Comments on: PGM Dress Forms… Help!

By: Cassandra

Cassandra — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:27:57 +0000

I was shopping for a dress form for the same reason you are: the occasional drafting and to have a body double to help with pattern ajustments (right now I try and pin in new darts while looking in a mirror).

A duct tape dress form isn’t going to cut it - not when you are draping or want to finesse pinning in new pleats/darts.

I noticed that the PGM forms seem to differ in price based on the butt shape and also whether there is a belly bump or a “flat hip” aka flat tummy instead. I think the shapes with a defined buttocks and belly are more expensive and I would spend the extra to get a more realistic body shape.

ps I plan to buy based on non-weight related dimentions: shoulder measurement, cross back and underbust size (all size 8). I’ll be putting a bra on my girl and padding out the waist to go up to a size 10-12. I think the shape will be very similar to my own once padded.

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:01:14 +0000

I absolutely LOVE PGM dress forms! I’ve been using them since my days back at FIDM and they are absolutely the best way to go. They are the most cost effective dress form manufacturer out there and have pledged their support to the fashion schools to support fashion education. They will give you a student discount too!

By: MN

MN — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:15:15 +0000

PGM dress form moved to a new warehouse at 5041 Heintz St. Baldwin Park(close to highway 605, 210), the warehouse is much bigger than previous one, the showroom is also quite bigger, they just update their website http://www.pgmdressform.com, I like using pgm dress forms, price is reasonable, and the dress form’s pinnable materials is strong, hold the pin very stable, not like some other dress form using sponge, if pin more times, the sponge are damaged, and can not hold pin well…., also they have a lot pattern tools to select, and their service is good… they now still use 1-888-818-1991 after moving to new location, you know what, they’re now having promotion for 601 halfbody missy form & 605A lady fullbody form, on their new website http://www.pgmdressform, they provide coupon, using this coupon, can get 20% off….

By: wb

wb — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:12:37 +0000

My thoughts are these: For designing I certainly need the kind of dress form that is pinnable, so that you can drape your fabric on it. Then, to make my designed outfit fit me or anyone else, I then adjust the pattern accordingly –chest, bust, waist etc. I suppose, to have a pinnable with collasable shoulder dress form that is close to my size would be nice because I need to do a little adjustment with the whole fitting.
Mannequin is only for a show, but does not have a purpose in the beginning phase of designing.

By: jen

jen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:22:56 +0000

The forms with defined booties are often called “bridal” forms (for example, Wolf - a professional standard - calls them this). They use them for fitted looks like mermaid shapes. If you do not need to make fitted skirts often, it would not be worth the extra money.

By: anna

anna — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:04:47 +0000

I am a costume shop manager for a university theater department and use dress forms on a regular basis. I have used both forms with defined cheeks and those without and have never noticed a difference in my end result. I think it’s absolutely essential for any dressmaker to have a dress form that is their size. To make the form fit you, I would suggest wrapping the form in sheet batting and covering it with spandex. You can build the form up to exactly match your own measurements. I would say that the only determining factor between the two forms is price. Good luck!

By: Ashlea

Ashlea — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:44:33 +0000

I’m all about saving money! I would personally go for the cheaper one and make myself a truly personalized form! AND, since you’re pretty dang crafty, if you wanted to, you could cheat and make yourself one too. I found this one day on one of the blogs I follow. Check out the link…it might be worth it to you. :)

http://christynelson.net/blog/2009/05/learn-how-to-make-duct-tape-dress-form.html

By: paule

paule — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:25:33 +0000

you are pretty filiform. i dont know if the defined one will actually serve you. what if the butt, or bust is bigger then yours?? have you concidered that? you probably made sure they had the proper mensurments..

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:08:12 +0000

Can you find written reviews online from people who have used them? When I’m trying to decide whether the extra dollars are worth it or not, I find reading and comparing reviews helpful (like on Amazon but I don’t know if they have something like it for dress forms).

By: Sheboz

Sheboz — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:22:52 +0000

Annabelle would like the one with cheekies. Not that this is helpful but now you know.:)