Be Crafty.

Product Tutorial
How to Pad and Cover a Dressform
High
Shoulder

FINE TUNING YOUR DRESSFORM

Your new dressform has been designed to accommodate as
many varied adjustment needs as possible. However there will
be occasions when the form has been adjusted, but it still
requires reshaping. We all have differently shaped bodies. For
example, a 36 bust measurement is different on everyone
some have a full cup size while others have a broad back that
contributes to the total measurement. Here is how to adjust
your form to mirror your own body shape.

Low
Shoulder

Low or
large
bust

Wide back

High Hip
Low Hip

1.

ADD PADDING TO PERSONALIZE YOUR

DRESSFORM
First, analyze your body. Have a friend help take varied measurements such as those in the drawings to the right. Do you have a
high hip or shoulder? Do you carry weight over your tummy? An
honest appraisal will net you the best fitting clothes!

Front
neck
to waist

Distance from
center back
to dart

0 104/41
2/4
10

0 104/41
2/4
10
0 104/41
2/4
10

BB

in s

100/3
9

100/3
9

Over
bust

Under
bust

Apex
to apex

Shoulder
to
apex

Upper
Back

i ns

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

0 104/41
2/4
10

100/3
9

Front
neck to
waist

BB

100/3
9

BB

100/3
9

Tummy

cm/

115/45
/44
12

cm/

115/45
/44
12

in s

115/45
/44
12

Chest

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

115/45
/44
12

cm/

DRESSFORM FRONT
Shoulder

ins

Under
bust

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

Date

cm/

in s

BB

0 104/41
2/4
10

BB

100/3
9

cm/

Apex to apex

Distance from
center front
to dart

Take a selfie to refer to when padding

the form. Dont forget the back! Ask a
friend to help.

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

0 104/41
2/4
10

2 110/43
7/4
1
10

Across back

115/45
/44
12

TIP

Across upper back

115/45
/44
12

under
the arms

Shoulder
to apex

BB

You may not need all of the measurements to start,

but the more you have, the more correct your
r
ulde
Sho
form will be. Later on you can use those same
Chest
measurements to add design lines to your
form.
Over bust

cm/

ins

DRESSFORM BACK
Across
Back

Tummy

Front
to
dart

Back
to
dart

Prym Consumer USA

Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Pad and Cover a Dressform (continued)
SHOULDER
PADDING

Pin and stitch

padding
to form.

If straps are loose, check

measurement from shoulder to
apex. Add a shoulder pad to
increase height. This also
adjusts a low shoulder.

BUST
PADDING
Tuck
padding
into bra
to smooth
and fill.

SHOULDERS: Most people have one shoulder that is

higher than the other (it is usually opposite the higher
hip). Layer strips of polyester batting across the shoulder, or add shoulder pads. For wide shoulders add a
shoulder pad to extend the width.

in s

For a wide back, increase size

on center back dial. If needed,
add padding to increase size.

BACK
PADDING
2 110/43
7/4
1
10
0 104/41
2/4
10

BB

ins

110/43
/42
1
07

100/3
9

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

cm/

BB

115/45
/44
12

100/3
9

BACK: Adjusting the back is often part of correcting the

bust measurement. Examine your body and pad as
necessary.

cm/

115/45
/44
12

BUST: Start by placing your own bra on the form

(one that is comfortable and fits you well). The band
corresponds to the under bust measurement. If the
dressform matches your measurement but the bra is
not filled, set the bust to a smaller size and add
padding to the front to reshape. Measure with a tape
until size is correct. Experiment until bra appears as
it would if you were wearing it. If you have a broad
back, you may need to decrease the size in the front,
and increase the back; layer padding across the back
as needed. Always measure as you pad until the
correct measurement is achieved.

Pin bra
securely
before
padding

BB

0 104/41
2/4
10

2 110/43
7/4
10

4 115/45
2/4
11

CREATE SMOOTHLY PADDED SURFACES

Determine where padding is needed. Use foam, fiberfill,
batting, or shoulder pads to fill the area. Foam is best
for adding firm shape. Once you like the position and
proportion, shave the edges to create a smooth surface
with no bumps. Use fiberfill to add smaller amounts of
padding. Cover with batting to hold in place. Insert
straight pins at an angle to keep padding in place as you
measure and add or subtract layers to finesse the size
and shape. When satisfied with the padding you can
cover it with a sheer layer of tricot, t-shirt fabric or woven
fabric cut on the bias. To attach fabric, use a large
straight or curved needle, taking criss-cross stitches over
the edges to keep the fabric flat.

100/3
9

2.

c m/

ins

Pad the area

where you carry
extra weight.

TIP
Be sure to put all pins in at an angle.
They cannot be stabbed straight into the
dressform.

Prym Consumer USA

Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Pad and Cover a Dressform (continued)
WAISTLINE PADDING
110/43
/42
1
07

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

BB

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/
4

ins

BB

0 104/41 107/42

BB

ins

c m/

ins

100/39

in s B

c m/

115/45
/44
12

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43

110/43
/42
1
07

BB

100/

115/45

104/41 107/42
02/40

BB

BB

110/43
/42
1
07

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

11

110/
4

in s B

0 104/41 107/42

ins

100/3
9

39 102/4

100/3
9

/44

12

c m / in

c m/

115/45
/44
12

c m/

115/45

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

104/41 107/42
02/40

110/43

110/43
/42
1
07

2/4

BB

100/

115/45

c m/

115/45
/44
12

100/3
9

100/39

BUTTOCKS: The torso on most forms does not

extend to the buttocks. Add foam strips and shoulder
pads to reshape the back and hips. The My Double
Deluxe has extended sides to aid in fitting pants and
skirts. But you may still wish to reshape to match your
own body. Dont forget to measure as you adjust!

c m/

110/43
/42
1
07

100/3
9

39 102/4

BB

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

11

110/43

7/42
04/41 10
/40 1

/in s B

115/45

BB

11

110/43

7/42
04/41 10
/40 1

100/39 1
02

11

100/3
9

/44

12

ins

cm

115/45
/44
12

TUMMY: The tummy can be padded with layers of

polyester fiberfill or foam. You may require both hip
and tummy padding. Place some specific ovals or
squares of batting where needed and then wrap with
a thinner continuous layer of batting.

c m / in

c m/

110/43
/42
1
07

115/45
/44
12

2/4

ins

110/43
/42
1
07

4 115/45

2/4

HIP PADDING

c m/

100/3
9

100/39 1
02

/in s B

100/3
9

cm

115/45
/44
12

HIPS: Examine your body to see if one hip is higher

than the other. This is very common. A foam shoulder
pad is perfect for quick hip adjustment.

115/45
/44
12

WAIST: Analyze your body to see whether you need

extra padding at the front, back or sides. Use thin
strips of foam and batting to reshape as needed and
build up thickness until the correct measurement is
achieved.

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

4 115/45

2/4

c m/

ins

TUMMY PADDING
BUTTOCKS PADDING

BB

c m/

ins

100/3
9

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

BB

115/45
/44
12

100/3
9

Place a pair of your panties over

the buttocks to hold padding in place. Cut a
hole in the crotch to fit over the pole.

115/45
/44
12

TIP

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

c m/

ins

Be creative! Multiple shoulder

pads may give you the shape
you need! Blend with hip padding
for most realistic covering. Then
cover and blend with more fiberfill.

Prym Consumer USA

Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Pad and Cover a Dressform (continued)

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

11

BB

7/42
04/41 10
/40 1

/in s B

100/39 1

02

cm

c m/

in

HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

115/45

c m/

in

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43

110/43
/42
1
07

i ns B

c m/

c m/

in

100/3
9
BB

115/45
/44
12

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

cm/

in

100/3
9

BB

115/45
/44
12

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

cm/

in

100/3
9

115/45
/44
12

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

BB

104/41 107/42
02/40

BB

BB

11

100/

/44

12

c m / in

BB

0 104/41
39 102/4

107/42
110/4

110/43
/42
1
07

115/45
/44
12

100/3
9

100/39

To make your own cover, use an tight t-shirt as a pattern.

Make sure the stretch of your purchased cover fabric is equal
to the stretch in your t-shirt. Otherwise the cover may not fit.
Cut it long enough to cover the entire length of the adjusted
dressform, adding 3 at the bottom to hem. Add 1-1/2 at the
armhole openings and neckline. Stitch a double 1 hem at the
bottom and a double 1/2 hem at armholes and neck, leaving
an opening to insert cord. Use a bodkin to thread cable cord
(5/32 or smaller) through the hem pockets. Cut cord long
enough to tie a knotted bow at each opening. Pull the cord
tightly and tuck the knotted ends inside the cover.

4 115/45

2/4

115/45
/44
12

Now that you have added fiberfill and shoulder pads all over your dressform, it might
Knit stretches,
but clip inside
look pretty messy. Cover it with one smooth
hem if needed
surface. Use a tight t-shirt to smooth all the
to prevent puckering
surfaces. (Cut the sleeves off and tuck
on curves.
under excess fabric at the shoulders.) Or
make your own cover with stretchy tricot or t-shirt
fabric.

100/3
9

4.

110/43
/42
1
07

4 115/45

2/4

115/45
/44
12

Once you are satisfied with the measurements and shape,

use tape to cover the split between sections of the
dressform. Wide masking tape or two-sided tape
works. Bias fabric strips or wide ribbon can cover
two-sided tape. If you plan to make a cover for
your form, the tape will not be visible.

Cover openings
with tape or
ribbon.

110/43

COVER OPENINGS BETWEEN SECTIONS

100/3
9

3.

cm/

in

Prym Consumer USA

Be Crafty.
Product Tutorial
How to Pad and Cover a Dressform (continued)
Optional princess line

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

BB

ins

Princess
line

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

BB

c m/

ins

0 104/41
2/4
1
10

110/43
/42
1
07

BB

115/45
/44
12

100/3
9

Following your chart:

Mark a center front and center back line.
Mark the horizontal line around your bust, waist and hip.
Mark side seam lines between form sections.
Measure about half way between the center lines and the
side lines at the waist; place a pin. This is the dart line, going
upward into the bodice, or downward for pants or skirts.
Mark the point apex to apex on the bust line.
For a princess line, mark a line from the waist dart, across
the apex to the shoulder. This line can vary; end it at the
center of the shoulder, or curve it into the armhole. Make sure
all lines are visually graceful and smooth.

c m/

115/45
/44
12

To mark your dressform: Use two-sided tape on the back of

narrow ribbon or add stitch lines or marker lines. First mark
all the positions with straight pins (see the X-marks at the
right). To get a nice even line, wrap thread around the top or
the outermost pin, and stretch it smoothly from point to point,
wrapping the thread around the pin at the opposite end. Stitch
or attach ribbon to this marked thread line.

110/43
/42
1
07

115/45
/44
12

You now have a dressform that looks just like you! At

least for fitting purposes, that is. To make all this work
worthwhile you need to use it. And, you want it to be
easy. Remember all those measurements you recorded
at the beginning? For easy designing and to align things
like pockets, center front plackets and seam lines, add
markings to your form for quick reference.

100/3
9

DESIGN MARKINGS

100/3
9

5.

c m/

ins

See our other dressform tutorials: How to Choose a Dressform

and How to Use a Dressform for more valuable information!

Prym Consumer USA