Duct Tape Torso Sloper

Ready to start talking about torso forms? I think I’ve made a good start on my pant form that I thought it was time to tackle the torso form. Who’s ready?

DUCT TAPE TORSO FORM

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

• 2 rolls of duct tape
• saran / cling wrap
• scissors
• permanent marker

The method of creating a torso body form is pretty well documented elsewhere. This should make for an exceptional Technical Challenge! Instead of spending a lot of time describing the method, go check out this post: https://www.burdastyle.com/blog/diy-duct-tape-dress-form.

A few things I made sure to tape correctly were:

• Placing the front neckline right at my clavicle
• Placing the back neckline at the bony neck protrusion, C7 vertebrae, that’s used to determine the top of the back
• Carefully taping the shape of my arm holes
• Stopping the bottom of the form at my widest hip point

Before I cut the duct tape sloper, I marked:

• center front
• center back
• side seam
• shoulder seam (top of shoulder)
• end of the shoulder

IS IT A SLOPER OR A BLOCK?

I’ve been reading on the internet the hot debate about whether I can call my duct tape body form a sloper or block. I realize that when we cut the duct tape apart to create the pattern pieces, they are more like pattern blocks and less like bodice slopers. But they aren’t entirely pattern blocks, because they don’t have any ease built into the pattern. Anyways. This a debate for someone else to tackle. I’m interested in turning my duct tape form into a usable pattern.

Since side seams and center front and back are marked, I choose a side and cut the left and right sides apart. Once I bisected my pattern from left to right, I choose a side and split front and back apart. Once I had a half piece for the front and back, I traced the pattern onto paper. After my experience with the pant sloper, I learned it’s best NOT to let the duct tape sloper flatten out. I stuffed paper and fabric scraps underneath the duct tape form to keep all the curves puffed out while I traced. Below are photos of my duct tape sloper next to my tracing.

FRONT TROSO

BACK TORSO

PROOF OF CONCEPT

You will just have to wait and see! I’ve perfected the tee and I have a huge, mega, colossal blogpost planned.