In Fitting Fashion

This week I have a Quick Tip for you. I get questions about the gaping front armhole often, this issue is so common and often misunderstood even though this is probably the easiest fitting issue to correct.  Watch the video for some insight and let me know in the comments if you've used this method before. 

For further insight about the armhole fitting you can also check out this popular blog post:

Fitting and Pattern Adjustment - The Armhole

If you would like to practice this pattern adjustment using the scaled block patterns featured in the video, you can grab those by clicking the image below.

We've also got a lively group of individuals in the FREE In-House Patterns Studio Facebook Community. If you'd like to join the conversation there, just click below.

All My Best,

Alexandra

In this final video of the Pattern Fundamentals series, we're going to use the basic sleeve block to design the pattern of one of the most popular sleeve styles this year.

If you've missed the previous lessons in the series, I encourage you to watch them.  They are loaded with essential information you'll need for pattern manipulation.

Just click the links below to watch:

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: Two Essential Skills for Successful Pattern Manipulation

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: How to True Darts and Manage Dart Volume

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS:  Three Ways to Manage the Back Shoulder Dart

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS:  How to Create and Balance a Flared Skirt

Now let's design the trumpet sleeve pattern. Watch the video to find out how!

As I mentioned in the video, get your FREE Scaled Block Patterns to practice your pattern work. Click the image below to get started!

Click the image to  see the Pinterest Board.

 If you've enjoyed this series on pattern making and...

Here we go with video #4 of the Pattern Fundamentals series!

In the last three videos we've practiced lots of dart manipulations.  Each video building your pattern making skills and hopefully giving you the confidence you need to make pattern adjustments for fit and style.  I guarantee that you'll find something new and inspiring in each one of the previous videos so if you missed any of the lessons,  just click the links below to watch.

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: Two Essential Skills for Successful Pattern Manipulation

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: How to True Darts and Manage Dart Volume

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS:  Three Ways to Manage the Back Shoulder Dart

This week we’re going to take everything we’ve learned and apply it to the basic skirt block. I’ll show you how to manipulate waist darts to create flare, how to balance the flare so that it hangs evenly all around the hemline, and talk a little bit about grain lines so you can understand...

Here is the third video from this month's series on Pattern Fundamentals.

In the last two videos I showed you how to rotate darts, how to true them up and how to manage large dart volumes.  If you missed those just click the links below to watch.

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: Two Essential Skills for Successful Pattern Manipulation

PATTERN FUNDAMENTALS: How to True Darts and Manage Dart Volume

Today's video covers three ways to manipulate the back shoulder dart. We'll cover how to rotate it to the neckline, how to create a yoke seam and how to eliminate it entirely without affecting the fit. If you've already read this popular article, you'll find that this week's video brings it all to life.

Enjoy!

As I mentioned in the video, get your FREE Scaled Block Patterns to practice your pattern work. Click the image below to get started!

Share your pattern work from the Pattern Fundamentals series on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram by posting a photo with the...

I've got a new episode of Pattern Fundamentals for you!

In this week's video, I'm finishing the pattern work we started last week and giving you some inside information about darts. I'll show you how to true darts and determine their dart roof, what direction to press the dart volume and why you might want to break the general rule. I'm also going to show you how you can manage large dart volumes for a smoother fit. 

Watch now so you can put it all into action today!

As I mentioned in the video, get your FREE DOWNLOAD containing a set of scaled block patterns to practice your pattern work. Click the image below to get started!

Share your pattern work from the Pattern Fundamentals series on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram by posting a photo with the hashtag #inhousepatternsstudio. 

See you next week!

All My Best,

Alexandra

Say hello to the month of May and a new series on the blog.  

This month I'm presenting Pattern Fundamentals, a series highlighting the skills you'll need to master in order to manipulate patterns for fit and style.  With fitting adjustments, pattern adjustments follow so in order to understand how to make pattern adjustments correctly, you need to understand how patterns work. Follow along with me this month to learn some essential professional pattern making techniques.

In this week's video, I cover two essential pattern manipulation techniques. Watch now to discover what they are and learn how to do them. 

As I mentioned in the video, I have another FREE DOWNLOAD for you!  In this one, you get a set of scaled block patterns so you can work through all the featured pattern making exercises with me. Click the image below to get started!

If you would like to share your pattern work in the FREE Facebook Group, click the image below to join!...

And here it is! The fourth and final video in the Fitting Fundamentals series.  If you've missed the first few, click the links below to get started.

FITTING FUNDAMENTALS:  Why Fitting is Difficult and How to Make it Easier

FITTING FUNDAMENTALS:  Three Fitting Methods to Improve Your Fitting

FITTING FUNDAMENTALS:  The First Fitting Session-How to Prepare Yourself and the Garment

Today's video is all about fit assessment.  I’m going to show you what good fit looks like, how to recognize fitting issues and the fitting order to follow that will keep everything on track.

Watch now to see it in action!

As I mentioned in the video, you can download The Good Fit Checklist absolutely FREE.  Just click on the image below to get started.

I hope this video and the entire series has given you some idea of how to get a successful start with fitting your sewing projects. If you're new to fitting, start with something simple so you can get a "win"...

Welcome, to the third video in the Fitting Fundamentals series!

If you’ve missed the first few videos, just click the links below:

FITTING FUNDAMENTALS:  Why Fitting is Difficult and How to Make it Easier

FITTING FUNDAMENTALS:  Three Fitting Methods to Improve Your Fitting

Today's video is all about preparing for the first fitting session.  Now, you’re probably thinking “what’s to prepare, just sew it up and take a look” right? Well, I’m going to suggest you do a little bit more than that to make sure that the first sample you create fits relatively well and if it's not quite there, you'll be able to assess the fit more quickly and easily.  

Watch now to find out how.

As I mentioned in the video, you can download The Pattern Measurement Worksheet absolutely FREE. Click the image below to get started.

If you have a few thoughts to share, just comment below. If you'd like to join the conversation in the...

Here is the second instalment of this month's series on Fitting Fundamentals.

If you missed the first, just click here.

Today's video discusses the three fitting methods that will help you assess the fit of your garment.  Each one of these methods is usually discussed on their own but I'm going to suggest we use them in combination. Watch the video to learn how to to do that. If you have some of your own tips and tricks you'd like to share please do so in the comments!

Enjoy!

As I mentioned in the video, you can download The Perfect Fit Guide absolutely FREE. Click the image below to get started. The guide has been newly updated and now includes The Pattern Measurement Worksheet to get you to a better fit faster!

Here are the other resources I mentioned:

Create the Perfect Fit, Joi Mahon

Pants For Real People, Patti Palmer

The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting, Sarah Veblen

Palmer Pletsch Fitting Order for Tops FREE PDF

Palmer Pletsch Tissue Fitting...

Throughout the month of April, I'll be presenting some of the essential information you need to improve your fitting skills in a series I'm calling Fitting Fundamentals. Today's video discusses the four reasons fitting is difficult and gives you some strategies that will make it easier for you.

Enjoy! 

As I mentioned in the video, you can download a FREE mini guide to photographing your sewing projects for accurate fit assessment. Click the image below to get started.

If you'd like to join the In-House Patterns Studio community, visit the new Facebook group. I'll meet you there to let you in!

All My Best,

Alexandra