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Threads eLetter

Decorative Dress-Form Covers

Shirley Botsford has created dress-form covers out of velvet and brocade to display her one-of-a-kind garments

by Jennifer Sauer

Recently I visited Shirley at Botsford Briar, a.k.a. "The Stitch Inn," a retreat and getaway spot for quilters and sewers in Beacon, N.Y. And I simply fell in love with her fancy dress-form covers. Shirley uses evening specialty and home decorator fabrics (velvet, moire, satin, tapestry or brocade) to transform her working, industrial dress forms into decorative accents to be presented front and center.
The process couldn't be easier. Shirley simply drapes muslin on her form, copying the seamlines exactly, then leaves enough for a hem at the top and lower edges. She cuts a generous allowance around the arm plate, unscrews the arm plate, neatly tucks under the raw edge, then screws the arm-plate opening back in place. Finally, she creates a 1-in. overlap at center back for an easy-on, easy-off Velcro closure (see the photo at right). To cover forms without seams to copy, you can simply create vertical seamlines at centers, sides and from shoulders to hem over bust points and shoulder blades, plus a neckline seam at the base of the neck.

Dress-form covers also have functional possibilities. Shirley recommends lining a cover with batting to bump your form up a size and allow an easier surface to pin into. You can also quilt or stitch style- or gridlines to assist with draping and alterations.

For more information on these special covers, please contact: Shirley Botsford, Botsford Briar, 19 High St., Beacon, NY 12508; 845-831-6099.

Jennifer Sauer is an associate editor for Threads.

Photos: David Page Coffin

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