Schneiderpuppe

Schneiderpuppe, literally “tailor’s doll” in German, is a dress form or mannequin used in tailoring, fashion design, and sewing to drape fabric, pin patterns, and check fit. It typically consists of a torso-shaped form mounted on a stand and comes in female, male, or child versions. Modern forms are often adjustable to simulate different measurements and body shapes.

Materials and construction: Traditional forms have been made of wood, plaster, or papier-mache and covered with cloth. Contemporary dress forms use a foam- or fiberglass-shell core with fabric covering and padding to hold pins. Stands are usually metal or wood, with adjustable height and a rotating base in some models.

Usage: Schneiderpuppen are used to drape fabric, pin patterns, and assess fit and fall of garments. They support pattern drafting, fitting sessions, and display of finished garments in studios, schools, and retail windows.

Variants: In addition to standard torso forms, many forms include adjustable bust, waist, and hip measurements, shoulder slope, and neck size. Some models feature removable shoulders or arms, and child- or plus-size versions to represent different body types.

History: The practice of using dress forms has long roots in tailoring. Early wooden torsos gave way to more sophisticated, adjustable forms during the 19th and 20th centuries, aligning with industrial sewing and fashion design.