Why Your Sewn Garments Don't Fit! Four Books To Help You

Why Your Sewn Garments Don't Fit!
Want to take your sewing skills to the next level? In this video, I share my top 4 recommended books for mastering garment fitting! Whether you're a beginner or looking to perfect your fit, these books will guide you step-by-step. Learn why understanding fit is crucial for creating garments that look and feel amazing. Ready to sew clothes that truly suit you? Let’s dive in!

📚 Featured Books:
1️⃣ Fit For Real People by Pati Palmer
2️⃣ Pants For Real People by Pati Palmer
3️⃣ Pattern Fitting With Confidence by Nancy Zieman
4️⃣ The Fitting Book by Gina Renee Dunham

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[splibragirl]

All points are so valid! When I went to school for fashion designing (in 2001) one of my professors swore by the most basic book "Fabulous Fit" by Judith Rasband. She is also a legend from the late 1900s to the early 2000s. I remember as a kid looking forward to PBS and Nancy's segments! I will occasionally pull those books out to double-check my processes, and even look at my old notes. Sewing for years or months we all have to continuously re-learn how to fit our bodies. I know mine changes almost every other year. I made about six of your patterns about three years ago AND took them all apart this year to adjust the fit on all of them so I can keep wearing them. Thank you for always helping us feel "normal" and seen lol. You are amazing at what you do and I'm grateful I have a mimiG now!

[kimbrachet]

18:22 I read about the process of producing a couture Channel jacket - 31 measurements & at least 2 fittings! If people with the finest skills in the industry making a straight cut jacket that hasn’t fundamentally changed in decades taking 31 measurements still need multiple fittings, we should all give ourselves more grace and patience when customizing standard patterns to our unique bodies

[rerelat]

I would like to see you make the adjustments. I think that would be good content. Also I struggle with this and have most of these books. I guess I’m more visual.

[reynnageorge]

I do the test garment it a blessing and saves me the tears later.

[AdriaCanSew]

Right on time, thank you! Fit is the reason I put my sewing on pause.

[joyscranfield]

My Home Ec. teacher, 196?, always told us "IF you can read, you can do anything." I agree but also know visual learners need to see the process, too.
I had at least 3 of these books before our house fire 12/8/23; I'll start looking for them at a good used book store. Thank you Mini G! Love your videos.

[jodyrhoton]

Mimi, the way you talk and teach, I feel like we’ve know each other for years. Thank you for teaching this old sewer new tricks. I have a degree in home economics but I’ve learned a lot more practical things from you.

[deeperrydesigns]

Yes, Mimi, Books! As a library worker, I support books! Thanks for all the details! 🥰

[amyg]

Nancy Zieman's table for buying the right size using your measurement arm crease to arm crease totally changed how my clothes fit from a foundational point - total game changer. Another great book is The Sew/Fit Manual by Ruth Oblander and Joan Anderson. It is what the pivot and slide method is built upon. My mother always said you can sew with $100 a yard fabric and it will look cheap and sloppy if it doesn't fit well - or $1.00 a yard fabric that fits impeccably will look like a million dollars.

[arlenemurphy]

Totally agree with you…I’m 79 and just figuring out the fit bit. Just because you are a 14 dress size doesn’t mean you are a size 14 pattern size. 😂😂😂. Looking forward to your videos

[sewzolamarie]

Finally! As a former retail fabric store employee (JoAnn's) I spent many, many shifts explaining how to pick the right size pattern, choose the right fabric for the pattern, and to learn to fit themselves by reading (gasp!) a book on fit, specifically the ones you mentioned! Do you know how many people would come in complaining about how this didn't fit, that fabric was awful, etc. . . ?! Those books you mentioned are in my home sewing library along with all the other Palmer/Pletsch line of books - they are invaluable IMO. And I learned the pivot and slide method from Nancy Zieman, God rest her soul! I've been sewing since Mrs. Dunn (also God rest her soul) taught me in 7th grade in 1974. . . These books may also be found in local libraries, FYI Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for addressing all this! 😅

[ginavega]

There was a day I could pick a pattern and make it without worry about fit. I was probably a size 6 in ready to wear and a stick figure. Not any more! Picking up sewing again decades later because I know how to sew but now I’m new or relearning to fit. Fabric is so expensive and it has to be right before you cut it! Thank you for your clear instructions and tips.

[jskohut]

Yes! Muslins are the way. I used to hate it, skip it. Not anymore. No wasting my nice fabric because I was too impatient. It's the only way I've found to make the most accurate fit adjustments. I have a few of those books, too! Between YouTube University and the books I've been making great progress.

[LovingHandsDesign]

I’ve missed you on YouTube, I’ve missed this 😊😊 you’re funny. Thank you ☺️ ❤ I’ve been sewing for over 50 years and patterns have seriously changed since I was 9, 19. The information you are providing is so needed by so many including myself 😂. I have the one Patience Palmer book, the pants one is sitting in my Amazon cart as I watch you. I took my sisters Nancy Zeiman book and totally have used it and love it. All great books. FYI, tissue fitting isn’t for everyone, however, I do it and each time I have, especially with family members, spot on every time. I’m learning my body more as you say and love sewing that muslin, it’s a must especially on new sews. I write on my muslins, that way for the future I know what I did.

[Tigre_]

This is just what I needed to move forward with my sewing projects. I can't wait for your video on how to choose the right size pattern which has been my major deterrent.

[SallieandSamStyle]

Great advice! I had to learn to sew and fit simultaneously because I exclusively self-drafted at the beginning of my sewing journey. Now that I use commercial patterns I am so grateful that I figured out fit in the beginning because I’m not dependent on what the pattern gives, I can make it my own 💕

[nicoled]

I love the fitting book! I like that Gina shows you how to make the same alteration on several different design styles:) (sometimes I know what I need to do, but not how to do it on a princess seam for example)
Also a good thing to remember when starting out is that the problem to be fixed is the pattern, NOT your body! It can be a real hurdle when we get down on ourselves thinking our hips are too big/boobs are too small etc etc. remember y’all you are perfect, we just gotta make the pattern perfect too❤

[gailthecrafter]

It was Nancy’s fitting book when the light for me came on about measuring your back. For me that was a game changer.

[JustinPEtn]

I used to get so frustrated when I first started out. But making mistakes taught me alot. This is a very informative video. Great job✨

[punchfighterthedog]

Thanks for making it seem possible! I bought 3 of the 4 books you recommend. I'm reading The Fitting Book now. I'm excited about the possibilities. Thanks again.