Mannequin help - how to make them stand up?

[hcliffe]

I make my own mannequins, but I think the problem applies to store bought ones as well. I have had some trouble with them falling over !

I have heard with store bought mannequins you often have to cut off their feet for the boots to fit. I would think that would make them prone to falling.

I did trade emails with one collector who puts a pole on their backside to help prop them up. But if possible, I want them to stand on their own.

Thoughts or comments?

[Wilhelm]

I make my own too. With some work you can balance them against a wall and they will stand OK. Or you can hook them to a wall in the back with an O ring into the wall and a wire hook to the belt. I would never cut a boot or pants to hook onto a floor plate. Cheap but it works.
Wilhelm

[stray_dog]

Hi!

I have seen some mannequins that were held standing with fishing thread, pinned on the wall. I don't know if it's the best solution regarding the wall itself and family peace... but it is working for some members here, whose collections I have seen.

How do you make your own mannequins? I would be really interested in making some myself if it's not much of an expert's job!

Best regards,
Giorgos

Edit: I think I found the link! That's a really nice idea, thanks for sharing!
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...nnequin&page=2

[hcliffe]

Hello Wilhelm, yes, mine will stand up leaning against a wall just fine. But I don't really like that look. I want them "free standing" if possible. Most of mine are that way now, but have had some accidents where they fell over and that of course concerns me.

Giorgos: Yes, I have heard of some people using wire or fishing line to attach their mannequins to a wall or ceiling. I may have to use that method.

Yes, that is the thread where I show how to make a mannequin. I have gotten even more ambitious. I now make arms using wire and attach it to the wooden frame. The arms are bendable to whatever position you want. I have also made hands. Start with wire, bend to the shape of fingers, then insert into wool gloves, or use latex gloves, fill them with padding and paint them to whatever color you want. The latex hands do not look that great. Still experimenting there.

[NZMark]

Harry,
I use a base-plate with a long alloy rod bent at waist level into the small of the back. A hole is drilled through the rod and wire is wrapped about the mannequins waist and tied off. This way both long and short boots can be worn while no rod passes up through the trousers at all. Minimal interference.
Regards,
Mark.