Make a sewing pattern from a packing tape mould

Make a sewing pattern by covering an object with a plastic bag and wrapping in packing tape.

I made a sewing pattern for a bike helmet cover, but this technique can be used to make a pattern for just about any object, even people!

Step 1 Cover and wrap the object

Cover the object with a thin plastic bag. A dry-cleaning bag is a good weight for this. Now wrap the object in packing tape. I cut lengths of around a foot (30cm) to make it easier, but the important thing is that you want to wrap the object tightly! Your packing tape will get lots of wrinkles - that's fine. Baggy bits? Just go over them again with more tape. Make sure the entire object is completely covered.

Comments

[Leo4613]

I liked this when I found it, used it to make a pattern for making play helmets for my nephew. Then I thought, Why not make another, not cut it in half. instead stuff it and have a head form? So I did
Now I have a head form/Hat rest with hidden storage. The can I used as a base is on it's lid so I can make use of the inside to store things.
It will look better when I paper machie (? spelling?? lol) it up.

[Seelos]

Excellent method, clearly explained. Thanks!

[coraxonyx]

This is a great idea! A few of us have made dress dummies using the same principles, but your technique expands the idea and is very clever and straighforward. Thanks for the idea.

[piaferre]

great idea, very simple and so usefull.

[jumpingnpuddles]

I saw something similar to this ages ago used to make a personal, accurate dress form and had forgotten how they did it. Thanks for the idea and thanks for refreshing my memory!

[Silvester10528]

duct tape Have the person put on an under shirt and wrap them semi firmly in duct tape. You can then make a single cut up the front/back/either side and tape the form off of them in relatively one piece that is easy to tape closed again. Then you stuff the form with just about anything: crumpled paper, plastic grocery bags, poly-fill, etc... Viola, a dress form to match a specific person!

[don_juanila]

Great first instructable! The mind boggles at other patterns I could make with this technique, thanks!

[highwingpilot]

Simply brilliant! Thanks for posting!

[Bug2k]

This is a fine idea. I can see making soft plush toys from hard model designs.

[whiteoakart]

Yep, it works.

[whiteoakart]

This is very similar to how we design seat covers for automotive seating! This can also be used to make stuffed animals, but that's a bit more complex patterning. Great job!

[Quipe]

Wow, this technique would be really useful! I've been surfing instructables for weeks, trying to decide on a fabric project that would be easy as my first project - you've just made everything seem just easier! Thanks so much :D

[megg]

thanks for the nice comments - i can feel the sparks of inspiration! i'd love to see someone use this for a project for a more complex shape.

[Lizander]

I might use this to make a plush version of the Halo 3 ODST Helmet!! or maybe I'll use it to make a wearable version (instead of paper, put it on cardboard then hot glue it together!!! :D )?!?!

[Lizander]

Dude! this is sick!! now I can make that helmet cover (airsoft) that I wanted!!! and for like 5 bucks as to 15!!

[seamster]

This is great!

[Uncle Kudzu]

so you say we can make people with this method? wonder how would i get a beautiful girl to stand still long enough to make a pattern? nah, too ambitious; never mind that just now. i may, however, attempt to make a soft version of my current avatar, Mr. Hard Head. but seriously, excellent instructable! well executed in every respect.

[OnePrettyThing]

Wow, that's GENIUS! Thanks so much for explaining it so clearly, I'm really excited about this! I've been wanting a riding helmet cover for awhile now. Yay! I'll be linking to this as well.

[iectyx3c]

Clever and useful for other 3D modeling projects as well. Good job!

[megg]

thanks, guys!

[theRIAA]

VERY cool and useful. great job!