Customer Reviews

Fit for Real People: Sew Great Clothes Using Any Pattern

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I LOVE this book. I love to sew, but have not sewn fitted clothes for myself because they never fit. I decided to give it one last try, using this book. IT WORKED! It turns out that I have a broad back and slightly larger bust ... and I have been using the wrong size patterns all these years.

The pattern alterations were relatively simple (I did them myself without a helper), and now have several beautifully fitted jackets and blouses. I highly recommend this book to the casual, novice, or even expert seamstress.

This book gives the clearest, most accurate fitting techniques I have ever seen in a home sewer's reference. It answers so many of the common sewing issues, and addresses common body issues. You will be so happy you bought this book. The photgraphs are clear, the language is easy tounderstand, and the whoel spectrum of fitting issues are addressed. You do not need to be plus-sized or petite to use this book - there are varying levels of every fitting challenge, and they are explained in terms that are easily applied to any of the big pattern companies' products.

This is a very very good book for alterations.
There are dozens of color pictures and illustrations and clear words to guide readers to get better fitting.
I've read many of alteration books and this one is the best one until now.
The only one thing is there is no alterations for pants.

Excellent info on altering patterns for fit problems! Great tips on every aspect of sewing. Wonderful diagrams! I was so into this book that I read it from cover to cover in one weekend like a novel!

This book arrived in the post on Friday and I spent the weekend looking at it - it really is very good and the photos of real people with real fitting problems are simply superb.

If you're a sewer who's ever been defeated because what you made simply didn't fit you properly, then buy this book.

My only criticism, though, is that, in my opinion, the authors tend to jump around a bit - I had to hunt for some information on making darts. The index needs to be more detailed.

This should be in every sewer's library; it is wonderfully detailed and easy to understand with lots of illustrations and REAL people as models. I have been sewing for 40 years and finally found answers to questions that no other book addressed,and I found Pati Palmer's little tips to be real gems of information. Definitely a book worth it's price ,and then some.Anyone who has problems fitting commercial patterns needs this guide.

Good tips as far as it went. Nothing about pants which is a major part of my wardrobe.

As a beginning sewer, I was getting very frustrated because nothing I made was fitting. This book is wonderful. I've looked at some other fitting books but this one makes the most sense to me. It's so easy!

I have been sewing for over 50 years. The one thing that always bugged me over the years was pattern fitting. I soon found out that I was not a standard fit when the bodices of dresses did not meet across the chest and the front waistlines were up around my ribcage. I had a larger than a b cup bra. It wasn't until recent years that I was told that patterns were only drafted for b cup bras. Over the years, by observing patterns and body shapes, reading books, (not many available years ago) and eventually learning the art of pattern drafting, I learned the art of pattern fitting and alteration. I have always been interested in fitting. Many books have become available in recent years on pattern alteration but I have not found one that addresses problems in the same way that this book does. So many books simplify one problem and do not let you see how the alterations affect other seams. This book goes through the whole process. It is the most comprehensive book on the market today. It starts with body types, how to measure, why you should alter and how to alter the pattern. I do not need a lot of the book's information today. However, it has been a confirmation of all I have thought of throughout the past years. I have purchased the book to add to my collection and I am thoroughly enjoying it. If only it had been available to me over the years, I would not have felt so stupid because patterns did not fit me. I would have had all the information in one place rather than the thinking and reading I had to do.The section on mature and maturing bodies is wonderful and this is one area I will be visiting. Congratulations to the authors for a fantastic book. The book in fun to read. It has lots and lots of pictures of REAL people not drawings. The illustrations of the pattern alterations are excellent. It is many books rolled into one and very good value. Reading it has sparked me off to want to start to sew again after too long an absence.

I have been teaching sewing for a number of years and have never found a more useful fitting book. The fitting methods are very easy to use in the classroom as well as in the home. This book has helped me solve all of my own fitting difficulties as well as most of my students. I recommend that you first read the entire book before you put any of the methods to the test. Then get a partner, your sense of humor and go to work. You will always be thankful you did.