I love having a dress form.
Some people like only the expensive , perfect forms that come in separate sizes, I believe the brand name is Wolf. But I haven't had a perfect body, ever, so I never bothered with them. Jo-ann's had a coupon when I purchased mine, I think it was 50% off the entire online purchase, so I bought three, which cover a large range of sizes. The only thing I don't like: This brand (I believe it's My Twin)has a knurled knob, and only about a quarter inch extends past the dress form, so adjusting the form is tedious process. Look for the brand that has the full knob on the front, that turns like an oven or burner control on your stove, it's just easier to adjust. If you want to, sign up for Jo-ann's mailing list, and hwhen you start getting the flyers, you can use the coupon to defray some of the cost.

If you want to make a dress form for just you, try this website. Be sure to get the brand of duct tape that doesn't sag later. Just email the gal on this site and she can tell you which one she used and if it sagged later. The cheapy cheapy stuff will sag and lose shape. You do't want that. :-)

If you'll need to adjust sizing a lot to fit different people, then you'll need one of the ones from joanns. Still, they come in sizes and only adjust so far. And none of them look to me like they'd be any use whatsoever for "ladies of a certain size". Or age for that matter. None of the boobs on the dress forms sag, for example. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Duct Tape Double.

I do have to pad the bust of these forms, as they seem to come equipped with AAA bra sizes.I keep bras and stuffing on hand to make them assume a more human form. Since I use them for costuming more often than anything else, I do need a variety of sizes.

Costumecarol and ell in OR thank you both, I actually need the one with verity sizes.
ell on OR you always have some useful websites that is really amazing thanks again

They're great for doing dress/skirt hems.

& you have to have 1 for draping.

But they're not absolutely necessary.

I would love to have one, but I haven't found one that will adjust for length....since I am so tall I would need to add at least an inch and a half from shoulder to waist...anyone know of a brand that adjusts for height? I know I could do the body double one from the duct tape but I get panicky when I try to figure out how to get the darn thing to be on a stand. One of the sites has directions but it makes my head ache to think about the process.....sigh......

Has anyone actually made one of the duct tape ones? I'm thinking I'll make one. Any pointers?

Get the duct tape that doesn't sag.

You'll need a friend to help you.

Err on the side of snugness. We (my sewing guild) did paper tape doubles, but did not get the paper tape snug enough, and ended up with unusable forms. Lots of time and work wasted. And paper tape (that you have to wet) is messy and it takes a LONG time to dry - while its on you and you can't move.

Use a t-shirt with a high collar or put something around your neck so that you can make your double go up your neck a little bit. That way, you can use your double to fit collars. Regular dress forms have necks too. Check them out for guidance.

Wrap a few inches past the widest part of your hips. That way you can get skirts to fit right.

When your helper cuts the form off of you, have them cut it zig-zaggy. This will make it much easier to tape back together again.

Threads Magazine ran a couple articles about doing arms for sleeves and attaching them. They also did an article on making legs so that you can use your dress stand for pants too. May as well make a day of it!! LOL.

As far as stands go, this would be a great time to get a patio umbrella stand for your base. You could even use the pole from an old junked umbrella for inside your form. It's long enough that you should be able to get your form at the same height as you.

The expanding foam insulation works well for filling the form to make it stiff. Just be careful not to fill it too full, or you could split the form. As I remember, a friend said it took three cans to fill hers. She is about 5'9" and is very slender. Your mileage may vary.

Be prepared to leave the form in the garage or shed for a few days. My friend said that hers smelled very funny until it totally dried and cured. Not surprising really, duct tape and foam insulation are a bit chemically smelling until they are dry. It may take a week. I suppose it depends on your temperature and humidity.

BTW, Duct tape comes in lots of colors now - you could make yourself a camouflage dress form! I saw a picture once of someone's form that they had stuck stickers all over. It was cute.

Good luck! Tell us how it goes.

Thank you! I had been thinking about the spray in foam, at least for the bust of the dress form, because I'm afraid mine would likely cave in easily (the dress form's bust, not mine:) ) I'll let you all know how it goes, I'm definitely gonna try it, and my mom seems to think it will be great fun to wrap me up in duct tape.