I prefer the Sure Fit Designs approach to making a well fitting basic pattern. It doesn’t cover all fit issues, and it doesn’t work for me. But it does cover more fit issues than the Bonfit.

I also prefer the Sure Fit Designs explanations of how to change the basic pattern to make other styles. I find those explanations easier to understand than the Bonfit ones – the Sure Fit ones are more visual !

I bought my Bonfit probably back in the late 80’s and my measurements are on one of the charts so I got that far. Besides the instructions that come with each patterner I also have two other Bonfit books. Fashion concepts design by Martin Fung and Fashion Sewing instructions with an inside special thanks to Connie Amaden Crawford and Verajean Dunwoody. Inside these books are little write ups about these two ladies. Verajean was teaching beginning and intermediate sewing at Chaffey College. I should add that I was a student back then and heavy duty into job hunting so I probably did not have the time to really learn how to use these. Connie Amaden Crawford also had 3 videos out showing alterations to make using all three of the patterners.

I initially thought I did not have a pants patterner instruction book which I have since found. I went looking for where to buy one. The only place I have found is a lady in Canada that sells the patterners and the two books I have just mentioned. She also sells the bodice in three different sizes.

I think I read somewhere that Bonfit came from Europe. I wonder if there was not enough sales in America or if they lost their license. If you look up Bonfit on the internet it is now a sporting goods distributor. If I had not found my pants patterner instruction book I would have e mailed the woman in Canada to try to get one from her. I might not even be a bad idea for me to consider getting the bigger bodice pattern although I could slide and pivot the one I have. My books do not have a spiral spine on them. The Canadian lady does mention hers are spiral bound which would be easier to use.

I have watched Sewing with Nancy since the 80’s too. I believe her program started at that point and she is still on the air. She is a heavy duty believer in the slide and pivot method. There is a (Sew Fit manual ) slide and pivot book that shows a multitude of ways to alter your patterns. When looking last night I discovered that she is one of three authors that contributed to that book.

If you do enough looking around there is another pattern review site that people are posting their experience with the Bonfit. Some good, some really good, and some not so hot
http://www.patterners.com/orderform.htm#contact

I bought mine much cheaper on ebay, where they come up sometimes.

The more curves you have the more paper fitting you have to do no matter how you get your pattern