Dress Form System, White, XL

It took some time, about 90 minutes, to take all my measurements and put the pads in the right places but it was well worth the effort. I can now make a toile that will reflect the actual shape of my body and alter my patterns accordingly.Prior to this purchase my dress form was almost completely flat at the back (I have buttocks!) and shoulder blades. I plumped up the décolleté area and voila a dress form that works! No more tops that are too tight or that show bra bulges. No more skirts that cup under my backside. Just a great fit.The directions are easy to read and very simple to follow. Each piece is labeled and the two covers are simple to distinguish as one has princess seams and the other does not. The real work comes from measuring ones body and placing the various pads to fit. The great thing is that if your weight goes up and down like mine does (I tend to put on a it between Thanksgiving and Easter, it comes off in the summer) the pads are easy to remove and reposition.A definite must have for anyone who is serious about sewing perfectly fitting garments.EDIT. I have truthfully reported how well this product works for me, however, I must add that it is designed just to fill out areas on your natural size. By this I mean that if you are a size ten then using these pads to take your dress form to a size sixteen will be very frustrating. Also, this method is not particularly great for my mom who is in her seventies because the body shape changes so much over time. The padding didn't work that well for her rounded shoulders nor around the bust area. The good news is that the company has additional pads available. I did decide, in the end to use the Couture Method of padding for Mum as shown in Claire Schaefer's book Couture Sewing.

I purchased a cheap-o dress form (http://www.joann.com/decorative-burlap-dress form--silver-polka-dot-print/14207997.html) during an epic sale at Joann. She has the typical flat ass of a standardized dress form, but I figured when pairing her with this system I'd spend less and have a more customized form than buying a finicky adjustable form.Hysteria* is a perfectly postured and perky-----35 / 28 / 35.5-----I am a-----32E/DD / 29 / 41-----with, as a good friend once told me, the "ass of a sista". (Two-dimensionally, my hips are only 1" wider than my shoulders; it's all in the boot.) Apologies for the tangent, but I am reminded of a line from the dearly missed show, Coupling, "Having a bottom is living with the enemy. Not only do they spend their lives slowly inflating, they flirt with men while we're looking the other way." Truer words, my friends.Note: For a better visual understanding of [my] bust as "E/DD" sounds porn-star-huge, I am 31.75 underbust, 36.75 bust, 35 overbust.If you're adding 4" to calculate bra size, STOP!! Volume-wise, my "fun bags" would theoretically sit well in a 36C. Of course, the band would ride up from looseness, my straps would repeatedly slip off my shoulders (sans "help" from the fiance), and the underwire would be too wide. And, in case it helps (which is doubtful due to the seemingly random nature of women's sizing), I usually wear an eight in both dresses and pants--though the cut of a brand's pants can make any size ill-fitting on me.The medium worked perfectly. The burlap of the original form actually worked quite well as it kept the foam from slipping when wrestling with the cover (not as bad as some said; the only difficult part was getting over the shoulders) and held the fleece batting by itself! I ended up using all 17 pieces save for two fillers (the kit contains one stomach pad, pairs of shoulder, side back, bust, side hip, upper hip, back hip, & thigh pads, and four filler pads contoured similarly as removable push-up bra pads). Despite using both the upper hip & back hip/buttock along with two filler pads in my coccyx-injury-buffer, the side back as my shoulder blades, and the thigh pads *way* low on the sides of my hips, I used the pads where originally intended. I also added a few flat strips of batting here and there to better define pudge and to pad out to my measurements (most notably in the belly and the front of the ribs).Hysteria is not exactly me (my shoulder blades are slightly less protruding, my bust should be a little wider--probably fixable, and my hips jut in at the front a bit more between belly and thigh--not fixable as I'd be cutting into the fiberglass of the form), but I highly doubt she could be any closer without spending $500++ for a custom form. I only noticed any wonkiness, some of which I've easily fixed already, when hanging my WiP wedding dress (almost done!), which I know fits me *perfectly*--ALWAYS make a muslin/mock-up first! ...then rip the seams apart, re-sew, rip, sew, rip, sew, rinse, repeat.It has been noted before, but I'll repeat: the two-paneled side-seam cover is the first layer when placing the pieces. The princess-lined cover (with a mildly finer knit and turtleneck) goes on top once done adjusting. I did need to stretch the knit to adjust where the princess seams fell, mostly for future use (e.g. bust point, etc.), but that was no biggie.I was hoping the included instructions offered hints or clues using both my and my form's measurements, but I didn't need one in the end. The "chart" many have referred to is just a form for entering my own measurements (i.e. neck, shoulder, over/full(/oddly no under) bust, various vertical points, waist, mid hip, hip, etc.). I would have otherwise included a photo of this magical and helpful chart.Although easily changeable and adjustable, I wouldn't recommend it for frequent changes (i.e. professionals with many clients) as it does take some time to place, measure, eyeball, adjust, rinse, repeat. For an individual who has gained or lost some weight over a year or two, no worries.*Although I originally intended my dress form to remain unnamed, I felt I should name her as I keep referring to her as "her". Amused by another naming her form "Sharona" (i.e. this is "my Sharona" LOL), my form's name rushed to mind when I thought about funny song puns. She after all is named after one of my favorite Muse songs.

BEFORE you ORDER...Remember you are ordering based on the Dressform COVERS, there are 2 in the package. One you cover your Dressform, then Pad it, then place the other cover over that for the Smoothed out version of the DressForm. You can pin into these pads, it isn't a smooth poke, but it is Poke/Pin able. I ordered Large for the Size 18 PGM DressForm. After padding, I thought I needed to wait for another pair of hands to help stretch the second cover over the pads, but stuck with it and did fine, but struggled. LOVE the fact I ordered down for my dressform. Each person has to do what is best for them.I think these are well designed for most body bulges. If you are heavier, then you will need Poofy Dacron, or Poofy Padding to go along with this Dress Form System. I am glad I bought it, and used most of the pieces along with Dacron. (for those that don't know ..Dacron is used in upholstery and stands up or lasts for years) Thin Quilt batting can be used as well, rolled for muffin tops as an example. I also had rubber foam pieces that I used in areas as well. What I wanted was the smoothing factor, and found that these leave it a little more lumpy in some places. That is where the Dacron smoothed it out. Some places the Dacron and the pads were too big and many adjustments had to be made for my Body Double. Finally got it, and love the results.Tips I did to keep it easy later on: I ordered the white covers.1. Bust: Lengthwise cut 2" Blue Painters tape and mark the Apex's to the shoulders. (It slightly shows thru both of the Covers and is easily visible) My Apex's are different than the Dressform. This will be so much easier when using my Dressform. It also will help with where my bra straps hit on me as well.2. Waist: Use the lengthwise cut Painters tape to mark your Waist on the Dressform if needed. I had to use a 2nd strip of tape on the first cover so it shows thru the last cover.3. Hips: Again the painters tape is great.I knew that if I only added the Painters Tape to the final cover that trying clothes on and off the Dressform would disturb the markings. No way around that.Hopefully this information will help others.

Makes adding size to my model , very easy

Wish there had been 2 sets of bust forms !!! All the other foam pieces are interchangeable but the one set of bust foams is limiting .

Good product. Does the job. Pricey. Arrived quickly.