Experiments with Forms

My initial two pair of forms came from a late night idea after getting discouraged with crumpled up socks. I knew that I would not have the money to blow on a pair of silicon and the cheapest alternative that I could find in non-silicon that would presumably give a real shape was about $100 a pair. I did not really want to settle for a latex facsimile.
I knew that I wanted something cheap, and either malleable or shapeable. To this end, I devised that one should use either something that can be molded or perhaps roughed into shape. So I thought over various items in foam, and settled on the good ole' Nerf football!

I was able to get a nerf for only about $5 at the local Kmart. A good sharp knife suited to perform surgery. My initial intent was to cut a diagonal across the middle to get two B-C size forms. Upon doing this, I discovered that they were in fact a hefty EE size, so I performed another diagonal cut on each half to produce a nice C pair and a nice A pair.
To finish the work, I personally took the Tim Allen approach and grabbed for my trusty cordless Dremel with a sanding wheel. I have worked with foam before, and for those sans Dremel power tools (argh argh argh), most hardware stores carry 'screen' sandpaper that works real well on foam surfaces. Some work was also done with a rough file and I even experimented with some heat to shape the foam.
The outer skin was the first thing I sanded off. I then slightly hollowed out the back of the C forms and completely hollowed out the back of A forms. Finally, another experiment led me to wrap the C forms in a stocking to further smooth out the surfaces. The end result was light - perhaps a bit too light, but was a pleasing shape under bra/clothes.
These have since come in handy to use under 'less than supportive' items for pictures - such as lingerie or bathing suits or any other items such as backless gowns, etc. where you might not be able to wear a bra to support a heavier form.

Another experiment with positive results was to take two packets of Knox unflavored gelatin and about 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Using a small bowl as a mold, I mixed the gelatin and placed it in the fridge. The end result was not the best solution, as it 'leaked' slowly when exposed to body heat. Wrapping it in cellophane helped a bit, and the use of colored cellophane also enhanced the look of the end result.
Although the 'leaking' was far from ideal, the look, weight and resulting 'motion' of these forms is the most realistic I have been able to devise yet. Perhaps if you just need to be somewhere for an hour or so and wanna really freak people out... I am considering further experimentation with this concept down the road. Perhaps with the use of moulding rubber like that used in fishing lures, custom shaped moulds, and a final coating of latex on the exterior for added realism. I will let y'all know if I ever get around to trying this.

The last idea appears to be one in wide use. It was told to me on my first trip to check out Granny's and is rather simple yet effective. It requires but a few knee high stockings (skin tone color of your choosing) and something grainy. (birdseed, rice, etc.) In my case, I used a tan pair of No Nonsense knee highs and cracked sunflower seed. I did not fill the hose much bigger than slightly over an A size, tied off the hose, and wrapped the remainder around the filled portion two more times tying off each time. The knots can even serve as make shift nipples and can be made quite visible with the right bra under thin clothing.

Depending on the 'grainy' substance you chose, these can be real close to the right weight. The amount you fill can control the size. The number of wraps you do while tying it off can change the level of malleability, which is quite reasonable even after three wraps as in my case. The action is not quite as profound but is a lot less static than a foam equivalent.

When I first built these, I was left with the feeling that I would not have any more need or use for my foam forms. However, I found later than keeping both handy was quite necessary. Some push-up or strapless bras do not allow the hose/grain form to shape properly. any amount left 'above' the edge of the bra tends to 'puff-out' and will not resemble a real breast. The foam works better in these instances in that it does not try to buldge too much past the edge of the garment and can be pre-tapered to fit along your body in the proper shape.
Additionally, some outfits were so 'skimpy' in the upper area, or perhaps even loose fitting, that the lighter foam forms really came in handy. This is especially true for lacy lingerie or low cut dresses and shirts that will not allow the wearing of a bra. I also was able to occasionally squeeze the hose form in behind the foam's hollowed out back to acheive similar effects with various outfits/bras.

An Inexpensive Way of Using Latex!!

I recently did an interesting 'twist' on that last method. I had been looking for some time for those large 'kids punch balloons' (or any balloon that had a thick skin). Finally, Walmart had some of them for $0.99 for a bag of 4. So, I bought two bags of them and three tubes of latex caulk. I ended up playing a bit and actually ended up with two sets of forms. I used a whole tube of caulk per balloon for the first set, ending up with about a C-D size cup. I haven't really used those, as once I tried them on, they were a bit big for me. So, I went back and tried a half-tube per balloon and they were a nice B size cup and worked very well,
Once the balloons were filled, I tied them off with some fishing twine (sturdy stuff, 20lb test) and then, like above covered the outside with knee highs for color. However, I tied off the hose with thread rather than with a knot, only tying a knot on the last 'wrap-around' for the 'nipple'.

They are very realistic in shape and especially texture - even bouncy. I imagine that over time, the latex will even start to cure inside the balloon so I always store them 'back side down'. But even then - (I have played with latex caulk before) they are still realistic although not as bouncy.

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