Mannequin measurement dimension guidelines, Dressmaking dummy measurement lines for home sewers.

How to turn your Fixed dressmaking dummy into a semi-professional. I turned an affordable dummy into a semi-professional.

Well, If your body measurement is quite a standard size like mine, you can follow my tip and save your money.

Before you start your research for a dummy, take your body measurements and compare the dummy size chart with your personal body measurements. Don’t worry If you have some small differences, it is fine.

The next step, find your dummy. There are many dressmaking dummies on the market. Read my previous post.

Mannequin or Dressmaking dummy? How to make the right choice ? for sewing beginners.

https://needle-deal.com/how-to-customise-a-professional-sewing-tailors-dummy/: Mannequin measurement dimension guidelines, Dressmaking dummy measurement lines for home sewers.

 Important that the dummy has to be pinnable and with a textile-replaceable cover. I do recommend you black cover like mine (it is for visible guidelines)

The final step is adding your personal measurement guidelines. The measurement guidelines lines on the dressmaking dummy have a very important purpose for a dressmaker; it allows the professional and quickly find the correct garment balance adjustments. Also, the lines help you fix fitting issues and mistakes.

We are going to mark the guidelines with a threaded needle and running stitch.

Step 1. Neck circumference measurements line

1. For the first step, you will need your neck circumference measurements; use Tailor’s chalk marking the first correct line before going around with running stitch.

Step 2. Waistline, go from the front middle neckline down  to the waist (measurements from the neck to the waist)

Step 3. Nape to the waist, front middle neckline down to the waist. Those lines help you find the correct waistline.

Step 4. Find your shoulder line. For this step, you need two of your body measurements.

Back- from the waist to the shoulder (look at the picture below)

Front from the shoulder to waist (look at the picture below)

Important calculations find the correct garment balance. shoulder line
You got two measurements like (your personal body measurements)

Back 42 cm + Front 43=85
85:2 = 42.5 my shoulder correct line also it us call correct garment balance.

From back point up to the shoulder, I need to measure 42.5 -it’s my shoulder line.
From this point, mark your shoulder line, and add your personal long shoulder measurement.

Step 5

So, we are almost found the most important lines on the dummy. Those lines should help you find the rest of the lines. I recommend making these two measurements to be more precise with the waistline.

Front- from the middle of the body, middle neck point down to the waistline

Back-from middle of the body, middle neck point down to the waistline

Step 6

Hip line- from the waistline down the body, make a mark your personal hip circumference measurements.

Step 7

The next important line on the dummy is the armhole.

 Turn around your dummy on the profile side, and find your shoulder point than you would need one personal measurement ( look at the pictures) from the waist to your armhole (armpit) measurement.

 Use always the Tailor’s chalk before making a permanent running stitch.

Step 8

Across chest and across back measurement – this are very important measurement helps you to check your armhole size.

Finally, we found the most important lines; it looks like a basic net around a dressmaking dummy.

From this point, you can add your measurement lines as much as you think you need.

I addended more lines for lingerie sewing, like a bra and a corset.

That is what my dummy looks like with my personal measurements.

I like my dressmaking dummy because it always keeps my body measurements for my next sewing project.

I do share with you my idea and simple steps to make it.

In next post I’ll open my sicret how I do use this dressmaking dummy for making defferent sewing progects .


I hope you enjoy reading my post, and please follow me on social media.
If you have some more questions, feel free to contact me.

Dressmaking dummy,

this is the link for the same dummy.