Customer Reviews

Fantastic Fit For Everybody: How to Alter Patterns to Flatter Your Figure

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was recommended to me by my sewing instructor (as well as Singer: The Perfect Fit), for a fitting class. It is a comprehensive book about pattern alteration for various body types and has detailed drawing illustrations and instructions. It goes into figure measuring for various body types, the properties of fabric, pattern alterations and even clothing solutions. It is a great book to have for a beginner like me and as a reference.

I used this book to finally make a pattern that fits, as I am unable to buy retail clothing, even though I am of petite size. This book is full of wonderful inspiration and practical wisdom. I noted that one of the customer reviews complained that the book left off before the solution was offered. I couldn't agree more. There is so much in the book that fitting a pattern (and Thank you, Monster Paper!) is done with book in hand and not for the faint hearted, but worth the effort. Only through the princess seaming was I able to get the fit correct. Thank you, Gale grigg Hazen?

OK, I'll try not to get too touchy-feely here...but what I am going to remember about this book is how it has helped me accept my body the way it is! (protruding outer thighs, and small bust and "handles" on the back out of my thighs...in case you were curious! ; ) ) It has almost been a spiritual experience!
Ms. Hazen is a "round" woman with sparkle and a big heart. And almost every page there is a quote about how to accept yourself, don't be too critical, etc. etc. Truly, after realizing how NORMAL it is to not be the "norm", and after realizing how hard I've been on myself because I don't have slender lower hips...I have now accepted my body. I am truly grateful to Ms. Hazen for this one gift.
The croquis exercise was excellent...made the book worthwhile. You really do learn how your body is shaped in a 3-demensional way...wonderful! It is a great experience you should do as a sewer to understand your shape.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because after she explains the need to fit, and the philosophy of fitting...I was left wondering how MUCH to fit and some exact details. I'll get these other details from other books. And the only other criticism is that all of these women used as fitting examples were plus sized. It's great to fit ALL sizes, and I am so glad women of that size can create clothes they feel good in, but it made it harder for me to relate because I am not in that size range. Also, it's harder to see fitting problems in the bigger sizes.
Even with these small criticisms I still think this is a very worthwhile book and I have only the utmost love and respect for Ms. Hazen. She is a very special woman. Thank you Gail!!! By the way, you look great in the clothes you make!

I'm just a so-so sewer, and this book was tremendously helpful to me. First, it gave me hope that I might actually be able to sew something that would fit. Second, it gave me focused instructions on how to make particular changes. Third, they worked.

If you are looking for the a-z of pattern fitting, this isn't it. But for a refreshing point of view and great ideas, I haven't found anything else in its league.

(It's fun, too.)

The book set me up for the grand finale which never came. Most of these women were on the ample side. I am short and thin but with a thick long waist and I am swayback. The majority of the alterations were on separates; not much attention was given to dresses. I did however like the croqui. I need to do this and find my own way. There are probably better, more direct books out there.

This is a fun and helpful book. It was beneficial for me to learn that I should EXPECT my body to vary from the pattern standard - rather than beat myself up over it. I particularly liked the book's "before and after" photos. It's good to have so many visual images showing "this is what it means". Gale's insights will help me for years to come.

There are better alteration books out there, including the Vogue Sewing Book and the new Palmer/Pletch (sp?) alteration book.

Many alteration books, including this one, assume that all women require the same alterations -- increasing the hip size, decreasing the shoulders, etc. If your patterns require alteration in other areas (say, to accommodate broad, high shoulders or a thicker waist), you may not find this book as useful.

Thought that this was a great reference book on alterations, but short on details for various pattern changes. This book showed that the thought process of alterations started with your own body, Gale's process of fitting was a good way to find out of the item to be sewn will work for your body type before you sew a stitch. Pattern, fabric and body type are all taken into consideration rather than fit the pattern to the measurements. This is what I have been looking forward to and needed, but the illustrations on alterations were a bit wimpy. And for the price I was surprised at the quality of paper used for the book.

Addresses real women's issues. Excellent at combining the various fitting issues that one body could have. Also Ms. Hazen offers many positive statements about women's various body sizes. Obivously she does not believe that the anoretic veiw of beauty as promoted by the fashion media is the only or ultimate definition of beauty.

I also like her theory that ready to wear does not fit a women's body rather than the notion that a women's body does not fit a garment.

This book is really about customizing garments to your particular needs and most importantly to feeling good about yourself here and now.

I consider it a self help book as well as a how to book.

I found this book to be quite interesting as far as facts went. The photos of real people in before and after were okay, but I would rather know how to do alterations. In other books (Fitting and Pattern Alteration, Fabulous Fit, and some others) alterations for sleeve, full bust, square shoulders, etc. is given. I may not be the same size as the person in Gale's photo and may not be making the same garment, so I really am not interested in how the garment got to be from poorly fit to better fit. I did enjoy some of the interesting facts in the book especially regarding sizing of patterns, dress forms (and where are the tummies on those size 24 dress forms!). The paper did not seem to be of the best quality. I thought the book was a little pricey and felt that better value could be found in other fitting books. I would recommend the new Palmer/Pletsch fitting book over this one.