Did you ever wonder how to make a cover for a dressform? I did, and every idea I found was more complicated than the other. This is as easy as it can get.
Her name is Bertha, and she came in the mail last week. Bertha and I have a something in common, like dress size. Though I’d like to think that I have a good head over my shoulders.
I always wanted to have a friend like Bertha, to sew some nice clothes together and play dress-up. But friends like Bertha are expensive, so when I found I could have her for less than $100 plus shipping, I decided it was time.
This is Bertha when she came to me. She’s an adjustable dress form, a very basic one. She’s no pinnable (bummer), and is covered in some ugly gray flannel on top of her plastic frame.
You can see the gaps where the adjustable plates join, on top of that, the gaps are more pronounced after I adjusted her to my size (I am bustier). I needed to do something about it.
The process was simple, and the photos self-explanatory.
How to make a cover for a dressform:
- Pin some stretchy fabric (Jersey or ribbed knit works best) alongside join, stretching as needed. Then mark the cutting line between the pins. Cut piece. Repeat for the back.
- Join the two pieces with with overcast machine. Serge the hem with looser threads.
- Pass a thick cotton thread through loops in the hem.
- Tighten and gather fabric at the bottom. Tie the threads.
This is the second cover I made for her, following the same process.
While Bertha is not a pinnable dressform, the two layers fabric (the pink one is underneath) means I can pin fabric to the new cover in a pinch. So it’s not only a matter of looking better.
I can now also wash her cover when necessary, and now that I see how easy this was, I can buy other fabrics and make new covers any time. This may be the easiest DIY cover for a dress form yet.
Bertha hasn’t said anything about her new looks (she’s a shy girl), but I can tell she looks happier. What do you think?
Aunt Clara
I found an adjustable form at the curb last week so I scooped it into the car. It’s really old and needs freshening. I’m not concerned about the size but it’s disgusting to look at. I plan to use it for selling on ebay & etsy etc. Your tutorial is perfect! I can’t wait for my significant other to go to work tomorrow so I can have at it! He hates it when I take stuff from the curb; I don’t want him to see it until she’s all dolled-up. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad to hear you found the tutorial useful. 🙂
Yes! I’m needing to spruce up my adjustable dress form a bit so that I can use it to take decent photos of a bridesmaid dress I just made. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
I am glad you liked it. 🙂
That is so cute. I plan to try it.
Hello
Finally a easy way to cover a dressform! Thank you so much! Yours look lovely!
Thanks for the tute. I got an old dress form from a store that was closing and she’s just sitting here looking ugly. I will have to make her look pretty now and also give her a pretty name. My only question is about the name “Bertha”! I think mine will be “Olivia”.
I don’t know why, I guess I just liked the name. 🙂
Would putting a bra on Bertha and stuffing it to match your shape help? I know since everything on me has gone south I do a lot of adjusting.
I did that under the cover. 🙂
I have this exact dress form and this tutorial is EXACTLY what I needed! Thank you so much! Also… how did you get it to stay tucked into the neck lining so neatly?
it’s an an adjustable and you can turn the neck dial so it opens up and turn it back close.
In your post you said that you were bustier then Bertha. I was was wondering how you increased her busthine? I was given a dress form for christmas but it was too small. I love Bertha’s new look
It’s an adjustable dressform, you can move the breastplates to adjust the size.
Put an old full cup bra of yours on her and then stuff the cups- I used old pop socks and tights.worked like a dream! Her name is Lille Libercourt after a sign post I passed in France. She has a friend called Prudence Ecole (sign outside the village primary school there).
😀 Thanks for the advice, I had figured that already. I love the names of yours.
Finally! I can bring my ~Lucy~ down from storage and proudly display and use her more! Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea:)
Where did you get Bertha?
Frankly, I can’t remember, but nowadays I would start the search on eBay, they are much cheaper now.
I’ll definitely make this for my new (used) dress form. Thanks for posting!
Glad it helped!
Hello! I know this is a pretty old post now, but this tutorial was exactly what I was looking for and I just wanted to let you know that I think it’s GENIUS that you use the serger threads as a channel for the gathering hem. I’m going to have to try that technique! You should be proud that your work is still inspiring people.
Thank you so much. In case you wanted to know, Bertha is holding up beautifully and the cover looks as beautiful as the first day. 🙂
I m craft lover person ,always keen to watch new ideas.
Hi, Thanks for the tips. This will help me greatly. Thanks ever.
This is awesome. I have been looking for a black jersey cover for my dress forms, and so I thank you for posting this.
(Under statement of the month) THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it – Thanks for tutorial.Dee.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have been searching the web up and down for a tutorial on how to cover my dress form. Now, I finally have a use for mine (which is too big for me, and I've been unsuccessful in selling). My fabric wasn't quite stretchy enough; however, I made it work by adding a zipper to the back – since I'm only using the dress form in photos that will have the front visible. It looks awesome!
Thanks all. The pink "skin" is growing on me. It looks so much better than what she came in with that pink is a huge improvement.
Hello!I think Bertha looks lovely in pink! Love the sweet hearts you made for your daughters room too!Rachel x
A definite improvement.. I like the sound of floral print, I'm sure Bertha does too! It's great when an aesthetic improvement is also a functional one too..
Very nice! And thanks for the source information. -EJ-
Bertha has a very pretty butterfly necklace and she does look happy and content in pink – instead of the gray ☺.