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Member since 7/18/09
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Posted on: 12/21/17 11:52 PM ET
Poring over the threads on PR every day have made me much more aware of my fitting issues. This is definitely a good thing, and it has improved the quality of my garments, but sometimes it is also frustrating as I try to resolve all sorts of onscure fitting issues.

I have started noticing that the top of my left arm, at the shoulder, seems to bulge more than the right. I know a picture would help and I will try to take and post one. In the meantime, from what I've read, my left shoulder may be broader and is pulling the fabric from the sleeve to accommodate the broadness. Does it make sense that years of carrying briefcases and totes have made that side a little more broad than the right?

I'm also wondering if it could be upper arm development. I will try to get DH to take a picture tomorrow but I wanted to at least get the question out there now.
  
Member since 11/25/11
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Posted on: 12/22/17 0:05 AM ET
No one is exactly symmetrical. The left hand is usually larger than the right, same with the feet. Not at all surprising that one shoulder may be bigger, especially if you work that side harder than the other.
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Measure twice, cut once. While this saying is useful in many ways, I have no qualms about editing my posts.
  
Member since 1/15/17
Posts: 1827
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Posted on: 12/22/17 0:50 AM ET
Whether it's related to work or not, chances are that you aren't symmetrical. If you look carefully, you will note many asymmetries, e.g. that the shoulder slope of many people aren't entirely identical as are the shape of curves from waist to knee. The vast majority of people won't notice but we who sew often spot it right away.
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For 2019 committed to:
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).

2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
  
Member since 12/2/08
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Posted on: 12/22/17 1:38 AM ET
Yep, entirely possible! The older I get the more mods I have to do, unfortunately. After I lost the baby weight after childbirth, many moons ago, I had one hip higher than the other that I swore was never there before! It's not so bad that it causes wrinkles in my pants, but I know it's there. If you have to do some alterations to one side of the shoulder, it can be done, but that might mean tracing off the pattern, making the mod to the one side, and cutting your fabric in single layer to accommodate the one shoulder.

-- Edited on 12/22/17 at 2:01 AM --
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Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
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Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 12/22/17 3:38 AM ET
In reply to rieski
Certainly possible. My left shoulder is 1.125 longer than the right. Easy trick for cutting for that on folded fabric is to cut the shoulders symmetrically for the longer shoulder, then recut the unfolded fabric for the shorter shoulder. Or just cut single ply.
  
Member since 8/26/09
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Posted on: 12/22/17 12:06 PM ET
This is going to be one part idea and one part question for those with more fitting experience.....

Would it make any sense to try and just add a small amount of shoulder padding to even up the garment and look, rather than highlighting it by carefully fitting for uneven shoulders?
  
Member since 8/28/08
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Posted on: 12/22/17 1:36 PM ET
This is certainly possible and a good idea. She may also have to make that shoulder a bit wider and other adjustments, depending on what is needed.
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Member since 1/27/15
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Posted on: 12/22/17 1:38 PM ET
I have to do a sloping shoulder adjustment on one side - scoliosis is to blame. It makes my clothing hang so much better that I will do alterations of RTW items also.
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Member since 3/24/04
Posts: 26392
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Posted on: 12/22/17 2:13 PM ET
In reply to GwenH
If the difference is small, you can often just split the difference and call it good on both sides. For a medium amount, like 1/2", adjustment with a (probably raglan) shoulder pad makes a lot of sense. For larger amounts like mine, I find it best to fit it to each side separately, but not overfit. But you're the expert on your own body and on what you like, so the choice is what you think is best.

I find no one seems to notice symmetry differences if you're moving with confidence, and the best way I know to increase the confidence is to be happy with what you've done, so any solution you come up with is fine with me.
  
Member since 3/24/04
Posts: 26392
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Posted on: 12/22/17 2:17 PM ET
In reply to shoes15
Same boat here. I find the diagonal wrinkles in symmetrical clothes on an asymmetrical body much more obvious than the visual differences between right and left on a custom garment or alteration.

And then you can also add visual confusion with a splashy print, or a plaid on bias or any of a number of other tricks we who sew can devise.
  
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