Dress Form Tutorial: Want to make an exact replica of your body for custom work?

Yesterday we set out determined to make our own dress forms for the Etsy Labs and thought we'd share the love with you guys if you want to make one of your own or just laugh at our own trails with the duct tape!

Materials:

• A large T-shirt that fits below the bum that will be cut up and destroyed in the process
• Another small piece of discard able cloth (a paper towel will do)
• At least two 45 gram rolls of duct tape
• A pair of sharp scissors
• Cardboard, and cardboard tubing
• Something to stuff the form with (peanuts, foam, polyfil, old clothes, be creative)
• A helper

Here's what ya gotta do:

Step 1
Put on large T-shirt and have your helper begin to wrap the roll of duct tape around your body. Make sure the tape is somewhat smooth and that there are no gaps in between wraps. Stop wrapping once the bust is reached.

Step 2
Cut several strips of tape from the roll and apply them it a vertical pattern along the curves of the bust for most natural looking shape fit. Be sure to pat the tape down after the helper applies it to ensure shape.

Step 3
Once taping of bust is complete, begin to extend tape from front to back (making sure model’s hair is clipped up as not to tape hair...eek). Apply the second piece of fabric around the neck and back (sort of looks like a scarf or ascot) and begin wrapping tape around shoulders and bottom of arms until you have completed the basic shape of the dress form you are looking for.

Step 4
Repeat by continuing to add two more layers of duct tape over original layer to complete a total of three layers. Fee free to either follow same wrapping method or try a vertical layering method, whichever you prefer.

Step 5
With a sharpie, draw a vertical and horizontal line to mark the center of the dress form.

Step 6
With the scissors, begin to cut tape and T-shirt at the base of the form where your line was drawn. Make sure you have your hand in place between the T-shirt and the regular shirt you are wearing as not to cut your own shirt in the process. If you are having a hard time cutting all the way up the form from the bottom, you can cut from the top as well.

Step 7
Remove form from body and have your helper hold the form while you add a layer of tape to the cut line. Now you have the desired shape!

Step 8
Cut a piece of cardboard that fits the bottom of your form and the sleeve holes, tape them in place and stuff the form until you have your desired shape and mass. Close off the top with tape. Either affix finished form to pole made from cardboard tubing or hang from hanger.