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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 9/30/09 10:43 PM ET
Help!! I am a frustrated new sewer. I have taken a beginning sewing class which taught me basic stitching techniques and now I am trying to go further. I am working on a basic princess seam blouse, and have had somebody fit me. Now comes the hard part, taking their fits (adding tissue and in some cases pinching some away, as well as modifying the shoulder) and making the next tissue or muslin. How do I learn to do this properly. I am spending hours and it isn't right. I am getting so frustrated!!! Any tips on how to learn the fitting/modifications part? The places around me do plenty of sewing classes, but they are more techniques.
Sorry if this is on the wrong board, I thought it was more of a beginner question.
Sorry if this is on the wrong board, I thought it was more of a beginner question.
Posted on: 10/1/09 0:29 AM ET
In reply to newbie2008
Go to threads magazine online and look up info on fitting.
Read all you can. I love, love, love, Threads fitting dvds and learned so much from them although I knew alot already.
I teach basic fitting along with sewing.
Studying your garments that fit you well is one of your best sources for how garments should look and fit.
Immerse yourself in fitting books from the library and dvds.
Pattern making books have great info.
Fitting is a long process to learn to do properly and requires years of diligent study and practice. It's not easy and tends to be laborious but it makes all the difference.
I still dread dread dread fitting myself and for that reason I only make up a limited amount of patterns. I have about 8 that are perfected and I constantly use them over and over again. A bit boring I must say but I try to be creative when I make my 30th skirt in the same pattern...
I use to be a patternmaker as well...go figure!
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Read all you can. I love, love, love, Threads fitting dvds and learned so much from them although I knew alot already.
I teach basic fitting along with sewing.
Studying your garments that fit you well is one of your best sources for how garments should look and fit.
Immerse yourself in fitting books from the library and dvds.
Pattern making books have great info.
Fitting is a long process to learn to do properly and requires years of diligent study and practice. It's not easy and tends to be laborious but it makes all the difference.
I still dread dread dread fitting myself and for that reason I only make up a limited amount of patterns. I have about 8 that are perfected and I constantly use them over and over again. A bit boring I must say but I try to be creative when I make my 30th skirt in the same pattern...
I use to be a patternmaker as well...go figure!
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"I am still learning" ~ Michelangelo
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
Posted on: 10/1/09 0:47 AM ET
patience.
I myself have only just discovered fitting and pattern modifications, even though I have been sewing for years -- and I'm developing a bit of an obsession.
Two books are frequently recommended, try finding them in your library before acquiring them (and check what others say about these on the boards):
Fast fit by Sandra Betzina
Fit For REal People from Palmer/Pletsch
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I myself have only just discovered fitting and pattern modifications, even though I have been sewing for years -- and I'm developing a bit of an obsession.
Two books are frequently recommended, try finding them in your library before acquiring them (and check what others say about these on the boards):
Fast fit by Sandra Betzina
Fit For REal People from Palmer/Pletsch
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http://strickeritis.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 10/1/09 8:23 AM ET
yes, i share your feelings!
two things have helped me more than books:
--- DVDs (i have one from Palmer/Pletsch, but i would trust anything Eve said, and I would also do a search through the reviews section. and I'd check my library, too.)
-- the muslin fitting classes on PR. there is one on skirts starting next week, and i'm taking it.
seeing things done in DVDs, and getting close supervision, in a PR class, have gotten me started, although i have a long, long way to go.
you can do it!
elizabeth
two things have helped me more than books:
--- DVDs (i have one from Palmer/Pletsch, but i would trust anything Eve said, and I would also do a search through the reviews section. and I'd check my library, too.)
-- the muslin fitting classes on PR. there is one on skirts starting next week, and i'm taking it.
seeing things done in DVDs, and getting close supervision, in a PR class, have gotten me started, although i have a long, long way to go.
you can do it!
elizabeth
Posted on: 10/1/09 8:54 AM ET
There's some great info online, but I think you'd be well-served to invest in a book or two. It's much easier to have a good reference by your side as you sew than to have to search out the 'net every time you have an issue.
Along with FFRP and Fast Fit, I'd also like to throw The Perfect Fit into the mix. Great little fitting book with diagnosis photos on muslins (not tissue) and simple alteration instructions. I cross reference between the 3 when I'm doing fittings.
You can probably find at least one of these at your local library to check into. If you'd like to invest in one or more, check out the used copies online. You can frequently get great books for under $10 if you do some shopping around.
HTH!
Eve
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Along with FFRP and Fast Fit, I'd also like to throw The Perfect Fit into the mix. Great little fitting book with diagnosis photos on muslins (not tissue) and simple alteration instructions. I cross reference between the 3 when I'm doing fittings.
You can probably find at least one of these at your local library to check into. If you'd like to invest in one or more, check out the used copies online. You can frequently get great books for under $10 if you do some shopping around.
HTH!
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 10/1/09 10:01 AM ET
In reply to newbie2008
Newbie, you are definitely in the right place. I sure understand your frustration. Sewing something takes times...sewing something that fits nicely takes more time than I had imagined. Sounds like you got some great advice. I had to find books that worked for me...Fit for Real People and also The Perfect Fit. DVDs from the library were good for a visual learner like me. Then it was the tedious pattern work translating the changes to my pattern. Sarah Veblen really taught me to take time and be precise with this part. I hated it and still do but she's so right. What that means for me is first making sure I understand that the cutting line I use to cut out my fabric is just that, the cutting line. The stitching line is the really significant part to pay attention to in the process. I was used to just adding on at tight spots and taking in at wide places. Sarah made us measure those pinned sample garments, carefully mark our pattern, adding paper along seam lines where needed, and then remark our stitching lines and cutting lines. It's slow, boring and oh so right. I remember Sarh saying once you've done these changes, then you can sew something new so esily, just tweaking fit as you go,...and she was right.
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www.luckysewandsew.blogspot.com
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