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No wonder I couldn't get anything to fit!
Deb Fox Intermediate FL USA Member since 8/26/05 Posts: 1175	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/14/10 3:42 PM For some reason this weekend I had an epiphany. I have had such a hard time choosing a pattern size for myself. If I go by my measurements, I'm a straight 18 petite with narrow shoulders, but that didn't work. Neither does a 16 with and FBA, etc. I had on a snug fitting T top, so I whipped out the tape measure and measured my front and back separately. I discovered I am a size 20 from side seam to side seam in the front, and a 14 in the back. Most of my size is in the front and I just widen out to a 20 as I move down. I took a size 18/20 pattern and did a narrow upper back adjustment, moving the entire back armhole over by 5/8. I also did a petite adjustment of 3/8 to bring the bust point up, and raised the underarm by 1/2 inch. That brought me to an almost perfect fit, with just a small 5/8 length adjustment to bring the waist up a bit. I did have to narrow the front shoulder, but just took my trusty french curve and redrew the armseye, front and back. I now have to figure out what size sleeve to use, but I think I may start with an 18 and figure out what to do from there. Since most sleeveheads have way too much ease, I may even go down to a 16. I think my first muslin will be a princess seamed McCall blouse pattern. I've tried it every possible size and just couldn't get anything that even remotely fit better that RTW, which doesn't fit at all! ------ Deb: www.thinkingcouture.blogspot.com
frame Advanced USA Member since 2/19/04 Posts: 2039	Login to reply to this post In reply to Deb Fox Like this post Date: 9/14/10 4:00 PM Good for You!! This is what it takes to get a good fit. You have to know your own body. I think people get all caught up in the numbers and how they are "supposed" to make adjustments and they forget that fitting books are just guidelines. Little helps to get us on our way. The key is to use the tools or "guidelines" and make them work for you. Whatever that is. What an exciting moment for you. ------ "framed" was taken
Margasweet   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 2/15/05 Posts: 721	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: No wonder I couldnt get anything to fit! Date: 9/14/10 7:30 PM Wonderful!! How did you figure out what the front & back sizes are--measured on the pattern pieces, or did you halve the listed measurements? I'm thinking this might help me, also, and I'm hoping you'll share how you came up with the front & back sizes. Thanks. Marguerite ------ 2007 fabric in: 7 1/2 yards; sewn: 7 yds 2008 fabric in, 23 yards; sewn 20 yds; given away 6 yds 2009 fabric in 41 1/4 yds, sewn 29 yds, given away 22 1/2 yds 2010 fabric in 91 1/2 yds, sewn 27 yds, given away 1 1/2 yds; 2011 fabric in: 55 yd.; sewn: 21 yd; given away: 20 yd 2012 fabric in: 60 1/4 yd., sewn 25 1/4 yds, given away 16 yds, thrown away 3 yds scraps 2012 UFOs completed: 7 2013 fabric in: 23 yds 2013 fabric sewn: 10.7 yds. 2013 fabric given away: 3 yd.s 2013 projects completed: shower curtain liner (4 yd), travel chess board (1 yd), drapey vest (1.7 yd) 2013 projects started: princess-seamed tank top 2013 UFOs completed: 2 (fleece vest, blue squares lap quilt)
AnneM Intermediate MA USA Member since 7/30/02 Posts: 6556	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: No wonder I couldnt get anything to fit! Date: 9/14/10 7:31 PM Congratulations! That is a wonderful discovery for you. I bet it will inspire some others to think 'outside the pattern sizing charts' as well. ------ With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
MNBarb   Intermediate MN USA Member since 4/3/10 Posts: 1521	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/14/10 8:19 PM Yay! Fitting is the challenge. After reading this I wonder if I have just the opposite problem, little in front wider in back. I'm going to measure next time I make a top. Thanks! ------ Barb "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison "I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
Lynnelle   Intermediate MI USA Member since 4/8/07 Posts: 2375 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post In reply to Deb Fox Like this post Date: 9/14/10 9:16 PM I've known this about myself for a while and have had mixed results. Your post encourages me to try again. Recently, my friend Therisa helped me to fit a woven blouse. I have yet to sew up the most recent changes, though. I want to tell you that doing a full bicep adjustment helped to relieve some of the pulling I always seem to get near the armhole. It appears as if the sleeve was borrowing fabric to fit around my bicep. I look forward to your updates.
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6985	Login to reply to this post In reply to Deb Fox Like this post Date: 9/14/10 10:02 PM How did you measure yourself separately? Did you wrap the tape around as one would normally do and then look to see what number it was on your side seams? How do you know your sideseams were straight? I'm so curious, as I've been wanting to do this for some time. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
GlButterfly Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/28/08 Posts: 2388	Login to reply to this post In reply to Miss Fairchild Like this post Date: 9/15/10 2:14 AM Nature has given us a center front and a center back marking. I always also wanted some side seam and shoulders indications. I know I have a broad back and have to add for it. So far I have used a bodice which has the side seam dividing the body properly (even if the garment is a little tight---should still work). Then carefully lift the top and put a removeable mark where the seam is and that should be a divider. The only other thing I've done is to make the back larger, then pin it out a little at a time until I know that I cannot make it any smaller. Neither of these methods is fullproof and I also would like to know an easier way. ------ I have not yet begun to procrastinate
Vibekeinyork Intermediate Member since 7/11/06 Posts: 838	Login to reply to this post In reply to Deb Fox Like this post Date: 9/15/10 2:35 AM That is wonderful and good on you for thinking outside the box (pattern size charts).
no7262 Beginner NJ USA Member since 6/5/09 Posts: 1341	Login to reply to this post In reply to Deb Fox Like this post Date: 9/15/10 7:11 AM Deb, That is so wonderful! I can't wait to see your first garment! Congrat's on figuring this out! Nora :) ------ Nora :)

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