Professional Dress Forms & Sewing Mannequins

The Professional Dress Form

The professional dress form has been used in the fashion world for centuries. From the first dress form made from wood or wax to the highly sophisticated ones we use today, one thing has always been abundantly clear — dress forms are an essential tool in every tailor’s shop. Even now, when we think about dress forms, silky clothes, apparel stores, body shapes and rich textiles come to mind. They are a useful instrument, as much as they are a symbol of high-fashion.

Moreover, the professional dress forms we offer at Mannequin Mall are perfect for any designer or dressmaker. You might wonder why? Because they are made from industry-grade materials, which make them extremely durable and sturdy. Furthermore, they are covered in high-quality materials, which makes it easy for you when you’re pinning or draping. You won’t have to worry about the longevity of the dress form.

However, if you’re still wondering what’s the difference between a mannequin and a dress form, here it is. Dress forms are constructed with a sturdy interior and a foam or fabric exterior, while mannequins are not. Plus, you can use a dress form during the tailoring and sewing process, while a mannequin is used only for displaying clothes.

Why Should You Buy a Professional Adjustable Dress Form?

Another very important question we have to address is choosing the right dress form. Even though each customer has different needs, most of the time, a professional adjustable dress form will be the perfect fit. The reason for that is in the name — you can adjust the dress form as you deem fitting, and that can be a game changer for any tailor or seamstress.

As with any item you have to purchase, the first thing you need to know its what exactly you need and in which size. The beauty about adjustable dress forms is that they allow measurement dials for better adjustments on the critical points. Hence, the best approach is to buy a dress form that you can customize according to your needs, and one that will make your job easier.

On another note, if you’re truly into customizing your dress form, or if you’re working on tightly fitted pieces, we suggest you take a look at collapsible shoulders as well. You can even take a look at our sewing mannequins or child mannequins if you’re looking for something a little bit more specific.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend more on an adjustable dress form, you can always purchase a standard model and use padding to make it fit.

How Can You Use a Designer Mannequin?

Another name for a professional dress form is a designer mannequin. It’s quite apparent that the name comes from the function of the product. Designers have been using dress forms in the creation process since the 19th century, and they are an essential piece in every shop.

In fact, some high-end fashion stores today display dress forms instead of mannequins for their association with the designers and their creative process. One of them is Coco Chanel.

However, no matter which type of dress form you choose to purchase, you should always look for high-quality items that will last longer. You should treat dress forms as an investment. Depending on the purpose, you should also consider buying durable and pinnable dress forms that can be easily adjusted. Mannequin Mall has a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed policy with No Questions Asked returns, just in case you get the measurements wrong.

If you’re working as a designer, we will suggest focussing on customized, professional dress forms with more functional add-ons. That way you won’t have to worry about fitting pieces, and you’ll have more space and freedom in the working process.

The Mannequin Mall Offer

Professional dress forms are usually used by designers and tailors to fit and pin clothing. Mannequin Mall has a wide selection of these mannequins for all of your professional designing and tailoring needs. In fact, our dress forms are made from heavy-duty foam and are covered in high-quality fabric. Therefore, you can pin and tack on clothing over and over again.

Our collection includes both male and female dress form mannequins. You can also choose between child and adult bodies. Moreover, with each model, you can select your desired dress size for the exact measurements according to the clothing that needs to fit. In case you need models of different sizes, you might like to take a look at our adjustable dress forms, which have dialed to adjust the size by expanding and retracting the dress form.

Professional dress forms come in both full and partial body models. For example, if you only need to fit the clothing at the shoulders, bust, waist and hips, then a torso version should meet your needs.

Many professional designers and tailors need to create clothing articles which fit perfectly all along the length of the lower body, such as sew skirts and dresses with a stunning silhouette around the lower half. Thus, many professionals prefer to use full-bodied dress forms.

Another possibility is the torso model which includes a removable bottom extension. The extension is a cage in the shape of a female lower body. Therefore, it provides the form that helps a tailor or designer to create skirts and dresses with the perfect lower silhouette.

Many seamstresses like this version because it allows them to remove the bottom extension when they are working on blouses or shirts. At the same time, they can replace the cage when they are making skirts or dresses.

Professional dress forms are usually attached on top of a rod with either wheels for mobility or a base for stability. In fact, some of them are adjustable in height so that each dressmaker can work comfortably at her level.

A professional dress form mannequin is a helpful tool in any designer studio, tailor shop, showroom or online store. You could take a peek at our collection to find the ideal dress form that meets all your requirements.