What’s the difference between the Professional Dress Form vs a Body Form? I get this question all of the time, so I figured I'd start here.

It’s imperative to understand that not all dress forms are alike. There are thousands of types, all different from the other. Let’s talk about one of sewing’s favorite subjects Professional Dress Forms!

Professional Dress Form with cast iron base. These kind of forms are usually made with paper mache, padded with a few layers of cotton wadding and covered in linen. These are usually available either as a classic dressmaker form with a skirt cage.The Professional Dress Forms comes in several colors: Linen, Maroon, Black and also custom colors.

A Professional Dress Form has a much thicker layer of foam padding which is beneficial when sewing or tailoring. It can accommodate the direct insertion of pins to hold fabric. And a sewing form is a full scale anatomically correct version of the human form.

http://www.mannequinmode.com/professional-maroon-dressmaker-form-sizes-4-6-8-10-12-mm-603/

Products Description:

High density felt (not sponge) covered over the dress form can strongly hold pins when draping. Heavy duty traditional cast iron base (black color) with 4 wheels. Natural body shaped with realistic look buttock. Pinnable dress form with collapsible shoulders. Covered by Maroon color fabric. With bump outside seams to enable you feel them when draping with fabric. Easily adjust the height by stepping on foot pedal.

Available sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

Body Form with Caster Base. These forms are often designed to look just like sewing forms but they are really created for displaying clothing. The form is usually made from either Styrofoam or Fiberglass. Some dress forms cover a middle ground between professional sewing form and display body form.

Although it is sometime advertised as a sewing form, it doesn’t have collapsible shoulders, is made from Styrofoam, and the stand has a height pedal that is purely decorative. You’ll also notice that the body shape is quite simplified, with absolutely no butt.

This Body Form is for displaying clothes in a retail environment or online – NOT for sewing. Technically since you can pin into the jersey cover (it has Styrofoam underneath), it can be used for sewing. This is why parents often purchase this form for their teenage child who wants to be a fashion designer.

http://www.mannequinmode.com/cream-female-body-form-plus-size-14-16-with-caster-base-mm-jf14-16c/

Products Description:

Attractive plus size 14/16 Body Styrofoam Form covered in durable Jersey knit material. Form comes complete with adjustable caster base and neck block, overall height adjustable up to 72" form is movable from caster base.

Measurement: Bust 42" x Waist 32" x Hip 43.5" x Form Height 30" x Cross Shoulder 17"

Colors: Cream and Black

Available sizes: 2/4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20

Let’s Talk Price

Because Body Forms typically cost less than Professional Dress Form. If you're on a budget, you may want to choose a Body Form for this reason. However, if you only plan to use your body form to display garments, then you may want to go with a cheaper option, such as the standard display body form version (shown above). Display Body Forms usually cost less than $100 and can be found on our website http://www.mannequinmode.com/female-body-forms/. We are offering 10% off on our Body Forms.

While these Professional Dress Forms generally have a much higher price tag (usually between $150 and $500), their features and longevity significantly outweigh those of the standard display body form versions. For one, professional dress forms feature more accurate proportions and are available in a variety of sizes. You can purchase the Professional Dress Forms on our website http://www.mannequinmode.com/female-half-body-dress-forms/

Do you have a form? What do you use it for?  We have the right form for you at mannequinmode.com.

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