Nine sets of shells and interlining fabric combinations were tested for tensile strength and bursting strength both before and after needle punching. The results indicated that the medium weight woven cotton and 600 g/m2 , 5mm thick polyester nonwoven (A2B2), the heavyweight woven cotton and 600 g/m2 , 5mm thick polyester nonwoven (A3B2), and the heavyweight woven cotton and 200 g/m2 , 5mm. thick polyester nonwoven (A3B3) fabrics were the strongest. Therefore, these three fabrics were used to construct the three male models and three female models by paper – mache techniques. The results of performance tests revealed that the No 2 male model (A3B2) had the highest total score among the male models. Consequently, the No2 female model (A3B2) had the highest total score among the female models. It could be concluded that the A3 fabric, heavyweight woven cotton, 130 x 70 yarns per square inch made from 20 count yarn; and the B2 fabric, 600 g/m2 , 5 mm. thick polyester nonwoven were most suitable for model construction. The model itself is an important dressmaking tool used for patternmaking and fitting. The results of this study will be useful for further development of male and female prototype models to be used in the Thai apparel industry. Thai standard size models constructed were high quality but were low cost because they were made in Thailand. Therefore, vocational schools and garment manufactures can afford them.