An easy way to look at CUSTOM FITTING SEWING PATTERNS to your body – Pattern size vs garment fit?

When your learning to custom fit sewing patterns and make pattern adjustments to fit on yourself, it helps to understand what you should be starting with. And how to look at the difference between garment fit and pattern size... Let me show you a beginner-friendly approach!

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Until next time
Evelyn

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#sewing #learntosew #evelynwood

[Evelyn__Wood]

I hope this gives you a 'simple' way to look at pattern fitting! 😀Tell me, what are your fitting issues? what do you struggle with?

[MicheleBonna]

I think a common problem is that we get excited to finish a project and don't take the time to step back and give yourself a little time to evaluate before moving on. :) When I pace myself and give myself permission to take that time I find the answers to many problems become much clearer than when feeling that desire to just finish it and wearing it already! :) I have saved many a project from the "dead files" where well meant projects are left to wither, waiting on inspiration that never comes by just giving myself a rest for a day doing other things and reevaluating the situation later.
This saves me so much needless seam ripping and adjusting and lets me see the garment/project as a whole, rather than focusing on that trouble spot. I remember having trouble with a sleeve, and because I have very large upper arms proportionately, I assumed the problem was with the arm scythe, but when I came back to it and looked at the whole dress, I could see I needed more room in the back, rather than messing with arm scythes and shoulder caps. I was so focused on what I assumed was the problem area, I almost made some fairly serious and unchangeable alterations that wouldn't have helped anyway.
And I thought children taught me patience! LOL. Nope.. sewing seems to be the great teacher in that for me. :)
Also, Good morning! (I am in the States..so you are just heading to bed I think? Math and I are not dear friends LOL)

[cindysuter]

Thank you. The suggestion of a choosing smaller size and adjusting the hip toward a larger size was valuable to me.

[liessabai]

This is such a nice video. My mom made lots of clothes for us, and she would regularly adjust or combine two sizes of the original pattern. Her pieces were so neat that I was sometimes asked where I bought the clothes I was wearing ;)

[teresaaltman]

Yes this makes great sense! I can definitely see how adding girth in the waist and hip could be easier that sizing down the bodice! Thank you!

[oliviaharrison]

This video had me yelling at the screen, “you’re a genius!” Was really frustrated trying to learn how to adjust the top of a dress pattern and you helped me realize… I can just use the size down for the top. Felt like a ding dong, but THANK YOU! Haha. Learning how to be more patient and thoughtful with projects through sewing, that’s for sure. 💕

[ginette]

This video made a great difference in the way I approach a project, for instance my waist and hip are of size 12 and my bust line nearly size 14. After your video I went for a size 14 and narrowed in the waist and curve of the hips. This made so much more sense. Please do more detailed videos on example of possible adjustments like this.

[shaidabegum.]

Always choose a pattern that fits your upper body (bust, armhole, shoulder) because there's too many adjustments needed. Waist and hips are much easier to grade up or down.

[mariontilton]

Hi Evelyn, I have really fat flabby upper arms and have lots of trouble fitting sleeves. I would love some guides for this. 😶

[CBmiami]

I found my greatest learning experience in sewing was being stuck in Cambodia having to hand sew my clothes with no pattern ! Surprisingly, not only was I able to sew nice fitting clothes for my body but I lost my fear about sewing without guidance. If I made a mistake and I made many, I would just unpick and recut if necessary and try a new tactic. Sewing by hand and cutting without a pattern trains your eye and hand to really look at the overall picture 😀

[LindaStitches]

Thank you for your excellent instruction! I have been sewing almost 50 years (WOW!) and I still have fitting questions. 😊

[pannistevinkel]

Evelyn, I've been looking for you for weeks. Since now, you're fully responsible for my sewing progress! <3 Thank you for all of your videos!

[teescoffee]

Your fitting videos are very informative. I’m going to sew a simple top but I haven’t sewn garments for myself in decades. Thank you!

[lindaabraham]

When I choose a pattern, first I keep in mind the purpose of the garment, the principles that will make the garment flattering on my particular figure, and the silhouette that attracted me to the specific pattern. Then, trace the tissue pattern onto tracing paper and use the copy to get a rough fitting on my dress form. After adjusting the pattern, I make another copy, check it, cut it out in muslin, add markings with contrast basting thread, staystitch and clip curves, baste the front and back together, and fit on the form. Then, back to adjusting the pattern, etc. Only when I think it is perfect do I cut it out in the final fabric.

[thebratqueen]

This was so well explained. I went from not knowing a thing about fit vs size to now feeling like I can at least speak somewhat knowledgeably about it. (My sewing skills are still too new for me to say I can sew it! :D ) You have a great way of anticipating questions too. There were a couple of times while watching this I was like "I should remember to ask XYZ in the comments..." and sure enough the next thing you said was the answer to that question.

Another one for my learning to sew playlist!

[tracybrooks]

This makes a lot of sense to me. I’m smaller on top but bigger hipped. I’m going to get a tailors dummy as I think this will help me.
Thanks x

[carolevenne]

I’m the same as you with sizing bust is standard gives me a size 16, but when I look at the waist and hips it gives me a bigger size.. all and all I need to go on a diet...love your video I have learned a lot... I will become a member of your vintage sewing school

[zmttbqu]

I'm tall and thin, which means pattern proportions are never right. Most tutorials only show how to add length to sleeves and hem, but tall people aren't just short people with two meter legs!! The extra length should be distributed evenly to keep bust, waist and hip lines in their correct places. That's very hard to do, with all the darts and so.

[loriar]

I'm not a new sewer but I still really struggle with this. I always end up ripping and adjusting and not always with satisfactory results! This video was really helpful! I've been making nightgowns lately, partly because I needed some new ones but also they're very forgiving on size. But I want to make some more dresses. In our warm Texas climate, dresses are so much more comfortable and less judgmenta 😜 on a pudgy tummy than shorts.

[marathorne]

A simple point, but so powerful! Funny how obvious things aren't obvious until somebody points them out 😉