Miyumi
How To Make The Miyumi Body Form
What You’ll Need
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The Miyumi Body Form Pattern (click here to buy PDF in A4 or Letter Format)
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Computer and printer (with lots of ink)
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210gsm paper card (about 40 sheets)
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Very sharp scissors
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Sharp cutting blade
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Cutting mat
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Lots of ½” tape (12.5mm) … I used Scotch 3M brand tape in 1” that I cut lengthwise in half as my shop was out of stock of ½”.
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Ruler
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Several hours
This is not an easy project. It’s going to take skill, patience and a whole lot of time. You need to cut accurately down the center of the line and tape accurately. If you’re slightly out on your cutting then the length of the curves will change and the pattern pieces won’t line up. You’ll very quickly see if you’re out as I’ve added arrows .... these are your life line so use them … if they don’t match perfectly then it’s probably because you haven’t cut absolutely perfectly down the center of the line. I can’t stress this enough.
I don’t recommend using tape narrower than 3/8” (10mm) as it won’t have the bite to hold on to both sides of the join. Cheap tape will also lack the holding power you’ll need. Likewise tape wider than ½“ (12.5mm) can affect how the pattern pieces curve and also not sit flat. I like to use lots small bite sized lengths around 25mm to 30mm long each as they’re the most manageable on all the curves … you could use longer pieces on the long straighter sections.
The pattern includes all the pattern pieces you need to create the body form for a size 76cm underbust, 72cm waist, 95cm hips and 34.5cm nape to waist ... the bust size depends on which of the included breast forms you choose to use.
Once the dress form is assembled, it will be split at the waist with a special template and papier mache will be applied to the inside of the form. The completed hard form can then be sanded and lacquered, or even have a thin layer of foam applied.
This project takes time and skill and is recommended for experienced crafters only ...
Difficulty: very difficult
Skill level: advanced
Copyright Note: this pattern and it's instructions are intended for home use only. Using this pattern to produce dress forms or modifying it for resale or any other commercial use is strictly prohibited. It is intended for use as a pattern making or display aid. This pattern is not to be shared with others. One pattern is for use by one person. By purchasing this pattern you are agreeing to these copyright terms.
Step One
I found it was easier to start at the bottom and work my way up when assembling the body form, so I’ve numbered the pieces starting at the bottom to help direct you on what’s the easiest way to assemble the project. Of course you can change the order for whatever works best for you … this is just what worked for me. So I’m starting with the crotch as it’s impossible to get to once the outside sections are done.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Cut out Pattern Pieces 1 through 4, both left and right sides (see image 1). These pieces were too long to print out on A4 in one piece so you’ll need to stick the top and bottom parts together ... each bottom part is labeled with the same number as its corresponding top part.
Line up both left and right sides of Pattern Piece 1 along center front and tape them together carefully lining up the arrows (see image 2). Repeat by adding Pattern Pieces 2 (left and right) to the center pieces (see image 3 & 4). Then join Pattern Pieces 3 (left and right) to form the tummy being careful to make sure all the arrows line up (see image 5).
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
If you’ve done it correctly the ends should all be square as shown in Image 6. If they’re a fraction out (less than 0.5 millimeter) you should be ok ... just trim it the tiniest fraction to make it square… more than that and you might want to go back and re-tape as it can make the gusset section twist.
Take both left and right sides of Pattern Piece 4 and place little bits of tacking tape along the center line as shown in Image 7… this tends to hold it in place so you can curve edge easier before taping permanently. I put little bits of tape along the whole length right up to the end. Notice that when you get to the point the tips will cross over because the curve is changing direction yet again. Do not cut them off or try to bend them … simply follow the curve and join them together with a little bit of tape as I’ve shown below (see Image 8). Once it’s all tacked together you can run along the edge with longer tape … this is a technique I use when parts are difficult to hold … just make sure you use the arrows so you everything is the correct shape.
Image 9
Image 10
Image 11
Image 12
Your two sections should look like Image 9 ... so, join the gusset section to the tummy section you assembled before (see Image 10). I also taped the inside of this join for added strength as it does get pulled on quite a bit when the inside leg sections get fitted (see Image 11). And now you've completed Step 1 ... it should look like Image 12. Put this section to one side for now and we’ll assemble the next section.
Step Two
Cut out the left and right sides of Pattern Pieces 5 through 10 (see Image 13). Read the markings on Pattern Piece 5 carefully to see where each piece goes … four separate pieces join Pattern Piece 5 to create the start of the cheek at the rear of the gusset. This section will twist like crazy as you assemble it, but just make sure it’s all lined up with the arrows and everything will be OK.
Image 13
Image 14
Image 15
Image 16
Image 17
Join Pattern Piece 9 to Pattern Piece 5 and tape into position being careful to match the arrows (see Image 14) ... if you didn't cut the lines perfectly then you'll find each piece might not fit between the arrows properly ... check! Take Pattern Piece 8 and line it up with Pattern Piece 5 and tape into position (see Image 15). Repeat with Pattern Piece 7 (see Image 16). When you join Pattern Piece 7 with pattern piece 5 it will sit on top of the other pieces because of its shape (see Image 17) ... this is ok.
Image 18
Image 19
Image 20
Image 21
Now start joining each of the Pattern Pieces 6 through 9 to each other (see Images 18 to 21)… I found it easier to start at Pattern Piece 9. Pattern Piece 6 will need to be twisted into position so the arrows line up. I found it easier to tack them into place at the alignment marks first as it can flick out of place easily (see Image 20).
Image 22
Image 23
Image 24
Lastly add Pattern Piece 10 to the edge of Pattern Piece 9, going all the way across Pattern Piece 5 (see Image 22) to what will become the start of Center Back. I have folded the tape over the edges and around to the other side to help hold it together (see Image 23) ... you can also put tape on the back wherever you feel it twists a bit or you're worried it might come apart because of the quality of you tape.
Repeat with the other side and you should have three sections that look like Image 24.
Step Three
Cut out the left and right sides of Pattern Pieces 11 through 13 ... I’ve also included the left and right sides of Pattern Pieces 21 and 22 because it was an efficient use of A4 printer paper (see Image 25).
Start by joining Pattern Piece 11 to Pattern Piece 12. I use little pieces of tacking tape as usual to hold things together as I gently ease my way around lining up the arrows (see Images 26 and 27). Repeat with Pattern Piece 13. Next join Pattern Piece 21 to Pattern Piece 22 using the arrows as guides.
Next join Pattern Section 21/22 to Pattern Section 11/12/13… tacking with little bits of tape will help (see Images 28 and 29) … be gentle and ease it into place, then finishing with longer tape.
Image 25
Image 26
Image 27
Image 28
Image 29
It should look as below in Image 30. You can check to see how well you’ve taped by looking for gaps on the back. Repeat for the other side and you should have two pieces that look like Image 31.
Image 30
Image 31
Image 32
Image 33
Next we join Pattern Pieces 14 and 15 to the Pattern Piece 6 (see Image 32). This piece also has a strong curve so go slowly and follow the arrows ... using little pieces of tacking tape is useful. It should look like Image 33 when complete ... repeat for the other side. Once joined you’ll start to see how the underside of the cheek will work out by wrapping the leg a little.
I then joined the top section of the butt checks to the bottom section at Pattern Pieces 10 and 11 as shown in images 34 and 35, to create the whole butt cheek and inside leg.
Image 34
Image 35
Step Four
The rest of the front leg is reasonably easy. You just have to be careful to make sure all the arrows line up ... that part is critical or there'll be unexpected curves popping up ... if things don't line up it's typically because you haven't cut exactly down the center of the line. Cut out Pattern Pieces 16 through 20 (see Image 36).
Start by joining Pattern Pieces 16 and 17 together (see Image 37) in the middle and working outwards ... it’ll be much easier to handle than if you work from one side to the other, and more likely to line up ... note that it sticks out to one side. Next join Pattern Piece 18 to the edge of Piece 17 (see Image 38). Pattern Pieces 19 and 20 go around the outside starting at Piece 16 (see Image 39).
Image 36
Image 37
Image 38
Image 39
Start by joining Pattern Piece 19 to Piece 16, making sure it's all the way neatly into the square corner ... Pattern Piece 19 has a strong inside curve so I recommend tacking that in place gently all the way around with little pieces of tape at the arrows. Finish by taping it firmly both inside and out (see Image 40 ... sorry I don't have more photos of this part).
Next we apply Pattern Piece 20 by starting square in the corner again (see Image 41) like we did for the previous piece and tacking all the way along lining everything up with the arrows. Then tape with longer pieces to secure everything in place (see Image 42). I put some tape on the back of this join to help secure it.
Repeat for the other side (see Image 43). When finished we should have all the pieces of the butt section ready to put together (see Image 44).
Image 40
Image 41
Image 42
Image 43
Image 44
Step Five
Now comes the totally fun part and incredibly difficult part at the same time. Putting these sections together looks daunting, but if you go slowly step by step it’s fairly straight forward. We’re also going to tape from the inside instead this time as it’s much easier to get the tape to hold, only you have to keep checking the other side to make sure the arrows line up. As usual we start from the bottom and inside and work our way out.
So the first place we tack is by joining Pattern Piece 5 (the narrow rectangular one) to the crotch, Pattern Piece 4. The pointy end of the crotch goes toward Pattern Piece 10 and the angle on the side of Pattern Piece 4 goes to the join between Pattern Piece 6 and 14. Look at the Image 45 and note the pointy end of the crotch and the angle meeting where the two pieces join. See I’ve tacked it in place.
Image 45
Image 46
Image 47
Image 48
Image 49
Image 50
Next start to line up the front crotch going up to the tummy … they line up really well (see Image 47). If you can get a second pair of hands to tack the join as you hold it in place it’s much easier but I did this by myself. Once tacked, check the alignment marks line up on the outside and if so then tape completely on the inside. Repeat with the other side ... it's easier to see where the corner in the crotch section goes once one piece is already on (see Image 48) ... I tack everything into place first before fully taping (see Image 49).
Now you can tack the Center Back between the cheeks on the inside all the way up to the top of Pattern Piece 21 (see image 50) ... now you can really start to see how all this goes together and the shape it creates ... it's really exciting and rewarding at the same time when you see it holding its own shape .... in nothing more than card and tape!
Image 51
Image 52
Image 53
The last bit remaining is to tape up section 14/15 of the leg to the front crotch and lower tummy section (see Image 51). This is really straight forward if you tape from behind. You should end up with something that looks exactly like Images 52 and 53.
Image 54
Image 55
Image 56
I start at the lower front by lining up Pattern Piece 16 with Pattern Piece 15, by beginning at the corner as before (position shown in Image 54). I apply tacking pieces of tape to Piece 16 first (see Images 55 and 56) as I found it easier to hold, but that depends on whether you have an extra set of hands … I didn’t at the time. Work your way from the corner down, not the other way.
Next work your way up Pattern Piece 3 lining up each part of the front leg section with the arrows all the way to the end of Pattern Piece 3 … I switched taping from the inside to the outside about half way because it was easier to hold. Repeat for the other side.
Image 57
Image 58
Image 59
This leaves us with essentially just the side seams (see image 57). I start at the corner again (see Image 58) and work my way down the leg slowly ... I did tack it a little first before using longer tape, but that's up to you. Watch the arrows carefully. Lastly join up the waist section between Pieces 3 and 22 ... I put extra tape on the back of this join because it likes to crease. You should end up with a model that looks like Image 59.
Image 60
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