How to make a mannequin with your own hands at home. Do-it-yourself mannequin according to the figure What you need for manufacturing

The most effective way to display clothes is to use mannequins. As practice shows, this helps to increase sales by several times, so every self-respecting entrepreneur orders such products. However, the production of mannequins is not only a costly exercise, but also quite laborious. Let's see how to set up your own business for the production of such products.

Some general information

The bottom line is that most quality mannequins are handcrafted, so you'll need a fair amount of staff to get started. But this is not all the nuances, because you are waiting for a large investment that will pay off depending on how your sales go. Currently, the market is already saturated with such offers, but most companies are foreign, so it is quite possible to open such a business at the local level, and this will bring good money.

As for the mannequins themselves, they are usually divided into two groups: male and female. Both sell well. Let's deal with each item in order, because in this case there are many pitfalls that you have to face.

Types of mannequins, or what can be produced?

As noted above, such products are divided into two large groups. But, in addition to this, they are usually divided according to form, purpose and other parameters. The most common are humanoids. Mannequins are naturalistic, stylized and profiled. The former are considered quite expensive and difficult to manufacture. The fact is that they completely create the impression of a living person. Hairstyles, makeup, nail color - all this is done by the designer by hand.

Profiled mannequins are remarkable in that they have a wide variety of poses. It can be both pregnant women and children, as well as pets and others. They are distinguished by high quality and, as a rule, complex manufacturing technology (seamless production).

You can also sell the so-called crash dummies, which are used to check the safety of the vehicle (simulation of an accident). There are also display forms that are used to display watches, hats and other accessories.

Making mannequins: part 1

Before you start making a mannequin, you need to make sketches on a computer using special software. In other words, a 3D model of a mannequin is created. At this stage, its appearance, dimensions, etc. are determined. A prototype of the matrix is ​​projected by the designer, and then molds are made for individual parts of the future product. Gypsum, fiberglass or special plasticine can be used as raw materials.

The sculptor begins to work, who manually sculpts the arms, torso, legs and other parts of the body. As a rule, about a hundred ready-made dummies are obtained from one matrix, however, their production can take about a year. At the end of the operation proceed to the practical part.

To get the finished product, plastic, polyester, as well as other materials such as fiberglass and gypsum are used. The most important thing is to get a durable and strong product, so fiberglass and polyester are most often used. Also, this design is relatively inexpensive and affordable for the consumer.

Production of mannequins: part 2

Now we have a prepared matrix, or rather, several of its parts. To connect the two parts, a high-strength adhesive material (liquid nails, etc.) is used. Next comes the process of drying the product for 60-80 minutes. After that, excess material and glue are removed, since the next step is grinding, and then puttying. Finally, final polishing is carried out. In principle, the mannequin is ready for painting.

It is advisable to use a special sprayer or car paint, as this allows you to get a quality surface. Eyes are drawn, eyelashes, hair and other details are made. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you can produce articulated mannequins that mimic human movements. On average, it takes a professional about 3-4 hours to make one unit of product.

Purchase of necessary equipment and raw materials

Let's take the production of fiberglass mannequins as an example. In this case, the production line will consist of several main units and auxiliary ones.

The most expensive piece of equipment is the extruder, which is used to mold parts of the mannequin. On average, such a machine can cost about 1,000,000 rubles. Also, you can not do without a mold, with the help of which different parts of the product are obtained. Such a device will cost 200,000 - 250,000 rubles.

As for auxiliary equipment, this is a compressor with a volume of 100 liters, its approximate cost is 30,000 rubles. Consumables will also be required. Firstly, it is advisable to buy a new tool - these are hammers, saws, knives and much more.

You also need to buy car paint, its price varies in a wide range, on average 500-1000 rubles per half liter. To set up the production of mannequins, we will also need polymer resin, at 60 rubles per liter, as well as fiberglass itself at 400 rubles per meter. Also, do not forget to purchase polyethylene at 30-40 rubles / kg.

Business payback and a little more about costs

In addition to the fact that you need to purchase the above equipment, since without it it is simply impossible to set up production, you need to invest about 100,000 rubles in the development of the matrix. It is worth noting that designing the manufacture of a high-quality matrix is ​​a laborious process, and takes about four months in time.

Having such a mannequin is the dream of every sewing lover. After all, thanks to him, you can engage in modeling clothes like a real designer. Create draperies, check the accuracy of patterns and fit while sewing, and you never know what else you need such a mannequin for!

Burda magazine suggests making such a mannequin as follows.

For work you will need:

Stuffing (you can use any material at hand),

Scissors with blunt ends

Metal leg-riser (for example, for a microphone or a tripod),

Wide electrical tape (adhesive tape, packaging adhesive tape),

Thick cardboard for the base of the mannequin,

An old hip-length T-shirt

Film for products (for the neck).

What to do - see the images below.

1. Put on a T-shirt (better if it is narrow). The T-shirt will be cut, so donate an item that is no longer needed to create a mannequin.

2. If your T-shirt does not have a stand-up collar, then protect the skin of the neck with food wrap.
3. Apply adhesive tape directly under the bust around the entire torso. Tighten the tape properly so that your future mannequin meets your measurements as accurately as possible.
4. In order not to tighten the chest, stick the tape on it crosswise. Start at the bottom of the left chest and stretch the tape diagonally across the inside of the chest to the right shoulder. Repeat the same on the right chest.
5. In this way, cover the entire surface of the chest with adhesive tapes.

6. After that, work horizontally. Stick the tapes parallel to each other. Apply 2-3 layers of tape to the front and back, stretching to give the mannequin stability.
7. Wrap the neck area again with cling film, then stick short strips of duct tape horizontally around the neck. Do not pull the adhesive tapes too tight here.
8. This is how the finished torso pasted over with ribbons looks in front and behind.

10. Mark the waist line according to your figure - this will help you later sew more accurately. To do this, lean a little to the side - where a fold appears on the material, make a point with a marker. Repeat the same on the other side. Connect these two points with a straight line.
11. Using scissors with blunt ends (medical, for cutting bandages, for example), cut the mannequin shell along the line of the middle of the back. Cut along with the t-shirt fabric.
12. Gently pull the mannequin shell forward, removing it very carefully so that it retains its shape.

13. Reattach the mannequin shell with short pieces of duct tape.
14. Seal the opening for the neck.
15. Seal both hand holes as well. Only after that you can start stuffing the mannequin.

16. Stuff the mannequin shell with artificial cotton, try to stuff the torso as tightly as possible, then it will be easier for you to work with pins later.
17. Place the torso on the cardboard, trace around the contour, cut out the base, cut a cross in the middle for threading the riser bar. Thread the rod into the mannequin, if necessary, additionally fix its position with adhesive tapes.

18. This is what a finished mannequin looks like, made to measure.

19. To make your mannequin pleasing to the eye, sew a suitable cover made of dense fabric on it. And enjoy your health!

In various fields of activity, one has to deal with artificial details that imitate parts of the body or the full figure of a person. In the sewing business, clothing trade, and hairdressing, such "visual aids" are used both as demonstration materials and as tools or devices for the convenience of work. If you do not need a large number of models or you need to create a thing of specific proportions, you can make a mannequin with your own hands.

A bit of history

The mannequin is an ancient human invention. Even in the Egyptian tombs, the first such products were found, repeating the figure of the ruler, complemented by a set of clothes. Similar imitations were also used to practice wrestling techniques. The wooden mannequin was widely used for forging the armor of warriors. As a subject of clothing demonstration in trade, it became popular later. Now the use of mannequins is very wide, and sometimes these "artificial people" not only have a complete external resemblance, but are also equipped with numerous sensors. They help in studying the consequences of possible injuries, developing safety systems, etc.

Areas of use of mannequins and their types

As already mentioned, these objects are used in many industrial and service areas of work. The most widely used and well-known are mannequins for clothes (its demonstration and sewing). In any store that sells dresses, blouses, coats, several models are necessarily presented on a plastic model. So the thing looks more spectacular and more natural, however, such products, as a rule, have average proportions with long legs, and the suit will sit a little differently on a real person.

A specific, but very popular among specialists, is a mannequin for boxing or other types of wrestling, which serves to practice both punches and kicks. These objects can either be suspended in the form of a pear containing a dense heavy filler or be a humanoid structure fixed on a rigid base using a spring mechanism.

Hairdressers use a mannequin head for hairstyles in their training and improvement of skills. A realistic three-dimensional tool allows you to work out all the operations - from styling and drying to creating complex compositions using special tools.

What are mannequins for clothes

Classify these objects in terms of their appearance and who they depict. The first grouping is as follows:

• Natural.
• Stylized.
• Abstract.

The former involve full detailing of the body and face, the use of hair and eyelashes. The second ones are performed in a simplified way, without working out small elements. Wigs are usually replaced with plastic hair made in one piece with the figure. Abstract ones are generally made even from geometric shapes with the overall preservation of human proportions. Each option can be a mannequin for women, men or children. Specialized figures of pregnant women and individual elements of the body (heads for hats, legs for displaying trousers) are also produced.

Any of the mannequins, especially naturalistic ones, can be used not only in retail outlets, but also at home as a hanger or interior decor element. Similar figures, very similar to living people, are used in cafes or restaurants as decoration.

Types of tailor's mannequins

The main task of these assistants is to ensure the convenience of work. They are used for fitting, fitting, as well as ironing and steaming finished products. For individual tailoring and large productions, various types of figures may be required, both female and male, children's, teenage.

The mannequin is very handy. It allows you to adjust the size of individual elements within certain limits (chest girth, height from shoulder to waistline, etc.). This option is good for small production. Enterprises often use fixed structures designed for tailoring a specific size. There are also special trouser and skirt mannequins.

Structures are hard and soft. The latter are more convenient, as they allow you to work freely with pins, and the upper part of the neck is used as a needle. Differences also exist in the support material. It can be metal, wooden, stationary or mobile. In a word, the choice is great. Everyone should choose the appropriate option based on their own requirements.

The convenience of tailor-made mannequins

If you sew to order or for a family, then you know that fitting is constantly required in the process of work, and some steps are best done right on the person. However, this is not always possible. One cannot be done on oneself, the other takes too much time, and, for example, children generally cannot stand in one place for a long time.

If you specialize in tailoring for women, then you should buy a mannequin. The sliding version is best suited if your clients do not differ much in proportions. However, if there is someone with specific non-standard forms, it is worth either modifying an existing design or making a unique mannequin. The tailor's version should not only follow the contours of the model's body, but also be convenient for work. In the process of trying on the product, you have to use pins, fasten the parts with a basting thread, so the design must be both strong and soft at the same time.

If you are working with a limited number of faces, but everyone has completely different proportions, it is worth considering creating individual mannequins with your own hands. This is true for a dressmaker who sews for herself, her family or her closest acquaintances. Buying professional sewing mannequins will be quite expensive, but making your own is not too difficult and less expensive.

Execution technologies

There are many ways to make a mannequin for women, men or children. The options are similar in many ways, but different materials and fixtures are used. It also takes a different amount of time to complete. The meaning of work for all methods is the same - to get an exact copy of the body of the model. You will have to do the work together. One cannot cope. The two options will be discussed in detail below. In the first case, the sewing mannequin will be made of adhesive tape and a T-shirt using arbitrary filler, in the second case, plaster bandages and polyurethane foam will be used.

To perform the fastening, you will need: a hanger (shoulders), a hook, a cardboard tube or a shovel handle, a rigid base, for example, a cross for a Christmas tree or the lower part of an office chair, then the mannequin will also be convenient to move. When choosing a manufacturing method, focus on the materials available or the convenience of work from your point of view.

Precautionary measures

Before you start making a mannequin with your own hands, you should seriously prepare yourself or the model for this process. The work can take several hours, and most of the time will have to be spent in a tight-fitting "shell" and in a relatively motionless position, that is, you will not be able to sit or lie down. In addition, the body will be wrapped with adhesive tape or cling film, which means that air access to the skin will be limited, which will also make it difficult to breathe fully, so it’s worth working in a cool, ventilated room, and wrapping should be done from the bottom up so that the lungs, heart and the neck was under the "shell" for less time.

If you are going to make a mannequin for a girl or a guy, you can choose any manufacturing method. For children or older people, a T-shirt option is better, since plaster bandages dry (harden) for a long time, and their weight is very noticeable on the body, especially if you put them in several layers.

Materials and tools

To make a sewing mannequin, you will need the following:

• Cling film or large plastic bags.
• T-shirt or plaster bandages from the pharmacy.
• Adhesive tape (stationery or construction).
• Plumb or level for marking.
• Scissors or knife.
• Wire corresponding to the perimeter of the bottom of the mannequin.
• Marker.
• Thick cardboard (corrugated) for the manufacture of the bottom.
• Paraffin (candle) in the version of working with plaster bandages.
• Hangers or hook from a hanger.
• A pipe from a roll of fabric (you can ask at the store) or a handle from a shovel.
• Crosspiece, as for a Christmas tree, or the lower part of an office chair.
• Filler (holofiber or polyurethane foam).
• Construction gun for foam and means for washing it.
• Sandpaper and putty to smooth the surface of the foam mannequin.
• Paper and PVA glue.
• Sintepon or batting to cover the workpiece and possible shape adjustments.
• Stretchy knitwear as a finishing touch.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated. Most houses already have everything, if a woman sews, and a man dealt with repairs in an apartment. The option with a T-shirt and filler is easier to perform. It will take less materials and time, but a mannequin made of foam in a plaster mold will be stronger and better. Any of the methods will cost less than buying a ready-made mannequin, and most importantly, it will be an ideal copy of a particular person.

Do-it-yourself clothing mannequin from adhesive tape

So, let's start with a simpler version, made using a regular cotton T-shirt. Use the old unnecessary, as the fabric will remain "walled up", acting as a base.

As for the length, it can be up to the hips, but it is better to take a longer one so that it can be pinned between the legs. This will fix the fabric on the body. And also prevent it from shifting up during operation.

To make mannequins for clothes in the first way, you need to follow these steps:

Now you can fix the structure on the cross and start using it.

Manufacturing technology from polyurethane foam

If you decide to make a mannequin with your own hands in the second way, the work steps are largely similar, so the recommendations here will be more concise. So, you need to do the following:

You have learned how to make a mannequin in two ways. Choose the option you like. Both methods are easy. You can add any of them and improve the technology at your discretion.

Companion to fight

The simplest boxing mannequin can be easily built in your country house. To do this, it is enough to firmly fix the base with a spring from an automobile shock absorber in the ground. Install a stick in it (part of the handle from a shovel), and build a semblance of a human torso from a bag or something similar, filled with sawdust, for example. This option will not only be easy to manufacture, but also convenient to use.

Baby Hair Mannequin: Play and Learn

Every little princess loves to play with dolls and braid them. Now there are a lot of opportunities for children's creativity: you can buy books or download instructions for performing various hairstyles. This activity is useful not only from an aesthetic point of view. It helps to develop fine motor skills, which favorably affects the development of the child. So that during such a game mother's hair or expensive dolls do not suffer, you can make a special mannequin for hairstyles. In this case, the girl will be able to weave her beauties as many times as she likes, and if the allowance is spoiled, it is easy to do it again. Even the process of making a mannequin is easy to turn into an exciting entertaining process.

How to make a head layout for girls to make braids

The easiest option is to make a flat profile with yarn hair. For this you will need the following:

• Thick cardboard or plastic.
• Pencil.
• Utility knife or scissors.
• Awl.
• Threads.

The head-mannequin for hairstyles is performed as follows:

1. Draw a head profile on the cardboard base. If you are afraid to make a mistake with the proportions and get a completely unrealistic image, print the finished picture in the scale you need and trace the outline of the cut profile on your base.
2. Cut out the piece.
3. Along the line of the head where the hair will be, make holes with an awl at a small distance from the edge. You can perform them in one row or several. Choose at your discretion.
4. Take the yarn and cut it into threads of the same length that suits you. Keep in mind that the threads will fold in half, so you will have to harvest pieces of double size. To do this step quickly, take a rectangular sheet of cardboard and wind yarn around it, and then cut along one of the sides. The preparations have been completed.
5. Take a "bundle" of threads and pass through the first hole. To secure them, make a knot or thread them immediately folded in half, and then thread one end through the loop obtained from the other end.
6. Fill all holes in the same way.
7. If you want, you can decorate the resulting head with eyes, lips, make models "make-up".

Everything is ready. The girl will calmly engage in weaving braids. For greater realism, the blank can be easily made from cardboard, painted to match the skin tone. Or even make relief details from papier-mâché.

So, you have learned how to easily and quickly make a mannequin with your own hands. Now you can easily try on in the absence of a model, take a girl with braids or make a wrestling partner for a boy.

The best dress is the one that fits your figure perfectly and is not so easy to achieve. We would be helped by a mannequin on a figure. Our master class will tell you how to make an individual mannequin with your own hands from available materials.

Mannequin according to the figure: preparation for the project

Today in stores you can find mannequins for any size, even adjustable. The most affordable mannequins are fixed size mannequins. They are hard and soft. But none of these mannequins will be able to exactly repeat your figure, as they are made according to GOST sizes.

An alternative option is a sliding tailor's mannequin. On such a model, it will be possible to set the required measurements along the line of the chest, hips and waist. But from the minuses of this design, one can single out: fragility and not a perfect match of the silhouette. It would be great to have a maximum copy of your figure and use it for fittings. But a real mannequin is expensive, let's make our own?

You will need:

• Scissors
• Long skinny T-shirt
• 2-3 rolls of tape (adhesive tape)
• Filler for pillows or blankets, such as sintapon
• piece of cardboard
• Food wrap (for the neck)
• metal rack

Put on a T-shirt, it should fit the figure as in the photo. Wrap your neck in cling film for protection.

Ask a friend to help wrap your figure with tape. Wrap it under your bust first, pretty tight. Then cross the tape as in the photo.

Finish the job by gluing the bottom of the cardboard. Place the mannequin on the metal stand.

As a stand, you can use, for example, a leg from a floor lamp.

Mannequins may differ from each other in size, the degree of similarity with the natural figures of people, but above all, it is precisely such distinctive features of a particular figure that allow you to work comfortably on it.

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

Types

• Having a fixed size. It corresponds to a certain type and size. It is made in accordance with all GOST standards. It is considered a standard type of product;
• Sliding. You can adjust its parameters according to the specified dimensions;
• 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 somewhat different from the typical ones, then select the one that most closely matches yours. The parameters of different parts may differ 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 problems.

At the same time, a special cover is put on it. It is easy to remove and wash when needed.

Selection rules

Choice according to the following parameters:

• Case. It is one of the important parameters indicating the quality of the product. Many manufacturers use cotton materials for covering. They do not slip, they do not leave traces of punctures, and they are also easy to clean. But the price of such products is appropriate. At the same time, cheaper options are covered with synthetic knitted material. Most often, the fabric can be either black or light in color. Expensive models may have a case made of designer fabric or velvet. When buying a mannequin for work, it is better to choose one that has base lines on the surface.
• Stand. Some do not take into account this detail, but this is erroneous. The stability of the figure depends on the stand. Be sure to check this option when choosing. Wooden tripod stands are fragile and often break. It is better to choose a product made of metal. The product also needs constant movement, so the presence of removable wheels is only a plus.
• Height adjustment. To work comfortably, the seamstress must be able to set the desired height of the figure. Therefore, the presence of height adjustment is an additional plus.
• Ease of putting on. There are soft fabric mannequins that can be worn with non-stretch garments. Some tailored clothing can be difficult to pull on.
• Carrying out ironing on a mannequin. Sometimes you just need to steam and iron clothes right 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 can withstand high temperatures.
• Addition of a figure with legs. This may be necessary 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 with it there will be more opportunities to sew various products.
• Skirt hem device. See if there is a device in the kit that folds the bottom of the clothes. Then you can easily align the bottom line of the products, and you can also fix the hem with pins. It should be noted that if the selected mannequin model is not equipped with such an add-on, it can be purchased separately.

There are manufacturers who offer the production of a fixed mannequin according to your individual measurements. Then you will have a product that exactly repeats all your parameters. In this case, you will not even have to measure clothes for yourself. Everything will fit perfectly on you. Of course, in this case you will have to pay a considerable amount, the price of this type is significantly different from the standard one.

It is worth noting that there are models that use elastic polymer materials. They are not affected by moisture. Therefore, they can use the sculpting method.

Choosing a sewing mannequin is not so difficult. It is important to consider several important nuances. Wherein pay attention not only to the basis of the product, but also on other details that are no less important. A case, stand and additional features will help you choose a quality product that will serve you for a long time.

Material

As for the material from which the figure is made, there are 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 they fall, you can’t steam and iron things on them, you can’t stick a pin into them, which excludes work by tattooing. Their main advantage is their low price, which in no way compensates for the inconvenience associated with their use.

Covering hard mannequins with a dense fabric does not greatly improve the performance of these products, although a number of manufacturers refer to them as soft for marketing purposes. Pins can be attached to such a product, but it is impossible, for example, to fix a marking tape on it, you cannot steam and iron the item being made.

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

A soft mannequin is great for using the tattooing method when making a model. Patterns are easily and securely attached, in addition, pins can be stuck into the figure, which is very convenient for placing marking tapes.

Flaws

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

• the presence of cracks, which is especially noticeable when moving parts apart to increase their size;
• increases evenly, that is, when the size is changed upwards, the thickness of the neck and shoulder becomes extremely disproportionate;
• mechanisms that provide dimensional change often become loose and break. When steaming, the metal parts of these mechanisms can rust;
• relatively high price.

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

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

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

A comfortable 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 raising the level, an indicator of a professional attitude towards tailoring.

Video