When you’re sewing clothing, a dress form can help you get the perfect fit and drape. The thing is, no two people are shaped the same way — which is where an adjustable dress form comes in. These forms feature moving sections, so you can create the perfect proportions. In comparison to custom-made dress forms, adjustable models are more affordable. They’re also more versatile, so you can sew for multiple people.
Not sure where to start? We’ve done the legwork for you! Here are our recommendations for the five best adjustable dress forms on the market.
Top 5: Adjustable Dress Forms Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Price |
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9.9 | ||
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9.1 |
This 13 Dials Adjustable Mannequin Dress Form features 13 different adjustment dials. You can move each one separately — which means that it’s a breeze to create the perfect fit. There are dials at every important point on the torso, including the neck and the back.
At the bottom of the form, you’ll find a hem gauge; this unit helps you hem garments to an even height. Plus, with the adjustable base and neck height adjustment dial, you can match the form to your height.
Covered in foam with a nylon cover, this sturdy form accepts pins easily. Simply slip them through the fabric and into the foam to keep your dress fabric in place during fitting.
A four-armed pedestal supports the dress form, providing stability in all directions. The unit is light enough to carry, but sturdy enough to stay upright while you’re pinning and fitting. Keep in mind that you may need a little elbow grease to put it together, but once it’s assembled, it stays together nicely.
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This Dritz Dress Form is designed with 10 different adjustments for easy fitting. It’s particularly useful if you’re working with dramatically different bust, waist, and hip measurements; each section can be adjusted separately to accommodate hourglass shapes.
On the base of the form, you’ll find an adjustable hemming gauge. This gauge moves up and down, so it’s easy to adjust your hem length from mini to maxi. The base itself is engineered to stand firmly to prevent tipping while you work on a garment.
If you live in an apartment or a home with minimal space, this model is a great choice; between uses, the stand folds up, so you can store the form in a small area. Overall, we recommend this Dritz form if you’re planning to sew mostly for one person; the dials work best when they’re not subjected to constant adjusting.
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If you’re sewing for one or more people with standard measurements, this SONGMICS Dress Form is a convenient fitting tool. It’s designed to work for sizes 6, 7, and 8 — no need to change the shape. The base of the form is adjustable to account for people of different heights.
The exterior of the form is covered in a white t-shirt cotton. This fabric doesn’t clash with any fabric type or color, which makes it easier for you to evaluate the design of a garment. If you’re working with sheer fabrics, the neutral color is an ideal background. Don’t worry about stains from marking chalk or fabric markers — you can simply remove the cover for washing.
The top and base of this dress form are accented with wooden sections, which creates a polished look in a shop or a highly visible sewing room. Between sewing sessions, you can use it to display jewelry. The wood also creates extra strength, so you can use the form for heavy garments such as wedding dresses or ball gowns.
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If you’re sewing for petite people or people with long torsos, this ROXYDISPLAY Dress Form can help you get the right fit. With 12 different adjustment dials, you can fine-tune the measurements to create the perfect shape. There’s even a hip dial, which is helpful if you need to adjust for narrow or wide hips. The base also moves up and down to accommodate different heights.
With its wine-colored cover, this dress form pops against lighter-colored fabrics, making it easy to see the details. Under the fabric exterior, a layer of foam accepts fabric pins for fitting and draping.
One of the best parts of this dress form is the base. It uses four wide legs to create a sturdy, stable base. That means that you can use the form for medium-weight or heavy-weight dresses.
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This Fashion Maker Adjustable Dress Form comes with 12 adjustment knobs. If you need to make quick changes on the fly, the included tool allows easy one-handed adjustments. Once you set a dial, it stays firmly in place while you work with a garment. Be sure to compare the actual measurements of the form to your required measurements before choosing to make sure that you’re getting the right size.
On the base of the form, there’s a hem marker to assist in even hems. The marker swivels smoothly for easy marking.
This dress form is delicate, so it’s best used when it doesn’t need to be moved or adjusted frequently. If you plan to set it for a single set of measurements, however, it provides a realistic shape and size.
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Choosing the Right Adjustable Dress Form
As you’re searching for the right adjustable dress form, there are a few considerations that can help you make the best choice. First, check the initial size and the adjustment range. Can it be adjusted to fit your measurements? If you want to use the form for pants or skirts, it’s also a good idea to make sure the bottom edge extends low enough to be useful. Finally, make sure that the dials are easy to adjust, and that they stay firmly locked when you pick a position.
best adjustable dress form
Choosing the right dress form has a big impact on the fit and drape of your final garments. Each of these forms offers different benefits. If you’re sewing for people, we recommend the SONGMICS dress form; its wooden accents are both beautiful and strong, which is ideal for heavy dresses or a public sewing space.
If you’re working with specific proportions or you’re sewing for multiple people, on the other hand, we recommend the 13 dials dress form. With so many adjustments, it’s easy to get the right fit.
Check out the SONGMICS Form or the 13 Dials Form to learn more.
Need Dress ideas?
If so we have some awesome recommendations for brunch dresses.
And you may also want to specifically check out EricDress who has an awesome layout of all different types of dress options!
Final Verdict
In the end, the best dress form for you depends on how you’re using it. If you need to move the dials frequently, it’s important to find a model with sturdy dials. That way, you can be sure that they’ll hold up to frequent changes.
With a little bit of research, it’s easy to find a great adjustable dress form that meets your sewing requirements. Once you have a form, you can drape and fit with ease.
