out of this duct tape prison. Easy! Have a friend cut a slit down the back, starting from the nape of your neck, all the way down to your bum. Careful not to cut or jab yourself in the meantime!

Step 4: Tape your dummy back up

I used hands-length horizontal strips to tape my dummy back together again.

Step 5: Put the pole in your dress form and start stuffing

This is what your dummy should look like after you've finished taping it back up. Slide the pole through the bottom up to the neck and make sure that when it stands, it is around your height. Then stuff tightly-balled newspapers around the pole, keeping it in the middle at all times. Alternatively you can use poly batting, but I recently got a free Vancouver Sun subscription so I used newspapers instead. This step took me around 1.5 hours.

Step 6: Cover the holes with cardboard

I cut round cardboard cut-outs the size of the bottom holes, arm holes and neck hole, with an additional holes in the bottom and neck to accommodate for the pole. Secure them with more duct tape.

Step 7: Put the pole in the base and fill with something heavy

Here's what your finished dress form should look like. Put the pole in the box, cut a whole on top for the pole, and fill with something heavy. I used rice, but you can use anything: rocks, sand, etc.

My mum found an old lamp (one of those long standing ones) that she didn't need and let me use it for my mannequin. I simply took the lampshade off, slid my dress form + pole over the existing lamp pole and screwed the lamp back in. Now I have a base too!

And VOILA! Finished! A mannequin to your exact size~ (Complete with environmentally friendly energy-saving fluorescent light bulb!)

Here's what it looks like with the light on :)

If you have any questions, let me know!
I'll be happy to answer them :)