What is a "dress form" used for?

A dress form is primarily used to represent the human body, allowing designers and sewers to fit and drape fabric as they create garments. This tool mimics the dimensions of a human figure, providing a three-dimensional surface that helps in understanding how a fabric will behave and look when worn. By using a dress form, designers can more accurately visualize the fit and flow of the fabric, make adjustments, and achieve the desired design before final assembly.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary use of a dress form. While displaying completed garments is a function of mannequins rather than dress forms, preparing fabric for dyeing involves processes that are unrelated to fit or design. Measuring body dimensions pertains more to tools like tape measures or specialized measuring equipment rather than the use of a dress form, which is focused on representation and fitting rather than direct measurement.