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Building Your Own Dress Stand for Your 50% Dress Form

Here are the supplies and instructions you'll need to build your own dress stand for mounting your 50% dress form.

Supply List for 50% Dress Form

Calculating the total length of PVC pipe you'll need

1.  You need the pieces for the arms, top, and bottom of the stand.  Those pieces are: 3 5" pieces, 2 10" pieces, and 2 2.75" pieces.  These total 40.5".

2.  You'll also need a piece for the height of the stand; that height depends on   how tall you are.

Here's how to calculate what you need for your height:

Someone that is 5 feet tall needs a length of pipe 23 inches long.  If you're 5 feet tall, then you just need 23".  For every 1 inch over 5 feet that you are, you need 1/2" of pipe. (Likewise, subtract 1/2" for every inch under 5 feet that you are.)  So someone that is 5 feet, 6 inches tall needs:  23" + (6" / 2) = 23" + 3" = 26".  Someone that is 4 feet, 10 inches needs:  23" - (2" / 2) = 23" - 1" = 22".

Instructions for the Dress Stand

1.  Cut the PVC pipe into the following pieces:

three   5" pieces
two   10" pieces
two   2.75" pieces
and the length you need for your height (calculated above).

2.  Put the base pieces together as shown in the picture below.  Use 2 10" pieces, 2 90 degree elbows, 2 end caps, 2 5" pieces, and the "T" connector.  Position the pieces so the markings on the pipe do not show.  (Note:  If you'd like to glue the stand together, first fit it together without the glue.  Then go back and glue parts together.)

(Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

3.  Put the vertical part of the stand together (what the dress form will 'hang' on) as shown in the picture below. Use the cross piece, 2 2.75" pieces, 1 5" piece, 1 end-cap, and the piece you cut for your height.

(Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

4.  Insert the vertical part of the stand into the base.  To cover the writing on the pipe, wrap with ribbon or paint. (This is optional.)

(Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

Instructions for Creating your 50% Dress Form:

To make your dress form,  draft the basic top and straight skirt as for a sloper.  Print out the patterns at 50%.  Use 1/2" seam allowances; this will give you 1/4" seams on your form.

You may add short sleeves to fill the armhole opening or just stitch in a circle of fabric.

To make a neck, measure the sewing line at the neck opening and cut a rectangle of fabric the required length and desired height.  Remember to leave a seam allowance to sew it to the neck. 

Put the cloth form over the shoulder cross piece of the stand and fill with stuffing from the bottom up.  Use tiny hand running stitch to pull closed the neck and sleeve openings.  To give the bust more form, styrofoam eggs work well.  

To control the size and shape more,  run a line of hand basting around the bust, hips and waist and pull to desired size.

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