What Are Sewing Mannequins For?

In fashion magazines and TV programs often show fashion designers using sewing mannequins, or dress forms. These dress forms are essential to creating a beautiful, well-fitting item of clothing.

Size

Dress forms come in different shapes and sizes, and are made for men, women and children.

Fit

Dress forms are used to make sure an item of clothing will fit properly. If the person for whom the dress is being made is a size 8, you can try the dress on a size 8 dress form and see how well it fits.

Alterations

If the outfit has been tried on the dress form and it doesn't quite fit, the fashion designer or tailor will pin in place any alterations required for the outfit.

Construction

Fashion designers use dress forms to construct an item of clothing. They pin pieces of fabric to the form and cut the fabric according to the shape of the form.

Draping

Draping fabric over and around a dress form can give the designer a feel for how the fabric will look when it is worn.