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Fitting Resources? Body Type or Alterations
sagittmama Intermediate AZ USA Member since 3/17/11 Posts: 46	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/28/12 4:25 PM I tried searching and maybe I'm looking in the wrong place or that sort. What is your go-to for fitting resources? My MIL tells me I have pear shape when I feel like I have more of hourglass/curvy shape. Not sure what she means by that. Plus some of us here talk about narrow shoulder, short waist, sway back, FBA, croquis, etc. Huh? Almost like a whole 'nother language! Any help is appreciated! Anything with pictures is great as I'm a visual learner as opposed to heavy text based reading. I'm absorbing as much as I can! I think mainly due to that I recently made a muslin of my mom's pattern (size 10) and hope to sew a real piece sometimes soon after I have a fabric picked out. I THINK this is Simplicity 4589 but have the envelope returned to her and traced out all of size 10 pieces for future makes. One of the view I made fits pretty good, just need to add some room for my ladies and add some length so the hem doesn't stop short, I guess to compensate for having a large bust. I'm learning how to fit myself and such. Also, my mother in law says you HAVE to have at least two people to do the fittings. Is that true? Isn't that what dress forms are for? I've thought about getting myself one if I seem to continue making more garments. ------ Risa www.risashoebox.com
NhiHuynh   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/4/11 Posts: 593	Login to reply to this post In reply to sagittmama << Like this post Date: 6/28/12 5:08 PM My personal experience is that the crazy terminology and rules really makes sewing more complicated (and less fun) than is necessary. Your best resource is using your noodle and a mirror. Since you're a visual learner I would recommend you watch a couple of fitting videos by Peggy Sager's. She also has one on fitting yourself by yourself. -- Edited on 6/29/12 12:42 PM --
sagittmama Intermediate AZ USA Member since 3/17/11 Posts: 46	Login to reply to this post In reply to NhiHuynh << Like this post Date: 6/28/12 5:49 PM Hmm, appears to me the link is broken. You might be right with the terminology. I try not to pay much mind to that. I went with my gut instinct with the fittings of my latest muslin so maybe that in itself is the right way for me to take my next fittings. I do have few projects I hope to work on in the future and figured I would start with a straight out of envelop muslin of my size and go from there. We shall see! ------ Risa www.risashoebox.com
Lena Merrin Expert/Couture AUSTRALIA Member since 2/5/09 Posts: 477	Login to reply to this post In reply to sagittmama << Like this post Date: 6/28/12 6:47 PM In a perfect world we all would have a sewing buddyIn this world we get by on our own ------ www.thesewingspace.com
Debbie Lancaster   Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/02 Posts: 1661	Login to reply to this post In reply to sagittmama << Like this post Date: 6/29/12 11:40 AM The correct link: Peggy Sagers web casts ------ Debbie
NhiHuynh   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/4/11 Posts: 593	Login to reply to this post In reply to Debbie Lancaster << Like this post Date: 6/29/12 12:43 PM Thanks Debbie. Bad cut and paste job by me. I had an extra http:// I've fixed my link also.
Dianne22   Advanced Beginner TX USA Member since 3/18/11 Posts: 51	Login to reply to this post In reply to sagittmama << Like this post Date: 6/29/12 2:52 PM As a brief and general discussion of "pear" vs "hourglass" shape, measure your shoulders (not your bust), waist, and hips (measure at the widest part whether your hips are high or low, i.e. the thigh area). The pear will have a smaller shoulder measurement than the hips with the waist being about 8-10" smaller than the hip. The hourglass will have approximately the same measurement at the shoulder and hip with an 8-10" smaller measurement at the waist. Either shape may have a full bust and would then need a full bust adjustment (known as an FBA ) or a small bust needing a small bust adjustment (known as an SBA) so don't use the bust as a deciding factor. Many books that teach people how to sew or fit clothes include instruction for making these adjustments. Previous posters were right to steer you to experts like Peggy Saeger, as well as Palmer & Plesch, and Sarah Veblen for great information on how to fit. They have wonderful videos and books that will show you what to look for. As for needing 2 people, it is soooooo much easier if you have 2 people, but in reality most of us don't have another experienced person to help. If your husband or neighbor doesn't sew, they probably won't be able to tell you what those "drag lines" mean. But you can teach yourself (or them) what to look for. Now that you're asleep from this drone, good luck! :sleeping:
Nancy K Advanced NY USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 7583	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/30/12 7:26 AM It's easier to have a fitting buddy, but you can certainly fit yourself, it just takes longer. A good 3 way mirror is very helpful, but a good handheld mirror and a full length mirror is also doable. I don't know anyone who sews garments near me and so I'd never sew if I couldn't fit myself. I do suggest getting a good fitting book. I used to recommend Palmer Pletsch's Fit For Any Body, but Sarah Veblen just came out with the Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting and it is excellent. By far the best book I've seen on fitting and I have most of them. She not only has the best photos, she has excellent, step by step directions on fitting your muslin and then transferring the changes. Best sleeve fitting directions I've seen as well. Try to remember that learning to fit is a process and the more you do it the better you will get. ------ www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
sagittmama Intermediate AZ USA Member since 3/17/11 Posts: 46	Login to reply to this post In reply to Dianne22 << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/2/12 0:05 AM Dianne, thanks for the pointer! Based on your descriptions, I'm an hourglass. I have nearly exact shoulder/hip measurement, like within 1/4" and my waist is 10 inches smaller. I measured at the widest point of my hip. Good to know about the names you threw out. Let's see, I actually don't have many people who sew though my mom does sew. I'm sure we could learn together. ------ Risa www.risashoebox.com
sagittmama Intermediate AZ USA Member since 3/17/11 Posts: 46	Login to reply to this post In reply to Nancy K << Like this post Date: 7/2/12 0:09 AM Nancy, thanks for the info about Sarah's book. That is especially helpful. I will definitely look into 'em. Plus it might be good to keep in mind for wish list for xmas, MIL always ask me for some ideas. Yes, definitely will keep in mind that fitting is a process. I mean, the more you sew, the more you put it in practice, correct? ------ Risa www.risashoebox.com

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