How To Make Dress Patterns That Fit Perfectly

Express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for you and your body! Maybe you learned to sew in school and have a sewing machine, but it hasn't seen the outside of the closet since your last move. Or maybe you are completely new to the craft, with a lot of enthusiasm, but no idea how to thread your machine. No matter where you're coming from in terms of experience, this sewing workbook offers four basic patterns--two tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants--that empower you to express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for your body type. After explaining the basic concepts of sewing and construction, 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip then provides suggestions for mixing the basic patterns together to create new garment iterations as you gain confidence--structural adjustments such as full bust, no bust, long torso, big, small, etc., as well as a range of possible alterations and embellishments including sleeves, pockets, hems, and more! Going beyond simple pattern instructions, this book will make sewing garments accessible for every body type--each pattern comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. With inspiring essays on Sonya's sewing philosophy that speak to the slow and ethical fashion movement, this will be the go-to guide for all aspirational and seasoned sewists.

How to Make Sewing Patterns solves the mysteries of pattern drafting with easy, step-by-step instructions and clear line drawings that show how to create custom-fit garments in a wide range of designs. The book's detailed instructions on measuring and fitting include do-it-yourself photographs as well as directions for creating custom dress forms. "Don McCunn has certainly mastered pattern drafting and fitting a wide range of bodies. Whether or not you have taken pattern drafting in a class, this book is a good reference in a very readable style. I especially liked the exacting instructions on taking measurements on the body and the solution for side seams which are not perpendicular to the floor." --Sandra Betzina, the power behind Power Sewing. --Author of 10 sewing books, a syndicated columnist, --and host of HGTV's "Sew Perfect." "Beyond the impressive range of material in How to Make Sewing Patterns is the author's obvious concern that readers understand what they are doing and why. There are many helpful tips throughout the book, some quite clever and unexpected. "The section on drafting a sloper contains excellent explanations of the various body contours, measuring, and fitting. Text, drawings, and photos of the human body from every angle illustrate the various interrelated contours and just how a pattern accommodates them. He even gives detailed instructions on how to measure and fit yourself." --Threads Magazine "McCunn's book dispels the mysteries of pattern drafting, an area which was once the province of the couturier. A do-it-yourself text in which lessons build upon one another, this book provides detailed guides to creating patterns." --Library Journal "The most readable pattern drafting book I've found. The drawings are the simplest line drawings possible but executed with concise purpose." --Whole Earth Catalog "Donald McCunn leads the beginning seamstress or the advanced into pattern drafting via a thorough introduction. He shows that drafting is easy if each step is clearly related to the final outcome and if the drafter visualizes what he or she is doing." --Christian Science Monitor

“Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web’s most popular sewing blogs.” —Creativebug Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch’s modern reinvention of this simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm. Chapters include: Supplies and Tools Fabrics Getting Ready to Sew Dress Construction: The Basics Dress Construction: Essential Skills Trims and Flourishes Fitting In the ’50s and ’60s, Simplicity released their popular line of Jiffy sewing patterns, which had minimal pattern pieces and simple constructions, yet were chic enough for fashion-conscious customers. This approach appeals now more than ever as stylish women are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives filled with family, work, school, and countless other obligations. With the lessons offered here, you can make a Popover Dress, Chemise Dress, Swirl Dress, Boatneck Dress, and Patio Dress. Everything you need is included: pattern maps, finished garment measurements, and more. Hirsch writes in her introduction, “So why did I write this book? Because I want to show that it’s possible to cultivate real sewing skills without spending days or even weeks on a project. Sewing more projects means more practice!” The vintage aesthetic of these projects will appeal to beginner and expert crafters alike. They stand on their own as great examples of retro fashion. They aren’t just simple sewing projects. So, don’t wait. Start sewing!

Includes text from the previously published title, Fit for real people.

How to Make Sewing Patterns solves the mysteries of pattern drafting with easy, step-by-step instructions and clear line drawings that show how to create custom-fit garments in a wide range of designs. The book s detailed instructions on measuring and fitting include do-it-yourself photographs as well as directions for creating custom dress forms. Don McCunn has certainly mastered pattern drafting and fitting a wide range of bodies. Whether or not you have taken pattern drafting in a class, this book is a good reference in a very readable style. I especially liked the exacting instructions on taking measurements on the body and the solution for side seams which are not perpendicular to the floor. --Sandra Betzina, the power behind power sewing. Author of 10 books, a syndicated column for 37 years, and a host of her own show on HGTV for 6 years. Beyond the impressive range of material in How to Make Sewing Patterns is the author's obvious concern that readers understand what they are doing and why. There are many helpful tips throughout the book, some quite clever and unexpected. The section on drafting a sloper contains excellent explanations of the various body contours, measuring, and fitting. Text, drawings, and photos of the human body from every angle illustrate the various interrelated contours and just how a pattern accommodates them. He even gives detailed instructions on how to measure and fit yourself. --Threads Magazine McCunn's book dispels the mysteries of pattern drafting, an area which was once the province of the couturier. A do-it-yourself text in which lessons build upon one another, this book provides detailed guides to creating patterns. --Library Journal The most readable pattern drafting book I've found. The drawings are the simplest line drawings possible but executed with concise purpose. --Whole Earth Catalog Donald McCunn leads the beginning seamstress or the advanced into pattern drafting via a thorough introduction. He shows that drafting is easy if each step is clearly related to the final outcome and if the drafter visualizes what he or she is doing. --Christian Science Monitor"

Buying or making clothes can be very stressful and difficult. Sometimes there is literally NO standard size that fits properly. The clothes end up too big here, too small there, darts to high or too low, shoulders just don't fit right, and so on. Pattern making is the answer to the problem! Why make your own patterns? The answer is very simple - you will be using your own measurements or the measurements of the person you are wanting to sew for, therefore all the garments you make will fit those particular measurements.This book begins by covering the basics of pattern making - how to take the measurements, then using those measurements to make the original bodice pieces, how to make collars, sleeves and various necklines you can use to make an entire wardrobe of dresses. We will give you a wide variety of dress styles; however once you learn and practice the basics, you will be able to draw patterns that you see in pattern books, clothing in department stores or an item of clothing that you want to design for yourself.

What’s the Secret to Sewing Great-Fitting Garments? The Rub-off—the Insider’s Technique for Creating a Great-Fitting Pattern! Do you love to sew your own clothes but find it difficult to make commercial patterns fit? Has your favorite blouse seen better days but is no longer available in stores? Have you gained or lost weight so that your most flattering skirt doesn’t fit quite right, or would you like to update it by remaking it in a new fabric or adding new details? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’ll find the solution right in your own closet—by creating customized sewing patterns using garments you already own and love to wear. In Patternmaking for a Perfect Fit, Hollywood and theater costume designer Steffani Lincecum demonstrates the rub-off, a method of pattern drafting used by fashion and costume industry professionals that traces an existing garment or accessory without deconstructing or damaging it. Steffani starts with the basics, outlining two rub-off methods—tracing onto paper or draping with fabric—and explaining essential tools, materials, and sewing techniques. She then shows how to duplicate a skirt, a dress, a blouse, and a handbag, from rubbing-off the original, to creating the pattern, to cutting and sewing the new version, to making adjustments and incorporating a variety of other elements and details—not only refreshing your favorite fashions but replenishing your whole wardrobe with brand-new looks.

Create the best fit for your body! In Create the Perfect Fit, Joi Mahon debunks traditional fitting rules and shares her measure yourself, measure your pattern style of fitting to help you achieve the best fit possible. With detailed instructions and illustrations, she'll walk you through the process of measuring your body, applying your measurements to a commercial pattern and creating an exact muslin that will become the base for any future pattern you sew. Learn how one pattern of any size can be adjusted to fit any body type. With Joi's tips and techniques, you'll eliminate fit anxiety and be sewing perfect garments in no time!

Learn to draft and sew your own customized clothes that fit you perfectly and make you feel fantastic. You no longer need to feel confined by the boundaries of a sewing pattern in order to make clothes that fit beautifully and represent your style in a way that store-bought clothes never can. Designer and founder of popular pattern brand By Hand London Elisalex Jewell is known for designing beautiful, fun garments that look fabulous on women of all sizes. In Made to Measure, she guides sewers to create stylish garments while empowering them to learn new skills, be creative, and feel confident. Following an overview of essential sewing tools, a primer on fabrics, and a guide to essential sewing techniques, you will learn how to: Draft simple patterns based on your measurements Take a pattern from an existing garment Identify and fix common fit issues The sixteen pattern-free projects for dresses, skirts, tops, a pantsuit, and more are a springboard for creating a versatile, personalized wardrobe. The designs include: Sweet Shirred Top and Dress Faux-Cute Jumpsuit Paneled Wrap Skirt Prairie Dress Not Your Grandma's Quilted Circle Skirt Siren Slip Dress Refashioned Sweater Dress In today’s world of “fast fashion,” sewing your own clothes is a wonderful way to slow down and create garments that are sustainable and unique. While most sewing books show you how to create garments from specific patterns, Made to Measure takes sewing clothes to the next level by allowing you to customize the designs to fit you. Whether you’re new to sewing clothes or want to add to your garment-making skills, Made to Measure guides you to create a dream wardrobe that is tailored just for you.

Do you long to get a perfect fit when sewing your own shirts and blouses? In Sewing Shirts with a Perfect Fit, author, teacher, and shirt-sewing expert David Page Coffin shows how you can easily transform the patterns included with the book into three different customized basic shirt silhouettes. Learn to work with any body shape for men or women to achieve unique, personalized, and well-fitted basic shirt patterns for yourself or anyone else. The book includes detailed explanations of essential techniques; clear, step-by-step photos; and basic patterns for sizes XXXS to XXXL that are included in a pocket behind the front cover. Discover unique fitting options for shirts and learn how to drape fabrics to create a wrinkle-free garment. With these techniques, you’ll understand how to get a great fit with almost no measuring for any and all body types, including plus-size and athletic figures. Using his couture-inspired draping methods on both standard and custom-shaped body forms (with great tips on how to make your own form), David then demonstrates how to adjust shoulder and side seams, necklines, sleeves, and armholes, and add darts or new seams to achieve the fit you want for each silhouette: loose, fitted, or tight. Once you've covered the fundamental concepts and techniques, put your knowledge into practice with the four distinctive, original step-by-step shirt design and construction projects. These projects offer a variety of classic shirt, shirt-jacket, and dress shirt styles you can make and perfectly fit with the included patterns. In this book you’ll also learn: Correct ways to drape patterns in different fabrics for a great fit. How to make a denim Western shirt with sleeve plackets and snaps. Construction tips that will make your garments look more professional. How to create a fitted wrapped shirtdress that can be any length. Ways to position and reshape a yoke. Sewing Shirts with a Perfect Fit will give you the skills you need to get the right fit every time!