Reddit mentions: The best sewing dress forms & mannequins

No! Resist! I am going to school for design and I bought one very similar to this one. You cannot use it for draping. If it is adjusted to any size other than the smallest setting you cannot pin due to the gaps on the sides. Also, in the real sewing world there are specific sizes that you use 0,2,4,6,..... etc. Yes, it is AWESOME to have things custom to the person you are making the garment for, but you need to know that there is a pretty regulated sizing standard that will be used and it might be a good idea just to get one off of amazon. You may want to look at a dress form that has collapsible shoulders, that way you can get the garment over the shoulders of the form (collapsible shoulders mimic putting the arms above the head).
When I had my Singer dress form it broke. Not because I am reckless, but because there are metal spoke like things that bare a lot of tension and they connect to a thin plastic base. These broke off leaving the adjustments useless. Also the fabric ripped on my dress form (crappy foam and fabric on top), and the form would actually slide down when ever I adjusted it to the height I desired.
Again, I sugest that you get a different kind. One that has a foot pedal adjustment, that is in a standard size, has collapsible shoulders, and is covered in nicer fabric.
Now remember, if you go with a nicer one they are usually made of paper mache on the inside, be careful around water. Now for the plastic ones, you need to be careful with irons, they may melt because of the synthetic fabric on the form. And lastly standard size dressforms may be different than the size jeans that you wear. I always have to go a size or two up, just like most patterns. I suggest that you chose the best size that you want and you understand the measurements of that particular form.
That is all! I have been through a similar situation, spending $100 dollars on a piece of crap that will last you 2 years is not going to help you in the long run. Paying $200 for a dressform that will last you for a long time depending on how you take care of it, will actually end up saving you money.
Also, I know you are on a budget, but if you hem things, take things in on the side, make wallets, and charge $10 for each thing, if you get 10 things done you will have $100! Huzzah! You can afford a new dress form! All you have to do is make the time and it will be worth your money :)

This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/ST-SIZE6-Professional-Female-Collapsible-shoulder/dp/B0049IPGR6/ref=sr_1_28?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1348639289&sr=1-28
Good luck!

Everything TheItinerantSkeptic said! My few add ons....

1. Lighting is key. You want to make sure the color matches as closely to the actual item otherwise you risk the buyer opening a case about item description. I only use natural light and I use an iPhone so I adjust the coloring with the phone's built-in photo editor. IMO never use flash!
   
   
2. I purchased a mannequin from Amazon and it was the best $40 I ever spent for Posh. The one I have is on sale right now, the link is here I noticed that I started moving more clothing & had less questions about fit when I had them on a mannequin so it might be worth buying. I also always list the measurements of the garment in the description again, to avoid a case being opened about fit.
   
   The only other things I would add...
   

• Be as accurate as you can with your description. Adjectives are your friend. Call out any flaws no matter how minor they may be.
  
• Keep on top of buyer's questions and be prompt & courteous in your responses.
  
• Don't get hung up on ratings. While of course we all want to only ever get glowing 5-star reviews, there are some people out there that will dock you for the smallest thing so if someone does, just carry on.
  
  Happy Poshing!
  
  

Your closet looks like it has a lot of nice items! I will echo other posters in saying that you might want to look into a solid color background. Use flat lays for bottoms and maybe invest in a dress form for your other items (tops, dresses, skirts, etc.). Otherwise, hanging items for photos will also look nice!

Here is an inexpensive dress form I recently purchased on Amazon (will be taking photos on mine when I am back from vacation): Bonnlo Female Dress Form Pinnable Mannequin Body Torso with Wooden Tripod Base Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072VHZJBX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q3frDbT0EH9Z0

My Poshmark handle is the same as my UN here! Happy Poshing!

You have a unique closet with lots of great valuable pieces. It's worth it for you to invest in some equipment. Lightweight box and dress form would drastically improve your photos and presentation. You can purchase both for $100 on Amazon.

For your jewelry, I'd buy neutral color jewelry display stands. Personally black doesn't photo well.

I'll do some digging around and edit with links to what example of what I'm talking about. Keep in mind, after you finish selling your stuff (if Poshmark hasnt become habit forming) and if youre done with Poshmark you can always sell your equipment on Ebay. You have high-end unique items that will sell, and professional equipment will speed up the process.

edit:

Jewerly Supplies

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jewelry-Display-Storage-Mannequin-Necklace-Bracelet-Watch-Stand-Holder-16-Kinds/172994771570?hash=item28474aba72:m:muw3aBw2N5WY3Z8YFbBxLzw

Small box for photos -- jewelry and shoes etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Jewellery-Photography-Shooting-Backdrops/dp/B078ZT9L9F/ref=pd_sbs_421_4/130-8055746-7930327?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B078ZT9L9F&pd_rd_r=034f5813-72d6-11e9-a70e-fdfd69152f1b&pd_rd_w=K3SxU&pd_rd_wg=Yadx3&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=V72S5QS2V6DW9H5CW7P6&psc=1&refRID=V72S5QS2V6DW9H5CW7P6

Set of softbox lights

https://www.amazon.com/ESDDI-Photography-Continuous-Equipment-Portraits/dp/B015DYIQ94/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=lightbox+photography&qid=1557460179&rnid=2941120011&s=electronics&sr=1-4

Dress form

https://www.amazon.com/Bonnlo-Female-Pinnable-Mannequin-Wooden/dp/B072VHFBSJ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=dress+form&qid=1557460275&s=photo&sr=8-2

You're definitely not wasting time on how you display your clothing. I hated my torso mannequin (open back), and bought a half torso full mannequin on a stand from Amazon. I paid around $70, and it's a size small. I'm able to put XL clothes on it without it looking frumpy.

White Female Mannequin Dress Form Size 2-4 Small 33" 24" 34" (On Maple Tripod Stand) (French Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B9KDN6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_c.0lyb3G7BPTM

With jeans and shorts, I do the same thing you do. I have a set of nice wooden hangers I use, with a small hook on the wall to hang it from. For all of my photos, I have a roll of background paper attached to the wall with push pins.

Ella Bella Photography Backdrop Paper, 4x12-feet, Vintage Wood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZN4KLW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_H.0lybRESHRX9

For taking pictures, I use my iPhone. I have a nice DSLR, but it's a PITA to upload pictures and then manually add them to listings. Plus, image resolution is diminished when you upload to eBay. As long as you are getting the right lighting and have a newer phone, I think it's the way to go. I do all of my listings on my computer and save as drafts, then upload pictures / publish listings through the app. Sometimes I do it in reverse and start a listing with just a title and pictures from my phone, and then finish the rest from my computer. Only downside is that you're limited on how many drafts you can have saved at once, and you can't really touch up photos on the eBay app.

Here's a question for you - I've been trying to find the best technique / method to prepping my listings. Right now I do everything in bulk (pictures, measurements). What's your process like?

For reference, I ordered this one off Amazon. Literally THE cheapest one I could find, even with shipping. It looks shockingly good and was really easy to put together. I'm actually EXCITED to take pictures right now!

My two cents: Everybody I know who has purchased a cheap dress form has come to regret it, or say that they never get any use out of it because it is unstable, the dials get in the way, it doesn't easily hold pins, etc.

I've never heard anybody say, "Hey I really regret that evening I spent making a duct tape dress form!" Actually I have heard a few people say that they like their duct tape dress forms. So if you have a low budget, there's really not any harm that can come from attempting to make your own! You could end up loving it, and the worst case is that you decide you'd rather purchase one instead.

I have been a craft/hobby sewer since 2005, and finally took the dress form plunge this spring by buying this dress form on Amazon. The downside is that she is not adjustable, but I know that you can give certain areas padding to make sure that you get a proper fit if you need to (my bust matches the form's measurements but not my waist!) But for me, exact measurement matches just weren't as big of a priority. I am more interested in learning to drape, and use my form often to model my works in progress/finished projects, and did I mention that she also just looks damn cool in my studio!

Hey hey! Here’s the one I currently have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1ROPT6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8zl9AbCGZ52X8

I will say I wish I had one that can model pants, but this one is cheap, lightweight, and fairly easy to dress, it’s pin-able so if clothing is too large I can pin into the mannequin to adjust the fit, I plan on replacing her eventually with one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074H97GYL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rDl9AbVTSQW3W

hmm...I see where your coming from. What about something like this? I just did a quick Amazon search for ideas :)

Baby Flexible Mannequin (3 Months) - 24" with Head 18½" Without Head - with Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006C3PX92/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z.g-BbSYQHJYH

My husband purchased this one for me for Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/ST-SIZE4-Professional-Female-Collapsible-shoulder/dp/B0049IMGVA

Based on your measurements, it looks like this one might be right for you: http://www.amazon.com/ST-SIZE12-Professional-Female-Collapsible-shoulder/dp/B004EFZ9C6

From what I read, it is MUCH better to get one that is not adjustable. The fabric can fall in the cracks and not drape correctly, it makes pinning difficult, etc. I would save and look at dress forms in the $200 range.

Total cost above with shipping = $42.80
Consider this wire one $28 total

and this black one $36 total

xoxo

They make dress form covers.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECSQI8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6ShtDb0TW3AKR

Edit: Or I suppose you could make your own, if you have the fabric for it, and save yourself $10

I bought this one from Amazon just to have something for clothes that look weird on a hanger and it’s super light weight which is nice but the fabric on top is a velvet and it is a beating getting certain fabrics to not bunch or look staticy.

Basically this one in a different wood color: https://www.amazon.com/Female-Pinnable-Mannequin-Wooden-Tripod/dp/B01C67Z83I

Good for making patterns and whatnot. :D

Adjustable dress form, please!
https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Mannequin-Tri-Pod-Shoulder-Height/dp/B01MRIZTHI/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=dress%2Bforms%2Bfor%2Bsewing&qid=1574445381&sprefix=dress%2Bform&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1

Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072VHFBSJ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does anyone have this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Mannequin-Adjustable-Clothing-Jewelry-Display/dp/B07M7V9VJ6

Male Dress Form Torso with Blond Wood Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MF9E3SV/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apap_A24F5vzK9P3ZK

The post with the link

Dress form link

(JF-M2LARM+BS-05) ROXYDISPLAYTM Display Male Body Form with arms & Rectangle Brushed Metal Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HDU0IDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RN4IDbYN8BQSC

[I call him Bob.] (http://www.amazon.com/MD-WFEGGS-DISPLAY%C2%AE-Mounted-Abstract-Mannequin/dp/B00HCPC932/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1462491471&sr=1-1&keywords=MD-WFEGGS)

Sorry if this doesn't work. I'm on mobile.

Giantex Female Mannequin Torso Dress Form Display W/ Black Tripod Stand (Brown) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DNJINHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apap_NpLWRm3SEArR1