Comments on: Pattern making – easier fitting shell

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:19:14 +0000

Thanks for the clarification Glenda, I’ve removed that comment from my post. I’m jealous of people your system works for, and do I look at your booklets for easy guidance on new styles.

By: Glenda Sparling

Glenda Sparling — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:01:44 +0000

Hi sewingplum – actually the Sure-Fit Designs system of pattern fitting does allow for extra front bodice pattern width, relative to back, needed by people with large cup sizes. In the Dress Kit Instruction book on pg. 6 it gives instructions for increasing the front pattern by one measurement dot and decreasing the back bodice by the same amount. That way you end up with the same necessary bust circumference, just with more of the space given to the front than the back.
I hope this helps to clarify this issue.
Kindly,
Glenda Sparling – President Sure-Fit Designs

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:38:44 +0000

You did not specify how to use measurement to cut out patterns.
U just showed us what the pattern layout should look like.

By: Gemma

Gemma — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:42:33 +0000

I know just what you mean I couldn’t quite get it right looking at the book but when Mandy showed me how to do it and how to make those final tweaks I found it worked great. But, like you say – we are all different – be a vanilla world if we weren’t!

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:36:51 +0000

Thanks Gemma. I’m happy to hear Palmer-Pletsch works well for you. Sadly their methods don’t work for me. I gave away all their books as they never had the answers to my questions. We are all different !

By: Gemma

Gemma — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:14:49 +0000

Hi all – I have always had problems making clothes that fit and gave up making clothes for myself until I discovered the Palmer/Pletsch system for making commercial patterns really fit! – unfortunately there are only 2 teachers of this system in the UK – and although I had to travel quite a way to get to her my teacher, Mandy, was so good that I am going back to have her teach me how to fit trousers – and my mum’s coming too!

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:33:45 +0000

LadyD – good luck with your work on fitting. At first I found fitting a very slow and dispiriting process, but now I know enough about myself to be able to get a good result, which is very rewarding. (I avoid the word ‘sloper’ as different people use it with different meanings.)

By: LadyD

LadyD — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:58:51 +0000

Found your blog when searching for information on fitting shells and slopers (I was confused wether they are the same thing or different). And I realise now what I want is a ‘casual block’. And my aim is just to get something that fits (with ease) that I can then use to make various dresses and blouses/tops etc. by changing necklines, sleeves etc.
I don’t have a dress form or anyone who can help me with fitting so will have to do it all myself. And am quite happy with a ‘that’ll do’ approach to fitting. I

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:23:12 +0000

Thanks for the interesting link Rebecca.

Nancy Zieman’s method doesn’t work for me. I think all of us who have difficulty with fit eventually find our own selection of tweaks which get our basic fitting shell to fit well – then a whole world of possibilities opens up

Whatever works for you – use it !

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 01:15:50 +0000

As a random thought…something I am actually about to pursue…you mention that using the pattern shells (Vogue, Butterick, etc.) don’t cover the armscye fit. That is why I am now following the following book (see link below) to try and fix the patterns I buy (but, I am doing each pattern individually. GAH!). SO, what an idea to combine the fitting shells with this method?? Then I will have a lovely shell for myself to draft off of, but also to alter the patterns easier!! I think it might work!! LINK: http://www.sewlisette.com/blog/2011/06/two-resources-to-help-you-find-your-correct-size/