How to choose a mannequin

Mannequins can differ from each other in size, degree of similarity with the natural figures of people, but first of all, it is precisely these distinguishing features of a particular figure that make it comfortable to work on it.

Regardless of the purpose of the intended use, you need to choose a tailor's dummy, paying attention to the following factors that determine, first of all, convenient and long-term use of this tool:

Types

  • Having a fixed size. It corresponds to a certain type and size. It is made according to all GOST standards. It is considered a standard type of product;
  • Retractable. You can adjust its parameters to a given size;
  • Equipped with the ability to smoothly adjust the necessary parameters.

It’s worth starting with understanding how to choose a professional mannequin that has a fixed size. Its dimensions are unchanged, so if your parameters are slightly different from the standard ones, then select the one that most closely matches yours. The parameters of different parts may vary depending on the manufacturer. Such a product is made of polymeric materials, which can be elastic or rigid. You can stick needles into them without any problems.

At the same time, he wears a special cover. It is easy to remove and wash if necessary.

Selection rules

The choice of such parameters:

  • Case. It is one of the important parameters that testify to the quality of the goods. Many manufacturers use cotton materials for tightening. They do not slip, there are no traces of punctures left on them, and it is also easy to clean them. But the price of such products is appropriate. At the same time, cheaper options are fitted with synthetic knitted material. Most often, the fabric can be either black or light shade. Costly models may have a cover made of designer fabric or velvet. When buying a mannequin for work, it is better to choose one that has baselines on the surface.
  • Stand. Some do not take this detail into account, but this is a mistake. The stability of the figure depends on the stand. When choosing, be sure to check this option. Wooden coasters in the form of a tripod are fragile and often break. It is better to choose a metal product. The product also needs constant movement, so the presence of removable wheels is only a plus.
  • Height adjustment . To work comfortably, the seamstress should be able to set the required height of the figure. Therefore, the presence of height adjustment is an additional plus.
  • Convenience of putting on a product. There are soft tissue mannequins on which non-stretch items can be worn. Some stitched clothing can be difficult to pull on.
  • Carrying ironing on a mannequin. Sometimes it is just necessary to steam and iron clothes directly on the figure. When choosing, you need to find out about the quality of the base and cover from the model you are interested in. You need to make sure that the product will withstand high temperatures.
  • Supplement the figure with your feet. This may be needed when sewing and modeling models of trousers and shorts. Not all species have this capability. At the same time, it is an additional plus, while there will be more opportunities to sew various products with it.
  • Device for hemming on skirts. See if there is a device in the kit that performs hem under the garment. Then you can easily align the bottom line of the products, and you can also fix the hem with pins. It is worth noting that if the selected model of the mannequin is not equipped with such an addition, it can be purchased separately.

There are manufacturers who offer the release of a fixed mannequin according to your individual standards. Then you will have a product that exactly repeats all your parameters. In this case, you can not even measure clothes on yourself. Everything will sit on you perfectly. Of course, at the same time you have to pay a considerable amount, the price of this type is significantly different from the standard.

It is worth noting that there are models in which elastic polymeric materials are used. They are resistant to moisture. Therefore, they can use the sculpting method.

Choosing a sewing mannequin is not so difficult. It is important to consider several important nuances. At the same time, pay attention not only to the basis of the product, but also to other details that are no less important. Case, stand and additional functions will help you choose a quality product that will last you a long time.

Material

As for the material from which the figure is made, then distinguish figures made of hard plastic or wood and the so-called soft mannequins.

Solid figures have a number of significant drawbacks. They often break when dropped, you can’t steal and iron things on them, you can’t stick a pin in them, which excludes work by the tack method. The main advantage is their low price, which in no way compensates for the inconvenience associated with their use.

Tightening solid mannequins with a dense canvas does not greatly improve the characteristics of these products, although a number of manufacturers call them soft for marketing purposes. Pins can be attached to such an item, but it is impossible, for example, to attach a marking tape to it, it is impossible to steam and iron the manufactured item.

These soft mannequins are made entirely of special materials that allow you to slightly compress the figure to accommodate non-stretch blanks. They are moisture resistant, withstand high temperatures. Steaming and ironing the product directly on the figure greatly facilitate the work on the implementation of the collar, lapels. This is also important when working with a sleeve - it is possible to iron its fit, to work on the form more comfortably.

The soft mannequin is excellent for using the tacking method in the manufacture of the model. The patterns are easily and securely attached, in addition, pins can be stuck into the figure, which is very convenient for placing marking tapes.

disadvantages

Commercially available sliding mannequins are considered by many tailors to be extremely unsuccessful for professional activities. The main disadvantages are:

  • the presence of gaps, which is especially noticeable when sliding parts to increase size;
  • the size of the mannequin increases evenly, that is, when resizing to a larger side, the thickness of the neck and shoulder becomes extremely disproportionate;
  • resizing mechanisms often break and break. When steaming, the metal parts of these mechanisms may rust;
  • relatively high price.

As a result, after some time of using such a mannequin, only its use in the smallest size (without extension) at a price much higher than that of analogues with a fixed size remains comfortable.

If the question arose, how to choose a figure for long-term professional use, the ability to use various additions to it will be a very useful quality of this tool:

  • removable legs and arms;
  • a head for modeling complex collars, hoods, a more complete understanding of the created image;
  • shoulder pads;
  • a mechanism for hemming the bottom of the product.

A convenient and high-quality mannequin is no less important for designing and sewing clothes than a good sewing machine or cutting table. Its acquisition is an important step towards increasing the level, an indicator of professional attitude to tailoring.

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