Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-08
DUMMIES FOR DRESSES,
Figures of Zinc and How They Are Used for
Fitting.

Figures of Zinc and How They Are Used for
Fitting.
HALF A DOZEN LADIES WE'RE STAND
IL ing outside Of a doorway on downtown
business block. Two or three Of them were
rather slenderly built. while the others we're in
clined to stoutness Although they remained
there together for several hours, none Of then,
said anything. This was probably because they
had no heads. In fact, they were made of zinc
as far down as just below the hips, while be-
meath there was nothing at all except an iron
stick for each one, with base to stand upon.
1t was evident that they were dressmakers
dummies
Unlike most such dummies. however, these
represented the figures of real people. A STAR
reporter found by inquiry that the manner OF
making them Is rather curious. For example,
Mrs. Jones, for reasons presently to be ex-
planned, wants to have one constructed after
the model of her own shape. She goes and
has herself measured as if for q dress and a
costume Is cut out according to the measure
ments. But the material, instead of being
silk or other cloth, is sheet zinc. When the
pieces have been cut out they are soldered to-
gether, instead of being sewn, and thus is OBJ
tanned reproduction Of the figure of Mrs.
Jones.
Necessarily, the measuring, cutting and shap-
ing have to be done very carefully. inasmuch as
the dummy must have precisely the form of
Mrs. Jones. She has 1t sent home and it serves
In future for dressmaking purposes as a sub
stitute for herself. That is TO say she has all
her dresses fitted upon it instead Of having to
bother with that part of the business herself
ANY woman will testify what an aggravating
bore it lie to have dress fitted, requiring as il
does hours of posing before the mirror and all
sorts of alterations and readjustments all of
which is a trial to both patience and temper
But with dummy to fit the dress upon
most OF this trouble is avoided. II dress
maker is employed, she can do all the fitting on
the model. and If the gown fits the latter it
will equally satisfy the requirements of Mrs.
Jones. or course, this assumes that Mrs Jones
does not get particularly fatter or thinner in
which case she would be obliged to have herself
measured for another dummy. However, the
greatest advantage Of this device il that Mrs
Jones is able to send her dummy to the dress
makers house and she need not 60 there or
disturb herself again about the matter having
provided the materials, until the gown is sent
home all ready to be put on.
Most women are obliged to make their own
dresses, and for their purposes such dummy
is invaluable, inasmuch they are thus en-
abled to fit their own waists and drape their
own skirts as well and as easily as if they were
making costume for somebody else. The
zinc dummies cost from Is to $50. The price
of them goes up rapidly with the avoirdupois
of the purchaser, SO that a dummy with a
forty-elght-inch bust costs at least twice Is
much one with thirty-six-inch bust meas
ure. 1t Is probable that before long similar
dummies will be made for men, who can thus
have clothes made for them by their tailors
without being obliged to be measured