The Perfect Fit: The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns

Wow! This book is amazing. Even if the alteration information was terrible (which it's not), the beginning of the book would be well worth it's price. It begins by teaching you how to select the right pattern first. The authors explain how commercial patterns are built, and the differences between classic, relaxed and dramatic fit. The fitting section begins with a comprehensive figure analysis. Rather than having you squint at yourself in a mirror and decide, "Why yes, I AM a perfect hourglass figure," it explains how to make a full-sized body drawing, label the points and literally connect the dots to reveal your body type.The book is stuffed with pictures. There are tons of pictures showing "average" body parts, and bodies on both sides of average. It was really easy to look at the pictures and say "Those are my arms. That's what my inner thigh looks like." I also didn't have to try to figure out how to perform each alteration, because there are detailed pictures that show every single line, snip and slide. It covers a wide range of alterations, explaining adjustments for shoulders, arms, waist, hips, thighs, bust, abdomen, and seat. Each adjustment section is then divided into minor adjustments and major adjustments, shows procedures for doing both, and includes the maximum recommended amount of adjustment so you don't distort your pattern. For each variation from average, the book includes a chart the explains the fitting goal, flattering styles and details, unflattering styles and details and common pattern adjustments. It helps you start out by choosing a pattern that is likely to flatter your body without a lot of adjustments. Finally, I felt like the book avoided judgemental labels like skinny/fat, large/flat, which I appreciated.My only (extremely small) issue with this book is that some of the fashion photos are outdated. This must be a later edition of a previously published book. Although it is copywritten 2005, some of the clothing styles look like mid to late 1980's. This absolutely does not affect the information in the book, since it is talking about alterations, not choosing fashions. However, it came up just a couple times, such as the author's enthusiastic embrace of shoulder pads, and a complete lack of discussing bootcut pants and where they fit on the body-type spectrum. On the whole, it was a very small issue. Just don't look too closely at their fashion plates at the beginning of each chaper!All in all, this book is fabulous. If you want a coffee table book about current fashions, skip it. If you want a book that will help you make your clothing fit, this is the one! It's the first alteration book that I have purchased, and I can't see needing anything else. It is clear, complete, and so easy to follow.

figure analysis, length proportions, shape analysis, contours for shoulder, arm, waist, hip, & thigh. then moves to bust, abdomen & seat profiles. discusses taking general measurements, pattern size & special fitting patterns. then we arrive at pattern adjustments with general guidelines and specific area guides and how to measure for each area. final chapter has fine tuning for points of fit, pleats & darts, shoulder pads, scooping curved seams & flattering optical illusions. this format is superior to "the complete photo guide to perfect fitting", "threads fitting for every figure" & "smart fitting solutions" because it is logically put forth, has 400 colour pictures, articulated without the use of "i" and uses a variety of patterns. it has one draw back, no discussion of measuring both sides separately, which does come in handy since there can be differences. that one item aside this book is a jewel for fitting patterns.the vogue sewing book of fitting adjustments & alterations of 1972 has more information for fitting & adjustments if we had to find a book now this is a better starting point.

This book shows you, step by step, how to solve fitting problems based on typical women's physique issues (rounded backs, sloping shoulders, round bellies, flat bottoms, curvy bottoms, full inner and outer thight... etc). It shows you how to adjust sleeve heads in existing garments to get a better fit, as well as waist bands, pants legs, and darts. Very easy to follow; easier than most "how tos" I've read on similar fit issues.

This book is so funny to me. It is great for what it is...as long as what you want isn't current fashions. I sat and read this and had a good chuckle at the graphics. I do appreciate the information it gives on altering clothes and getting a good fit. There's all you need to know about crotch fit and more. And hey...that's great because it's a needed bit of information. If what you want is to get a good fit on clothes you make for yourself, this is a good choice....just...understand there's many a shoulder pad and pleat in here.****I am going to add a bit to my review due to a comment. This book is well written and has great information. Do not make the same mistake I made, though, and assume that it was written in modern times. :)

I actually ended up with 3 "fitting" books - and I use them all. I have been sewing for about 24 years but haven't adjusted the patterns (other than length) until this last year. Pattern Fitting with confidence by Nancy Zieman was a great book to get my feet wet. However, after getting the hang of some very basic adjustments, I needed more. This book - The Perfect Fit - The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns took it to the next step with more information on how to make larger adjustments. In addition it had good pictures to show you how to deal with specific fitting issues. Almost as important, it showed me how to use the Dritz Syling Design Ruler. Finally, The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting takes it the last step and has very detailed adjustments. This books show a lot with "test" garments and shows what a "problem" area would look like and then how to fix it. As I said I have 3 books. I do use all three and wouldn't want to be with out any of them. When one book failed on some explanation, I found another picked up the slack. I can't be more specific as it was a learning process and I went back and forth a lot.

Old Singer Sewing Reference Library book with new cover....buyer beware. I already had this book, but the new cover and no reference to Singer was misleading. Fortunately, I had a friend who could use it.

Libro molto utile per imparare come modificare un cartamodello (o un capo di abbigliamento) per adattarlo al proprio fisico.Spiega nel dettaglio come accorciare/allungare, stringere o allargare qualsiasi parte di un cartamodello (spalle, collo, braccia, busto, torso, vita, fianchi, sedere, cosce).All'inizio spiega come leggere i cartamodelli e come misurare il proprio fisico. Spiega quali modifiche apportare e spiega diverse tecniche da usare a seconda se si vuole apportare una modifica piccola o grande.Il libro è in inglese e richiede una conoscenza della lingua, ma ci sono moltissime foto che accompagnano le spiegazioni.Nel libro vengono per fortuna indicate anche le misure metriche (cm).Forse, se devo proprio trovare una pecca nel libro, è quella di spiegare poco la tipologia di "pieghe" che si formano sui capi di abbigliamento e cosa queste indicano.Il libro è degli anni 80 e le foto sono un po' datate, ma i principi spiegati sono sempre validi e applicabili a qualsiasi cartamodello di oggi.

I found some of the instructions confusing - but that might be my age. I found I have to give up sewing anyway.

Having just taken up dressmaking again after an interval of a lot of years, and having lost over 3 stone, I needed a book to help me make sense of altering patterns to fit me properly. This book does it all, shows all the techniques I needed to know - especially as I am a size 16 at the top and a small 14 at the bottom - to alter patterns to fit. I have recently completed my first two dresses, one adapted from a size 16 pattern and one in which I melded two pattern sizes together. The fit is much better than just following a pattern and having to make do with what came out at the end! Loads of photographs to help me make sense of the instructions, loads of info about measurements and how to take them, loads of tips and tricks and beautifully put together to make a book which I will turn to again and again - every time I have a pattern, or indeed, a garment to alter! One of the best buys I've made in ages!

服にいろいろなしわが出た着用写真と、型紙操作の仕方が豊富な写真で丁寧に説明されています。他にもSinger Sewing Reference Libraryで絶版になり、今、復刊している本です。Tailoring: The Classic Guide To Sewing The Perfect Jacketレディブティック 写真解説ソーイング　詳しいテーラードジャケットの仕立て方の原書？Sewing Lingerieレディブティック 写真解説ソーイング　手作りランジェリーの原書？

Un libro che tratta come si possono riparare i vari vestiti, è scritto in modo semplice e chiaro, con immagini dettagliate, con sistemi "alla vecchia maniera". Anche se in inglese lo consiglio a chi è appassionato di cucito.