Everyone feels good and looks better in well-fitted clothes. This practical book explains how to make garments that really fit you and flatter your shape. It is a step-by-step guide to understanding fully what is included on a sewing pattern envelope and the contents within, so that you can make the clothes you want look amazing. Aimed at those home sewers who have no confidence in fitting, this book will be your best friend and will guide you through the process of sewing successful clothes with a professional fit and finish. Provides clear instructions on taking key body measurements, and tips for seeing and understanding what your body shape actually is, explains how to fit on a dressform and how to adjust a dressform so that it resembles your personal size and shape. It encourages you to be confident and creative, and to take the next step with your dressmaking. Of great interest to all home sewers, dressmakers, tailors, costume makers and fashion students. Superbly illustrated with 145 colour images. Gill McBride is an experienced seamstress who runs her own sewing school - Sewing with Gill.

Learn how to fit clothes and alter sewing patterns. Sew clothes you love that fit.

Nancy Zieman's pattern fitting approach is easy - no cutting, slashing, tucking or pinching—just logical and easy pivot-and-slide techniques, providing a painless method to follow that results in a garment that is comfortable and attractive. Once you learn Nancy's techniques for fitting, you will find it easy to make every garment you sew fit your size and shape. Multiple fitting charts are included in the book, as well as an index for locating technical information at a glance.

If you’ve ever watched Project Runway and wished you were a contestant, or you’re simply ready to take your sewing to a new level, Design-It-Yourself Clothes teaches you the fundamentals of modern patternmaking so that you, too, can create your own inspired clothing. Until now, the aspiring DIY fashionista has been hard-pressed to find self-teaching tools other than dry textbooks or books with outdated looks. Finally, in Design-It-Yourself Clothes, former Urban Outfitters designer Cal Patch brings her youthful aesthetic to a how-to book. If you want to wear something you can’t find on store racks and make clothes that express your individual style, or if you’ve reached a sewing plateau and want to add pattern drafting to your repertoire, Design-It-Yourself Clothes is the book you have been waiting for. In five key projects (each with four variations)–a perfect-fitting dress, T-shirt, button-down shirt, A-line skirt, and pants–Patch shares the art of patternmaking. At its core, it’s much simpler than you think. Patch covers everything an intermediate sewer needs to know in order to become a fabulous fashion designer, from designing the patterns, taking your own measurements, and choosing fabrics to actually sewing the clothing. You will also learn how to stylize patterns by using darts, waistbands, patch pockets, and ruffles. Patch offers tips, explanations, options, and exercises throughout that will make the design process that much easier. But besides showing you how to create clothing from scratch, she also teaches you how to rub off patterns from existing clothing–so if you have a pair of pants that you love but are worn out, or you have your eye on a piece in the store with a prohibitive price tag, you can figure out how to get the looks you want by using your own two hands.

Fitting is more than learning how to adjust patterns. It is achieving a feeling of self-confidence that comes from knowing that your clothes are comfortable and attractive. Well-fitted garments that are oversized look fashionably loose-fitting rather than baggy; garments that are close to the body allow you to move comfortably because they are not binding. Whatever the style, a good fit eliminates unattractive wrinkles and gaping that draw attentions to problems. The Perfect Fit comes packed with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step colour photography that will help you master the art of fitting in no time. When you have successfully completed fitting adjustments on one pattern, you can take similar steps with other patterns and gradually develop expertise through experience. In the process you will educate your eye to see additional improvements worth making. Every time you work through a fitting technique featured in The Perfect Fit you will learn something of value. Compiled by the editors of Creative Publishing international (CPi).

Ahead of the Curve is the first sewing book to empower curvy and plus size women to feel body confident by sewing a wardrobe that fits. Don’t change your body to fit your clothes – change your clothes to fit your body! Ahead of the Curve includes 5 basic garment patterns (UK sizes 16–36/US size 12–32/EUR sizes 44–64), which includes a pair of trousers, a t-shirt, a sleeveless top and two dress designs. Jenny takes you through a series of “Fit Clinics” – tutorials and case studies demystifying the fitting process – showing you how to adjust these patterns to master the perfect fit for your body shape. Once you have got to grips with this, you can go on to customize your closet and create an unlimited array of fantastic clothes that celebrate your body. If you’re curvy or plus size, trying to find clothes that fit and reflect your personal style can be incredibly difficult and frustrating. Plus size women feel constantly excluded and like they can’t express their personality through clothes. This book finally changes that.

This pattern book features step-by-step instructions on fitting and sewing pants for women of all body types using the twin techniques of tissue fitting and fabric fitting. Important sewing choices are highlighted, including choosing fabrics, selecting appropriate alteration tools, and finding styles that are most flattering. The fit-as-you-sew process of making pants is illustrated with progressive photographs and step-by-step illustrations. A variety of styles are covered, including nonroll, expandable, and contour waistbands; side seam and patched pockets; and easy hems and cuffs. This updated second edition features refinements to the fitting and sewing information and has added instructions on the fitting and sewing of jeans and no-side-seam pants.