The best couture mannequins in the UK 2023

If like most fashion designers, you would like to use the draping technique to design your clothes, you will need a sewing dummy. To find the best sewing dummy models on the market, we invite you to read this buying guide. You will find the best products, selection criteria, tips and more.

VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman 1
8/10

Best value for money

VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman

The best sewing mannequin in 2021

This sewing mannequin is ideal for fashion students, designers, amateur sewers, tailors and clothing stores. It allows to display textile and clothing pieces.

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Here you have a height adjustable sewing dummy, from 133 to 168 cm. It is anti-static, which means that its various adjustment options can reasonably meet all your needs. The 100% polyester torso is mounted on an MDF tripod stand. The thistle top and post cover are made of solid wood, and the post itself is made of painted steel.

This VidaXl sewing mannequin remains fixed. It displays the following dimensions: the shoulder width of the bust measures 37 cm, the chest 84 cm, the waist 67 cm, the hip 90 cm. The height of the torso is 67 cm and the height of the neck 8.5 cm. The only problem with this sewing dummy is that it does not have a cover that comes with it. Apart from that, the dummy can be used as an interior decoration thanks to its black and white pattern.

PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal 2
8/10

Best value for money

PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal

The best entry-level sewing mannequin

This sewing dummy is made of antique brown steel. It is adjustable in height to about 112-160 cm and continuous. This mannequin can also be used as an interior decoration for a store or a window display.

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This adjustable metal sewing dummy from PrimoLiving is as useful as it is stylish. It has a vintage/shabby chic design that can make it a perfect decorative accessory for your store, sewing room, or even your living room. The small irregularities and imperfections in the metal are intentional and entirely part of the vintage chic style.

This mannequin with an antique look is adjustable in height. The length of the body is about 63 cm, the depth is about 22 cm, the width of the shoulders is about 34 cm, the chest size is about 86 cm. Then there is the waist circumference is about 55 cm and the circumference of the hem about 83 cm. The mannequin is light, but this does not mean that it is unstable. On the contrary, the tripod feet of the mannequin provide great stability, which allows you to work very well without difficulty.

Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel 3
9/10

Best high end

Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel

The best high-end sewing mannequin

This Eurotondisplay sewing mannequin is mounted on a dark wood stand. It is an upper body with head, arms and finger in wood. You can adjust it as you wish and its covering is made of linen.

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The characteristics of this sewing mannequin are as follows. The height of the torso with head is 92 cm, the width of the shoulders is 45 cm, the chest circumference is 93 cm, the waist circumference is 83 cm, the hip circumference is 99 cm and the height varies from 140 to 180 cm. You can put on pants and its head is removable. Moreover, the upper body and the head are protected by linen. Moreover, the quality fiberglass torso cannot be perforated.

The tripod support makes it stable and able to withstand long term work. The arms of this dummy can be removed and replaced as needed. This sewing mannequin is designed for fashion professionals, but it can also be used by beginners. The design does not allow it to become a decorative object.

VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin 4
7/10

Alternative choice

VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin

The best alternative

This VidaXL cotton woman's bust is easy to assemble, lightweight and very pretty. It is very suitable for everyday use. Its elegant rose design makes it famous among fashion design students.

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The mannequin is stabilized by a solid wooden tripod support. The pole is made of painted steel and the thistle top is made of solid wood. The material of the bust is 100% cotton. It represents a cross shoulder of 37 cm, a chest of 84 cm, a waist of 67 cm and a hip of 90 cm. This standard size mannequin can produce an almost flawless garment. In addition, it adjusts in height to about 133 - 168 cm, which will allow you to work with ease.

In addition, it has a torso height of 67 cm and a neck height of 8.5 cm. This sewing dummy is ideal for beginners in the world of sewing, for students, but also for professionals. It can also be used as a decoration tool especially for those who like garden color flower patterns.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best sewing dummy

Any specific needs?

The best sewing mannequin in 2021

The best entry-level sewing mannequin

The best high-end sewing mannequin

The best alternative

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best couture mannequins

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE ALTERNATIVE
VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman 5
8/10
PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal 6
8/10
Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel 7
9/10
VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman
PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal
Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel
VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin
This sewing mannequin is ideal for fashion students, designers, amateur sewers, tailors and clothing stores. It allows to display textile and clothing pieces.
This sewing dummy is made of antique brown steel. It is adjustable in height to about 112-160 cm and continuous. This mannequin can also be used as an interior decoration for a store or a window display.
This Eurotondisplay sewing mannequin is mounted on a dark wood stand. It is an upper body with head, arms and finger in wood. You can adjust it as you wish and its covering is made of linen.
This VidaXL cotton woman's bust is easy to assemble, lightweight and very pretty. It is very suitable for everyday use. Its elegant rose design makes it famous among fashion design students.
Sizes 36-38
Metal with vintage/shabby chic design
Professional sewing mannequin
Tripod stand
Adjustable in height
Adjustable in height
Arm can be removed at will
Beautiful rose shapes and patterns
100% polyester and very decorative
Can become an interior decor
Presence of removable head and can be dressed with pants
100% cotton material

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - sewing dummy

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How to choose your sewing dummy

#1 - Stability

So make sure that the mannequin legs are made of 3 or 4 legs or castor with heavier metal, because plastic is light and fragile. If the sewing dummy is not stable, then it will be very difficult to work with. A dummy that does not have stability will have a major impact in your design. Therefore, the dummy should have a solid, thick and wide foot. Mannequins with tiny feet are fragile. As soon as you get close to them, the mannequin could wobble or even fall off.

#2 - The size

It is crucial in choosing the sewing mannequin. First, because the dummy must be at your height so that your back or neck does not suffer. Second, if you need the sewing dummy for your own needs, choose a dummy that is closest to your measurements. This will help you to materialize your measurements that you have in memory. On the other hand, if your need is for professional purposes, then choose a sewing dummy of standardized size, more precisely an adjustable dummy, this will allow you to access several types of size.

#3 - The material

You have to consider the material used for the sewing dummy. Indeed, the primary use of this dummy is to be a support to first design a pattern before any finishing. For this, it is important that you can put pins on it. A plastic sewing dummy does not allow you to stick pins deep into it, unlike a cardboard or fabric dummy. Also remember to check that the fabric of the sewing dummy is of good quality and that it is tight.

Good to know

It is important to understand that window mannequins are not mannequins for sewing clothes.

#4 - The setting

This

criterion is especially applied when you are looking for an adjustable sewing dummy. Make sure there are several adjustment knobs. The sewing dummy should, first of all, adjust in height to put it right at your height and thus help you calculate your hems properly. It should also have a minimum of 12 knobs: 1 in front, 1 on each side and 1 behind for the chest, waist and hips.

How do you keep a sewing dummy clean?

Typically, a sewing dummy is covered with a tightly stretched fabric to protect the materials they are made of. Since they are intended to be pinned, sewing dummies have "soft" materials, which can easily absorb dirt.

Thus, the first tip to offer is to keep your hands clean when handling the dummy. When your hands are dirty, they can get all over the dummy and this could transfer to the fabric you will be handling afterwards.

The second tip is to use a washable cover to cover the dummy. But be careful, the cover should not be too thick, because it could give you difficulties when you work. The cover will protect the dummy from dust and keep the dummy clean. When you take the cover off to wash it, the dummy stays clean.

The different types of couture mannequins

Fixed sewing dummies

This looks more like an entry-level mannequin for beginners and fashion students. As the name implies, you can't adjust any part of the fixed shape mannequin, either to enlarge or compress it as needed for a fit. Also, the measurements are fairly standard in the industry, so you may need to keep felt strips or foam pads on hand to cover the mannequin's waist, hips or bust, as appropriate.

In addition to its use for draping or fitting garments, the fixed-form sewing mannequin is useful for displaying ready-made garments in your studio for people to enjoy, for photo shoots, and for fashion blogs.

Adjustable sewing dummies

This

type goes up a notch in structure and advantage over the fixed sewing mannequin. You can change the size of the mannequin, by turning the dial or stitches to adjust for fluctuations in body weight or shape. So if you (or your client for that matter) tend to lose or gain weight easily, you will need a dummy that can accommodate such changes, the adjustable sewing dummy is for you.

In addition, this adjustable mannequin adjusts to several sizes with knobs or buttons: they enlarge or shrink the chest, waist and hip size. If you buy a mannequin in size 38, you can make clothes up to 42. In addition, with this type of mannequin, you have 3 levels of adjustment, located at the chest, waist and hips, and each with 4 knobs.

Professional sewing mannequins

First of all, the professional sewing mannequin is made for high fashion designers, whose work requires the utmost attention to detail and perfect finishing of garments. Although not adjustable like the adjustable sewing dummy, professional dummies can be pinned and also come with detachable arms and legs for finer, flawless adjustments. They are attached at the waist and their measurements are very close to the natural body shape. This closeness results in garments that are more likely to be flawless.

Sewing mannequin or window mannequin?

Sewing dummy

A sewing mannequin is a three-dimensional model of the torso used to adjust garments during design or sewing. When making a garment, it can be put on the dress form so that the fit and drape of the garment can be seen as it would appear on a body, and adjustments or modifications can be made.

Sewing dummies come in all sizes and shapes for almost any garment that can be made. Sewing dummies in standard garment sizes are used to create ready-to-wear garments. While adjustable sewing dummies allow garments to be adjusted to fit a specific person.

Display mannequin

Mannequins in storefronts display trends according to fashionable body ideals. They are mainly used to display new arrivals, the season's highlights, etc.

Verdict

Thus, window mannequins are specially used to display garments for sale or garments for display. Generally, they are made from sturdy plastic or inflatable plastic. If you are looking for a mannequin to help you with your sewing, this one will not do: you will need a sewing mannequin.

Tips

First, define the purpose of the dummy

Personal or professional use? Before you run out to buy your sewing dummy, first define the purpose. It is important to do so, because if the dummy is for personal use, it should look like you to within one measurement so that the work is easy. Otherwise, you have to look for standard models. So this step is very important.

Make sure that the measurements of your mannequins correspond to your needs

You

are a designer with the intention of marketing your masterpieces or you are an enthusiast who wants to be known by a small number of people? No matter, a sewing mannequin holds an important role in the design of your new clothes, whether it is dedicated to the trade or not. So, make sure that when you buy your mannequin the measurements correspond well to your needs so that you don't end up with clothes out of the norm.

Opt for adjustable sewing dummies to save money

In

fact, sewing mannequins are expensive. To get rid of several mannequin purchases therefore, opt for the adjustable sewing mannequins. There are several types, but buying one with 12 knurls is already good. This way, instead of buying dummies with 12 different measurements, you can have it in one dummy. It might be a little more expensive than the non-adjustable sewing dummies, but you'll save space, and time.

Make sure your mannequins are stable

Sewing dummies are used as a medium to create the foundation for a future garment. To do this, it must be stable so that the measurements brought to the garments are approximately accurate. This point is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises. Thus, it is essential to check the stability of the mannequin as soon as you buy it.

Don't forget to check the size of the mannequin

Even

if the dummy is already adjustable (with its 12 knobs), always check the size of your sewing dummy. This step is also important especially for professional use, as the size of your garments will depend on these dummies. In general, standard mannequin sizes range from 36 to 40 and 42 to 48.

FAQ

What is the best sewing model?

The best sewing dummy depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.

What is the purpose of a sewing dummy?

When creating a pattern or throughout the sewing process, a sewing dummy is very useful to help pattern makers form fabric into garments using the technique known as "moulding". The fabric is moulded around the dummy to take the shape of a human body, this is the first stage of pattern making. Then the moulded fabric is taken back and sewn. Then, the pattern obtained is put back a second time and checked as it goes along to obtain the sewing of a desired garment. In all stages of sewing, a sewing dummy is the support that helps the pattern maker to remember the shape of the person to whom the garment will be dedicated. It will also help the pattern maker to see whether or not any finishing touches need to be made when finishing the garment.

What size mannequin should I choose?

In general, the size of a sewing dummy does not matter and it depends on your needs. But to stay within the norm, in case it is for personal use, choose a dummy that is as close to your measurement as possible to make the work for you easier. In case it is for professional use, go for a standard size sewing dummy. This will help you with the different sizes of your customers.

What is a sewing mannequin?

A sewing mannequin is simply a clothing form that mimics the shape of the human body in realistic proportions and is commonly used to display clothing.

What is the most famous couture model brand?

This is the Stockmann brand, which is used by all French fashion houses and luxury brands. The reason is that the mannequins of this brand are handmade in papier-mâché and are covered in easy-to-pin canvas. Moreover, the morphology of the couture mannequins of this brand is consistent with the human body. We did not propose any in our selection for lack of available stock.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , sewmucheasier.com
  2. , theshopcompany.com
  3. , mannequinmadness.com
  4. , sewingchanelstyle.com
  5. , threadsmagazine.com
  6. , cashmerette.com
  7. , instructables.com
  8. , seway.com
  9. , designmycostume.com
  10. , coutureo.fr
  11. , mondialtissus.fr
  12. , mercerie-durand.com
  13. , mapetitemercerie.com
  14. , amazon.co.uk
  15. , amazon.co.uk
  16. , laredoute.fr
  17. , stockmanparis.fr
  18. , ebay.fr
  19. , lucetteetsuzette.fr
  20. , amazon.ca
  21. , hamon-paris.com
  22. , leboncoin.fr
  23. , creavea.com
  24. , patroncouture.fr
  25. , cdiscount.com
  26. , mademoisellemilou.blogspot.com
  27. , couturedebutant.fr
  28. , etsy.com
  29. , canevas.com
  30. , mapetitemercerie.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman 9
VidaXL- Sewing mannequin bust woman
PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal 10
PrimoLiving - Mannequin de couture en métal
Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel 11
Eurotondisplay - Mannequin de couture professionnel
VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin 12
VidaXL - Mannequin de Couture Féminin

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