Whether you're seriously into creating your own flattering dresses or are considering taking up the art of tailoring as a hobby, you should consider buying a dressmaker mannequin.
Using a dummy for dressmaking is a great visual aid. You can use it to pin fabrics to unfinished pieces to see how they look before committing to sewing them in place. You can see how they will fit on human form, allowing you to tailor it to fit your exact shape and size.
Best dressmaker mannequins shortlist:
• Best for size ranges: Sewing Online Adjustable Dressmaker Dummy
• Best plus-size dressmaker mannequin: Adjustoform Sew Simple
• Decorative dressmakers dummy: BTFY Dressmaker Mannequin
• Budget buy: Female Tailors Dummy
Of course, when you're not working on creating masterpieces, such as your very own cocktail dress, your dressmaker dummy can be used as a decorative piece. Whether you proudly display your creations on it or use it to put together outfits from your wardrobe.
You can buy a dressmaker mannequin from plenty of well-known retailers, including Amazon, John Lewis, Etsy and even eBay to name but a few. However, to save you the trouble of finding one yourself, we've scoured the internet and picked out our favourite picks below, so you don't have to.
Best dressmaker's mannequin for size range
Available in small, medium, large and petite sizes, this dressmaker's mannequin will cater to many different body shapes. It's made from a strong, light plastic material that is covered in nylon foam-backed fabric and sits on a four-legged stand. It also features a pin-grip hem marker with a basting attachment for all your dress-making needs.
Customer review: "Great product, aI had a little help from my husband getting this set up properly as I initially found turning the dials to get the measurements accurate a bit fiddly, however I do have painful joints in my right hand so others may have no problems at all. Once it was up I have found it invaluable. I find it to be sturdy and copes well with and tugging when make adjustments. I have fitted mine with a bra and padded it so it is absolutely the right shape and height, this has transformed my dressmaking. A really good product for the price. I would recommend this."
Pros
- Available in a range of sizes
- Includes a two-year manufacturer's guarantee
Cons
- Some customers have commented that the dials can be difficult to turn
Best plus size dressmaker's mannequin
Finished in a gorgeous deep red colour, this dressmaker's mannequin is perfect for fitting clothes to a curvier body. It can be adjusted to fit a more plus size shape up to a UK size 22. There's also a version available that caters to dress sizes 10 to 18. It features 12 adjustable thumb wheels that allow you to change the bust, waist and hips to your measurements, so you can create your body double with ease.
Customer review: "Decided to take the plunge and invest in a dress form... very pleased I did. It arrived very well packaged and was up and ready to go in less than 5 minutes. The dress form is covered in a bright red fabric with a nice sheen which you pin sideways through (don't be like me and try to pin straight into the body!). The adjusters are smooth and easy to use but make sure you open nearby adjusters if you're expanding an area a lot as they can get tight otherwise. Overall great quality, very happy. I'm going to call her Scarlet :)"
Pros
- The size can be adjusted
- Backed with foam to allow needles to be pinned through it
Cons
- Some customers have stated that the dials are fiddly
Best decorative dressmakers dummy
Not only practical but attractive to look at, the bodice has a black damask print, so it'll make a great decorative piece when you're not using it for dressmaking. If you fancy a change from the highly decorated body, it also comes with a second plain white cover. With help from the tripod base, your mannequin will stay sturdy and grounded while you fit your garments to it.
Customer review: "Easy to put together and move about. Good value for money also."
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
Cons
- Fixed size
- Some customers have commented that it can be a bit wobbly
Best budget dressmaker mannequin
If you're new to dressmaking, this mannequin is perfect for starting out. It's also great for those on a budget. Designed to mimic a size 8 to 10 body, it is made out of highly durable and strong polystyrene, so you can easily display your newest creations with pride.
Customer review: "Bought this for my daughter who wanted to make clothes (hasn't really happened yet). She made an outfit for World Book Day that stays on the mannequin. It was very easy to put together and is very lightweight and easy to move around. I'm hoping one day she actually tries to make something else with it."
Pros
- Great value for money
Cons
- Limited size range
- Some customers have commented on the dummy being flat chested
Second best for size options
www.johnlewis.com
In an exclusive colourway for John Lewis, choose between petite, small, medium and plus size for your mannequin. It has eight sections with 12 adjusting wheels, plus an adjustable neck and waist length so you can adapt to your own measurements.
Customer review: "Already owning one of this company's dressforms, I opted to purchase this model for my daughter-in-law. It's made specifically for John Lewis. Really loved the paler wood and slightly darker body fabric. The mechanism's the same, but it's appearance is refreshingly different. Great for use in a spare room as clothes stand too!"
Pros
- Covered body for easy pinning/marking
- Suitable for skirts, jackets and dresses
Cons
- One reviewer thought it was a little narrow on the shoulders
Best traditional-looking dressmakers mannequin
www.dunelm.com
Let your creativity shine with this dress form available from Dunelm. You can pin fabrics and patterns to the torso as it's made with a foam backing. It comes complete with a solid wooden stand that is finished with a walnut lacquer to give it an antiquey-look.
Pros
- Choice of small, medium, large and petite sizing
- Stand helps to keep the torso sturdy
Cons
- No reviews
Best male mannequin
www.johnlewis.com
Dressmaker mannequins don't have to just be for dresses. If you've got a man in your life that you would like to create some clothes on, this one is based on a male torso so you can use it to make trousers as well as shirts and jackets.
Pros
- Eight sections with 12 thumb wheel adjusters
- Adjustable neck and waist
Cons
- No customers have reviewed it yet
FAQs
What are dressmaker mannequins made from?
A dressmaker mannequin is made with layers of foam and cloth. This is so you can stick pins through them to easily hold your fabric and garments in place, so you can easily create your own summer dress or a tailored jacket.
How do you know what size mannequin to buy?
If you're unsure which size mannequin to buy, you will need to measure yourself. Take note of your bust, waist and hip measurements to compare against the available mannequin sizes.
If your measurements fall between two sizes, it is recommended that you go for the smaller-size mannequin. This is because you can always add padding to a smaller model to help you achieve your desired look, whereas it will be near impossible to make a larger dummy for dressmaking to appear smaller.
To aid with replicating your body shape, it is best to fit a mannequin with an old bra. You can then pad the bra until it looks similar to your bust shape. If you need to add some curves to other parts of the mannequin, you can use a sponge or similar materials to add padding to those areas, so it looks similar to your own body shape.