Re: [h-cost] dress forms

2010-05-28 Thread Nordtorp-Madson, Michelle A.
I could not agree more.  They are very easy to alter for short-term or 
long-term use (or even weight gain/loss for personal sewing).  I use them in 
the museum displays because I cannot afford of the period' mannequins.  I 
recommend them.  And when I have repadded or corsetted them, I slip a tight 
t-shirt or camisole over them for a smooth surface.


On 5/28/10 12:31 PM, Cin cinbar...@gmail.com wrote:

For all the whining about the foam dummies, I'd just like to make
clear that they are heads  shoulders grin bettter than any other
option.  It's not hard to bob the exaggerated bits.  It took only
minutes to change excess boobage into protrusive shoulderblades.

I cant stick pins in my plaster cast dummy.  He was however, free, so
I keep him.  Foam squeezes just a little more to reshape just a smidge
when you want to try a new style of corsetry.  Plaster, paper tape
dummies deform the underlying body you're trying to model. Dial-a
dummies are just plain inadequate for most people.

Really, there's no other sensible option: get a foam dummy.  Pad her
out with ace bandages, give her a boob-lift with a stocking full of
birdseed, buy several covers and do one each for your corseted,
bullet-bra  natural shapes,. Sew her an arm for a sleeve form  pin
it to the cover when you need it.  They last for years!
--cin
Cynthia Barnes
cinbar...@gmail.com


Posted by: foureverfaire foureverfa...@yahoo.com   foureverfaire
Thu May 27, 2010 12:38 pm (PDT)


Though i don't have a dress form myself, i have frirends that do and
i've heard others talk about having the same challenge of having to
cut down parts of the Uniquely You Dress forms.
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Re: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction

2010-05-28 Thread A. Thurman
I think this is the same exhibit that was at the Italian Embassy in DC
for a couple of weeks in 2008. It too wasn't well publicized - I only
found out about it by luck and had to make an appointment to see it.

Very, very good, because I could get very close to everything and even
back views of some of the reconstructions. I have photos; if there's
interest I can put them on Flickr or the like.

Allison T.

On Fri, May 28, 2010 at 2:00 PM,  h-costume-requ...@indra.com wrote:

 Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 15:27:42 -0700
 From: Wicked Frau wickedf...@gmail.com
 To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com,
        therenaissancetai...@yahoogroups.com
 Subject: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction
 Message-ID:
        aanlktim4gctdb8asnvi5dcjd-_drgtix42ah5c_uv...@mail.gmail.com
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 http://www.kingstudio.it/

 I must have been asleep in 2004.  How did I miss this exhibit in NY???

 Very cool.

 Sg


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Re: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction

2010-05-28 Thread appin1
I saw this exhibit at the embassy in DC. Most of the reconstructions are very 
good, but one had me wondering -- the gown was actually below the bosom so all 
you saw on top was the chemise over the mannequin's boobs! The neckline of the 
gown was at ribcage level. 



Kathleen Novell





-Original Message-
From: A. Thurman athur...@gmail.com
To: h-costume h-cost...@indra.com
Sent: Fri, May 28, 2010 2:47 pm
Subject: Re: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction


I think this is the same exhibit that was at the Italian Embassy in DC
or a couple of weeks in 2008. It too wasn't well publicized - I only
ound out about it by luck and had to make an appointment to see it.
Very, very good, because I could get very close to everything and even
ack views of some of the reconstructions. I have photos; if there's
nterest I can put them on Flickr or the like.
Allison T.
On Fri, May 28, 2010 at 2:00 PM,  h-costume-requ...@indra.com wrote:
 Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 15:27:42 -0700
 From: Wicked Frau wickedf...@gmail.com
 To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com,
therenaissancetai...@yahoogroups.com
 Subject: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction
 Message-ID:
aanlktim4gctdb8asnvi5dcjd-_drgtix42ah5c_uv...@mail.gmail.com
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 http://www.kingstudio.it/

 I must have been asleep in 2004.  How did I miss this exhibit in NY???

 Very cool.

 Sg

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Re: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction

2010-05-28 Thread Katy Bishop
I would love to see the photos!  I almost made an Eleonora gown as
part of my final project in college.

Katy

On Fri, May 28, 2010 at 2:46 PM, A. Thurman athur...@gmail.com wrote:
 I think this is the same exhibit that was at the Italian Embassy in DC
 for a couple of weeks in 2008. It too wasn't well publicized - I only
 found out about it by luck and had to make an appointment to see it.

 Very, very good, because I could get very close to everything and even
 back views of some of the reconstructions. I have photos; if there's
 interest I can put them on Flickr or the like.

 Allison T.

 On Fri, May 28, 2010 at 2:00 PM,  h-costume-requ...@indra.com wrote:

 Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 15:27:42 -0700
 From: Wicked Frau wickedf...@gmail.com
 To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com,
        therenaissancetai...@yahoogroups.com
 Subject: [h-cost] New to me - Historic Clothing Reconstruction
 Message-ID:
        aanlktim4gctdb8asnvi5dcjd-_drgtix42ah5c_uv...@mail.gmail.com
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 http://www.kingstudio.it/

 I must have been asleep in 2004.  How did I miss this exhibit in NY???

 Very cool.

 Sg


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 http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume




-- 
Katy Bishop, Vintage Victorian
katybisho...@gmail.comwww.VintageVictorian.com
 Custom reproduction gowns of the Victorian Era.
  Publisher of the Vintage Dress Series books.

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Re: [h-cost] dress forms

2010-05-28 Thread Kimiko Small
I have a foam dummy, and I love her (she's named Bessie Blunt, since I had to 
whack her breasts and was working on Tudor clothing at the time).

Cin, what sort of stocking do you suggest using for the bird seed? And why  
how ace bandages for padding? I padded mine with poly batting in the areas I 
needed, under the cover. I'm just picturing the ace bandage going round and 
round the body - and that doesn't seem right so I am thinking you are doing 
something different.

Thank you,

Kimiko

 Kimiko Small
http://www.kimiko1.com
Be the change you want to see in the world. ~ Ghandi


The Tudor Lady's Wardrobe pattern
http://www.margospatterns.com/





From: Cin cinbar...@gmail.com

Really, there's no other sensible option: get a foam dummy.  Pad her
out with ace bandages, give her a boob-lift with a stocking full of
birdseed,



  
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Re: [h-cost] dress forms

2010-05-28 Thread Schaeffer, Astrida
Just be careful in museum settings-- they are not archivally sound, they outgas.

Astrida


From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of 
Nordtorp-Madson, Michelle A. [manordto...@stthomas.edu]
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 1:39 PM
To: Historical Costume
Subject: Re: [h-cost] dress forms

I could not agree more.  They are very easy to alter for short-term or 
long-term use (or even weight gain/loss for personal sewing).  I use them in 
the museum displays because I cannot afford of the period' mannequins.  I 
recommend them.  And when I have repadded or corsetted them, I slip a tight 
t-shirt or camisole over them for a smooth surface.


On 5/28/10 12:31 PM, Cin cinbar...@gmail.com wrote:

For all the whining about the foam dummies, I'd just like to make
clear that they are heads  shoulders grin bettter than any other
option.  It's not hard to bob the exaggerated bits.  It took only
minutes to change excess boobage into protrusive shoulderblades.

I cant stick pins in my plaster cast dummy.  He was however, free, so
I keep him.  Foam squeezes just a little more to reshape just a smidge
when you want to try a new style of corsetry.  Plaster, paper tape
dummies deform the underlying body you're trying to model. Dial-a
dummies are just plain inadequate for most people.

Really, there's no other sensible option: get a foam dummy.  Pad her
out with ace bandages, give her a boob-lift with a stocking full of
birdseed, buy several covers and do one each for your corseted,
bullet-bra  natural shapes,. Sew her an arm for a sleeve form  pin
it to the cover when you need it.  They last for years!
--cin
Cynthia Barnes
cinbar...@gmail.com


Posted by: foureverfaire foureverfa...@yahoo.com   foureverfaire
Thu May 27, 2010 12:38 pm (PDT)


Though i don't have a dress form myself, i have frirends that do and
i've heard others talk about having the same challenge of having to
cut down parts of the Uniquely You Dress forms.
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Re: [h-cost] dress forms

2010-05-28 Thread Nordtorp-Madson, Michelle A.
Not all of them; be careful of foam type.  And you can always wrap them in 
inert plastic, too.


From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of 
Schaeffer, Astrida [astrida.schaef...@unh.edu]
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 8:09 PM
To: Historical Costume
Subject: Re: [h-cost] dress forms

Just be careful in museum settings-- they are not archivally sound, they outgas.

Astrida


From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of 
Nordtorp-Madson, Michelle A. [manordto...@stthomas.edu]
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 1:39 PM
To: Historical Costume
Subject: Re: [h-cost] dress forms

I could not agree more.  They are very easy to alter for short-term or 
long-term use (or even weight gain/loss for personal sewing).  I use them in 
the museum displays because I cannot afford of the period' mannequins.  I 
recommend them.  And when I have repadded or corsetted them, I slip a tight 
t-shirt or camisole over them for a smooth surface.


On 5/28/10 12:31 PM, Cin cinbar...@gmail.com wrote:

For all the whining about the foam dummies, I'd just like to make
clear that they are heads  shoulders grin bettter than any other
option.  It's not hard to bob the exaggerated bits.  It took only
minutes to change excess boobage into protrusive shoulderblades.

I cant stick pins in my plaster cast dummy.  He was however, free, so
I keep him.  Foam squeezes just a little more to reshape just a smidge
when you want to try a new style of corsetry.  Plaster, paper tape
dummies deform the underlying body you're trying to model. Dial-a
dummies are just plain inadequate for most people.

Really, there's no other sensible option: get a foam dummy.  Pad her
out with ace bandages, give her a boob-lift with a stocking full of
birdseed, buy several covers and do one each for your corseted,
bullet-bra  natural shapes,. Sew her an arm for a sleeve form  pin
it to the cover when you need it.  They last for years!
--cin
Cynthia Barnes
cinbar...@gmail.com


Posted by: foureverfaire foureverfa...@yahoo.com   foureverfaire
Thu May 27, 2010 12:38 pm (PDT)


Though i don't have a dress form myself, i have frirends that do and
i've heard others talk about having the same challenge of having to
cut down parts of the Uniquely You Dress forms.
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Re: [h-cost] dress forms

2010-05-28 Thread Marjorie Wilser
I'll have to agree with Cin, here. I love my foam dummy, although  
she's been relegated to storage for some time now.


Part of that MAY have been my memories of the hysterical laughter when  
my husband and I unboxed her. We spent about an hour admiring her  
excessive and, well PERKY boobage. He's not even a costumer but boy  
did we have fun about her! She's a pleasant thought on a dark day :)


Corset her and she's fine for whatever era. Sure fitting is a pain,  
but isn't it always?


== Marjorie Wilser

=:=:=:Three Toad Press:=:=:=

Learn to laugh at yourself and you will never lack for amusement. --MW

http://3toad.blogspot.com/




On May 28, 2010, at 10:31 AM, Cin wrote:


For all the whining about the foam dummies, I'd just like to make
clear that they are heads  shoulders grin bettter than any other
option.  It's not hard to bob the exaggerated bits.  It took only
minutes to change excess boobage into protrusive shoulderblades.

I cant stick pins in my plaster cast dummy.  He was however, free, so
I keep him.  Foam squeezes just a little more to reshape just a smidge
when you want to try a new style of corsetry.  Plaster, paper tape
dummies deform the underlying body you're trying to model. Dial-a
dummies are just plain inadequate for most people.

Really, there's no other sensible option: get a foam dummy.  Pad her
out with ace bandages, give her a boob-lift with a stocking full of
birdseed, buy several covers and do one each for your corseted,
bullet-bra  natural shapes,. Sew her an arm for a sleeve form  pin
it to the cover when you need it.  They last for years!
--cin
Cynthia Barnes
cinbar...@gmail.com


Posted by: foureverfaire foureverfa...@yahoo.com   foureverfaire
Thu May 27, 2010 12:38 pm (PDT)


Though i don't have a dress form myself, i have frirends that do and
i've heard others talk about having the same challenge of having to
cut down parts of the Uniquely You Dress forms.
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[h-cost] Preparing an exhibition of historical garments

2010-05-28 Thread Aylwen Gardiner-Garden
The posts on dummies are reminding me to write this request.
I am putting on an exhibition next year of 200-year old garments that are
too small for the standard sized dummy/mannequin - I probably need ones the
size of a thin 12-year old girl. Can you recommend anywhere online where I
can purchase nice-looking foam dummies/mannequins for display of extant
garments? I really want people to see the gowns in 3D instead of lying flat
in boxes. I have purchased dummies in the past from
http://www.tinnafashion.com but the shoulders and chests are too broad.
Bye for now,

Aylwen
Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy
http://www.earthlydelights.com.au
Director, Jane Austen Festival Australia
http://www.janeaustenfestival.com.au
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Re: [h-cost] Preparing an exhibition of historical garments

2010-05-28 Thread ladybeanofbunny1
 Hi there, I know that in the past, although it was out of my budget, there is 
a place that sells foam mannequins that can be cut with a special tool. I don't 
know where this was exactly because I had the link on my old computer over 
three years ago but this is a place saved in my new favourites. While this may 
not be the recommended way to display old pieces, if you are really in a pinch 
and need something specific, I could recommend a home-made form as I have been 
using for my Victorian collection displays. NOT suitable of course for long 
term display but as I said, good for a pinch. The link to the site is: 
http://www.anatomic.net/ They may or may not do custom. If they do however, it 
will likely cost and depending on the scale of your exhibit and budget it may 
or may not be worth it. 
Note: This works for dresses only. 
Now, this will sound super cheesy but it does work if you have a somewhat 
creative, sculptural mind. Most of what you would need is from the home 
improvement center. Get a roll of chicken wire, the stuff with the hexagon 
openings in it. It comes in a couple widths, I buy the stuff that is 36 high 
since most torsos are not longer than that. As many wooden stair posts as you 
would need, some thin wood, nails, batting, and muslin. 

Basically what you do, is make a stand with the post and some of the wood. On 
top of that you cut a piece out that is the shape and span of the hip line of 
your garment. The total length of the garment's torso down to the hipline gets 
made from the chicken wire so you will need to cut that to just a little longer 
than what you need and about 4 inches (more or less if wanted) wider than the 
hip measure or widest measure of the torso if it isn't the hip. The wire will 
be folded in and you reach into the wire and twist the cut ends to secure the 
tube closed. Wear heavy gloves and long sleeves for this because the wire is 
sharp! The tube of wire gets fixed to the piece of wood on the stand, the 
chicken wire stapled or tucked under the wood so as to make a smooth hip line 
at the bottom. 

*No cut edges of wire should be exposed when you are through, they should all 
be secured together and tucked under inside the tube so they will not snag on 
any material or poke through. It is easier to just fold any excess wire at the 
top inside at the neckline. This will make a stronger and safer opening than 
just cutting to length. 
Once you have your wire attached to the stand is when the creative part begins. 
You have to more or less bend and form the wire, sculpting it to the correct 
shape, proportions, measurements of the garment. You can test for fit and 
continue to readjust until the garment fits well. It should be the right fit 
but a little smaller to accommodate the following steps.
?Once the wire is sculpted into the correct torso form, take the batting and 
cover the wire as neatly and tightly as possible and just drape the form with 
unbleached washed cotton muslin. It should be washed without detergents so as 
to be safest against the fabrics. You literally just drape it to the form and 
hand stitch into place just to cover the batting. In areas where the garment 
fits loosely, take some pieces of torn or fluffed up batting or acid free 
tissue paper and gently stuff it until it fits well. This step I usually hold 
off on until I am setting up the display.
Be reminded this is NOT ideal for long term display but will really get you by 
in a quick pinch and the best part is that they are completely custom sized for 
each garment! You can get little yard sale tags too and label each form and tie 
them to the inside neckline of each form for future use because, believe me, 
once they are naked they are difficult to tell apart. 

If you cannot locate what you are looking for and decide to give my home made 
display form technique a try, please let me know how it worked out for your or 
if you have any questions. 

Take care and good luck:)

Regards,
Justine Jackson.


lady_of_bris...@yahoo.com
www.DVLGS.org






-Original Message-
From: Aylwen Gardiner-Garden lt;aylwe...@gmail.comgt;
To: Historical Costume lt;h-cost...@indra.comgt;
Sent: Sat, May 29, 2010 12:40 am
Subject: [h-cost] Preparing an exhibition of historical garments

 
 
 
The posts on dummies are reminding me to write this request. 
I am putting on an exhibition next year of 200-year old garments that are 
too small for the standard sized dummy/mannequin - I probably need ones the 
size of a thin 12-year old girl. Can you recommend anywhere online where I 
can purchase nice-looking foam dummies/mannequins for display of extant 
garments? I really want people to see the gowns in 3D instead of lying flat 
in boxes. I have purchased dummies in the past from 
http://www.tinnafashion.com but the shoulders and chests are too broad. 
Bye for now, 
 
Aylwen 
Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy 
http://www.earthlydelights.com.au 
Director, Jane Austen Festival Australia