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Dressform

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karmalady Sat 06-Dec-25 14:50:46

I bought a lady valet about 13 years ago and set about padding her to my exact measurements. Used a well-fitting bra and varied types of wadding and felt, all sewn down with a curved needle. I made a loose cover for her because it was weird seeing this body double

My shape is changing with old age, so I carefully changed the padding to my measurements, a difficult job as I was now widowed. I made a grey fabric cover for her, stretchy with a drawstring underneath

I moved and took all the padding came off, kept it all in that grey cover, which was fine as a bag

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karmalady Sat 06-Dec-25 14:57:33
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I have kept her in my sewing room for 6 years, naked, no padding. Absolutely fine for hanging tops and dresses, Now I am making skirts with fitted waists from unfamiliar patterns, her waist is smaller than mine and every skirt just drops down

The padding came out today and all I did was the waist. Bust and hips are good enough. Lots of pins and no sewing down. Then I slipped the grey stretch cover on her and the transformation was remarkable. I shall be able to test my new skirt this evening

My lady valet is a medium and yes I do definitely recommend a dressform. I thought you might like to see her. Would I buy one again? oh yes

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karmalady Sat 06-Dec-25 15:00:55

I made the effort today because my latest make is the shepherd skirt with lots of pleats and it needs to hang a bit before I take the hem up. That little wooden device that is bottom right is to measure hems from the floor

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Ilovecheese Sat 06-Dec-25 15:46:31

I also have a dressform padded to my measurements and do find it useful.

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