Click this to read yesterday's blog about buying this form.
In addition to the measurement chart Simplicity publishes with all their patterns, I have a very extensive chart with the measurements for all sorts of incremental bits including the correct distance from bust point to bust point and neck to shoulder edge, for example.
It is now a usable form, although I want to find out about that front neck to waist length. Why is my form so much shorter than the official measurement? I will report back.
I'm glad I now have a size 22. I've had to borrow forms and people in the past when making something this size.
I know so many of you wish Simplicity published more patterns in this size range. I do, too. But, the sales are never strong enough to keep patterns this size in the line for very long, although they are grading the Misses patterns into larger sizes than they used to. I've done a basic costume dress (Pilgrim/Prairie/18th C) #2354, which doesn't seem to be available at the Simplicity site right now, but it is at Walmart. I thought that one would stay in ... need to find out about this!
... sigh ... I'm trying!
Lastly, I am adding these comments from Lisa Logan who has a lot of experience using these forms for actual humans. Read carefully if you are considering buying one of these.
Just a few suggestions for your readers that are making a form to fit themselves. I have four of these "squishies", and I love them.
You'll need a friend to help fit the cover to your own body and you must insist that they fit it as TIGHTLY as they possibly can ... and then maybe even a little tighter. Take your measurements, in the cover, before you take it off. (Wear the right underwear, i.e. the kind of bra you would wear with the kind of clothes you will make.) When you sew it, stitch to the inside of the seamlines. The reason? The pushback of the foam rubber will do everything it can to stretch out the fabric of the cover, so by making it as tight as possible, you will be more likely to come out with a form in the same size, and not bigger.
I like to make a little weird "turtleneck" cover out of milliskin or lycra, a shape that covers the neck and arm stubs, that is put on before the cover. The reason? Prolonged exposure to air dries out the foam and turns it into a nasty yellow color.
And lastly, because I use my forms mostly for period garments, which can get quite heavy, I'm always having to over-tighten the screws on the plastic clamp. Eventually, it cracks. One can get replacement clamps from the distributor in North Carolina; believe me, I know ... I've gone thru at least a half-dozen. I can post the address if you'd like (I'd just have to go find it.)