Mannequins are relatively easy to assemble. Here is a quick guide to assembling your mannequin.

1. Wear Gloves
When handling your mannequin, wear gloves to avoid surface scratches from rings that you might wear on your fingers. If you choose not to wear gloves, always make sure your hands are clean. This will protect the mannequin from surface dirt. Rings can cause pencil type marks on the mannequin, which are easily removed with a very fine sandpaper, but you might want to remove them to save yourself an extra job.

2. Assembly For Standing Mannequins
Start by securing the base. They all differ in how, but it is not rocket science to attach the rod (which goes into the foot or calf) to the base. Ensure the components are screwed in safely. Some mannequins have the legs joined together and some have them apart – either 2 legs straight or one leg that incorporates the pelvis. In most cases, a calf peg (which allows the mannequin to wear shoes) pops over the foot peg which has a screw on that tightens it against the foot peg.

Take out both legs, a big leg (which we call the one with the hole in the foot and the pelvis) and a little leg. Hold them upside down. Attach the little leg as its mould suggests to insert the first large pin on the top of the little leg. Twist it until it drops and then turn it back into place so that it is secure. Turn the legs over and place on top of either the foot peg into the bottom of the foot, or if the mannequin is wearing shoes, allow the calf peg to slide easily into the calf peg hole.

Next comes the torso. Again depending on the type of fitting, some twist on whilst others just sit on top of the pelvis. Ensure the torso does not wobble and that there are no gaps between torso and pelvis.

Then add the arms and hands. Sometimes you have to position the mannequin arm above the head so that you can lower it slowly into place. Add the hands and voila! Your mannequin is ready and you are ready to dress it.

3. Assembly For Sitting Mannequins
The base for a sitting mannequin is normally a fibre glass stool, but I have found it useful to assemble the sitting mannequins on a soft chair / sofa for extra protection, then moving it into place afterwards. You can assemble it on the floor – and if you enjoyed the game of twister as a child then memories will come flooding back! Once you have chosen your spot for assembly, attach the legs to the torso.

Then add the arms and hands. Sometimes you have to position the mannequin arm above the head so that you can lower it slowly into place. Add the hands and voila! Your mannequin is ready and you are ready to dress it.

You may find it easier to dress the mannequin as you are assembling it.

Please take care not to drop any of the limbs – they will chip and crack if dropped and are more fragile than one would think. If you are having any trouble with assembling the mannequin, please call us for help on 01636 610033