on the hunt

I'm finally breaking down and letting the purse strings loose and getting a dress-form. I have been putting off getting one cause they are pretty expensive for someone with a very limited budget. But now it's time to invest in one before I start my 18th century project. It's not like it's a one time use thing, it will come in handy more then once.
The professional  dress forms from design school have spoiled me. It was my first time working with those ladies and I loved using them. They really did make seeing problem areas of your garment, draping, prefect fit, and pattern drafting easier. I  After school I just worked with my own body and the bathroom mirror, sometime asking my sisters if the back looked okay. It wasn't bad but I know it would be easy with a different view. I looked into getting one a few years ago but price and the fact that I was so in love with the ones from school standing in my way. Now that I'm starting my costuming life I think it would come in handy if I went on and got myself a friend. I would love to get a professional dress form but there is no way I can afford it. So I am no longer a dress form snob ( I can't afford to be)
So the hunt begins... looking for an affordable dress form. There are so many choices out there what's a girl to do.

I know that most at home seamstresses own adjustable  dress  form with the dials.
                                                       

Dritz "My Double Deluxe" Medium Dress Form

Dritz "Twin-Fit" Large Dress Form

This will work out fine, even it the bust is  not quit right or the waist, hips, butt....

to be honest I don't look like any dress form out there but they are small problems that can be fixed with a little extra padding. With one of the form above I can use it for my everyday sewing and for my costuming projects.

But then I found this beauty

Boutique Plus Size 18-20 Dress Form with Base

This dress form is actually an display dress form. she would be great for displaying my garments for pictures. I'm not sure if she would be great for sewing, drafting, or using her for actual work. This is also a cheap then the adjustable dress forms with shipping included, that a win for her. She would be great for displaying after I have finished to post on here and in my portfolio.

I wish I could get two, one of each a workable sewing dress form and a nice display dress form. Maybe with my birthday coming up in February I'll get some money to add to my sewing supply fund to get one now and start saving for another later on.