What in the world has happened to this forum? Are less and less people sewing, or doesn't anybody have a dress form? Is there another forum that deals with sewing? Barb

I have a small, medium and large forms. Unfortunately, you're right, they are of no use to make slacks.

I use mine from time to time. I don't rely on the dials being accurate. I just enlarge and decrease and check the measurements until the form is right.

While I encourage people to sew, I don't encourage people to make their own clothes, unless you want something you can't find.

I can walk into TJMaxx any day of the week and find a blouse or pants for $20 or so made out of much better material than I can find in a fabric store. I've purchased pants I've worn a couple times a week for two or three years, or more. The last pair of pants I made out of Joann's fabric were so shabby after four wearings I was too embarrassed to wear them again. One of my sewing colleagues spent good money on material from Joann's only to have the pants seams shredding after two wearings. They weren't too tight, the seams had been serged, the material was just...junk.

I was at Macy's when I had an "AHA" moment. For sale was a rather plain knit rayon skirt. It was $95, + or -. I thought that was kind of a lot of money for a skirt.

I thought about where I might find material of that quality, what that vendor charges for her fabric, plus the shipping, and it was going to come to $80 or so, plus my time...

I do think it's still worthwhile though, just like any other skill, where you can save the money you'd have to pay someone else to do the work. I wish I had a nickel though, for everyone who told me they could do it themselves, but "didn't have the time."

Eva, I was quite crestfallen when I read your answer. I don't think I have found any fabric that I purchased where I felt so "taken". If it doesn't last ten years, at my age, it doesn't matter. I am on social security now and with my $455.00 a month long term care insurance and the fact that I am on my own, I'm afraid I don't have $95.00 to put on a skirt. I am not being catty, and my daughter loves T.J. Maxx-- I am just being practical. I don't go to any real festive places, besides church and eating out with friends. I thank you though for your reply. I guess its a matter of looking at the glass whether it is half full or half empty. Thanks again, Eva. Barb

I guess I am not certain what you're crestfallen about.

I don't go out a lot either. That's why the $20 trou at the discount store work for me. On a truly limited budget, (just lost my husband, on my own) I can't afford clothing that doesn't last. I wear pretty much a "uniform" of my own making to work, and the material sold at our local Joann's just didn't make the cut. There isn't any material there that wears as well or better than clothing I can buy.

I didn't buy that 95 dollar skirt, either. It just made me realize that good quality clothing costs more - whether you make it or buy it. Some of our grandparents said
during the depression, "Poor can't afford to buy cheap."
Another poster to this forum reports her Joann's carries lots of natural fiber, good quality fabric. Ours doesn't. If yours does, good for you, and them.

Dritz makes a dressform that allows one to fit pants. It's "My Double" Deluxe Dressform (blue in color). Nancy's Notions has it in their catalog, #MDDS (small) and MDDM (Medium). $199, which is $50 less than regular price. The pole is off-set from center. It also has shaped bottom and thighs. I have the other type (non-pants fitting), and use it alot. You can also make one out of duct tape (with the help of a friend), but I haven't tried that method b/c it doesn't allow for "growth" (weight gain or loss). You can Google "duct tape dressform" for instructions on that.

Barb--Do you live in the US or Canada. In Canada we have a store chain called Jay Set. I buy most of my slacks and tops and a few other things there. Most are overstocks or seconds, but other than mislabeling sizes, I have never found a problem with anything. I look it over and try it on and then buy. The clothes are all by famous makers like Nygard, Tan Jay and Alia. Most things when they come in are $15.95 and the longer they stay in the store the lower the prices go. I've bought Alia blouses for as little as $3

Thanks for the hints. Eva, I too have lost my husband a year ago last week. The difference here is that I am already retired and severe loss of income, plus I live out in the country and am responsible for all of the upkeep--plus a nursing home policy which is out-of-sight, but have to keep it or take a chance on losing home;however, I have my health and a lot of faith in the man above. When one door closes, another opens, we are told. Hang in there. The manager of our local Jo Anns is a friend of mine and will order stuff from other stores, if they don't have what I want. Oilpainter, not in Canada--live in the Midwest, USA. I love Tan Jay stuff.You are lucky you have that outlet. Keepeminstitches (that's a long one), you say you use yours a lot--tell me about what all you do with it. Thanks also. Barb

Hi - as far as saving $$ is concerned, second-hand & thrift stores can be a goldmine for home sewers - I find fabric, notions & patterns for pennies on the dollar.

& when I was in school, we had industrial dressforms for slacks/pants & swimwear/lingerie - so they DO exist, but new 1s cost @ least several hundred $$.

{{!gwi}}

1 trend that has really taken off in recent years is "upcycling" old garments into new - using 2nd hand/thrift store purchases. Some retailers even carry these types of clothing lines. You can deconstruct something made from high quality material & make it into something completely new. This works especially well w/ knits.

I am lucky enough to have a big thrift store nearby that sells lots of designer clothing 'gently used' for just a few bucks. I can dress fashionably & pay only a fraction of the full price! & a local church thrift store always seems to have plenty of beautiful vintage silks,linens, etc.(not to mention plenty of clothing) for a song.

Try typing 'upcycled clothing' into a search engine & see what you get.....