CONFIDENTLY CREATE GARMENTS THAT FIT
Fitting Essentials is the only program of its kind that will show you exactly how to transform a sewing pattern from a standard size to your size using a step by step fitting process that will have you altering sewing patterns like a pro and eliminating fitting issues one step at a time with confidence and skill.
Before I Give You all the Details, Here's Who this is Really For...
> You are an accomplished sewist who wants to create beautiful garments that fit. You're tired of struggling with trial and error fitting methods and are ready to implement a reliable step by step process for recognizing, assessing and solving your personal fit issues.
> Altering sewing patterns for fit isn't new to you. You've got some good fitting books, watched various fitting tutorials and even attended an in-person fitting workshop or two but you often find yourself going in circles and spending your sewing time searching through books and videos for solutions to issues that are new to you.
> You understand that fitting isn't "fast and easy", that "fit as you sew" only works for a few, and you're tired of referring to fitting issues as figure flaws so you're willing to put in the time and effort to trust an entirely new process that will set you up for fitting success.
If this sounds like you, you're in the right place and I'm going to tell you exactly how Fitting Essentials will give you the tools, inspiration and support on your path to fitting success.
By the end of this program you will have the ability to:
• Choose the best size to start with from any sizing chart and pre-determine the potential fitting changes you may need to make based on that size.
• Solve for the majority of your fitting issues on the sewing pattern before you sew.
• Assess your own fitting issues using a process that doesn’t have you relying solely on your ability to “read the wrinkles”.
• Transfer the fitting changes determined on your sample, back to your pattern so you’ll have a tried and true sewing pattern that will become a staple in your wardrobe.
• Apply what you've learned to any sewing pattern with confidence and skill.
Fitting Success is Possible...
What's Inside the
Fitting Essentials Online Course
WELCOME TO FITTING ESSENTIALS
WELCOME
THE DESIGN DETAILS THAT MAKE FITTING EASIER
By the end of this module you'll understand why some of your sewing projects were doomed to fail from the start and how you can choose styles that are designed with fitting elements that you can use to your advantage.
Highlights:
Learn about the design details that will make fitting easier.
Practice recognizing the fitting elements that work for you.
Get an introduction to the sewing pattern that I've specifically designed for you to work on throughout the course.
STEP ONE
SIZING ANALYSIS
DETERMINE THE BEST PATTERN SIZE TO START WITH
By the end of this module you'll be able to choose your best pattern size to start with (from any size chart) and begin planning your pattern fitting adjustments.
Highlights:
Take your body measurements (by yourself) and record them on the new Pattern Measurement Worksheet.
Use the Choose Your Size Worksheet to ensure you pick the best size to start with.
Determine your potential fitting adjustments based on your selected pattern size.
STEP TWO
PATTERN ANALYSIS
GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE DESIGNER'S FIT INTENT
By the end of this module you'll know exactly what you need to do to adjust the pattern to fit your body measurements and desired ease.
Highlights:
Prepare the Kayla sewing pattern for analysis.
Measure the pattern and calculate the optimal ease.
Outline all the fitting changes you'll need to make to the pattern.
STEP THREE
INITIAL PATTERN ADJUSTMENTS
MAKE THE PATTERN ADJUSTMENTS VIRTUALLY EVERYONE NEEDS
By the end of this module you'll have solved for the most commonly misdiagnosed fitting issues before you see your first sample.
Highlights:
Make your initial pattern adjustment plan using the Pattern Adjustment Worksheet.
Perform the initial pattern adjustments you need on your pattern.
Check and refine your altered pattern for trouble free sewing.
STEP FOUR
SAMPLE ASSESSMENT
PREPARE A FITTING SAMPLE AND ASSESS THE FIT
By the end of this module you'll have a sample of your garment and know exactly how to assess the fit all on your own.
Highlights:
Cut, sew and prepare for your fitting assessment.
See a "real life" example of how to fit yourself and assess personal fit issues without a fitting buddy with guidance from the Fitting Checklist.
Get guidance on how to Read the Wrinkles and a step by step plan to Making Your Own Fit Assessment.
STEP FIVE
PATTERN REFINEMENT
TRANSFER FITTING CHANGES TO THE PATTERN
By the end of this module you will have transferred all your fitting changes to the pattern and be ready for a final fitting. You'll also have learned how to solve for a multitude of fitting issues in some rather unconventional ways.
Highlights:
Learn how to transfer fitting changes from the sample to the pattern.
Learn new and unconventional ways of managing pattern shape.
Check, refine and finalize your pattern for fitting success.
STEP SIX
FITTING SUCCESS
CELEBRATE YOUR FITTING SUCCESS
By the end of this module you'll realize that you've learned HOW TO FIT. The knowledge and skills you've gained have given you the ability to recognize, assess and solve your own fitting issues.
Highlights:
You have a pattern that fits you and a start on that beautiful wardrobe you've been dreaming of.
You have the confidence to approach any fitting project using the Fitting Essentials process.
You are ready to experiment with style variations on your pattern.
*You'll be given access to one or two modules per week (except for implementation weeks) so that you have ample time to dive into the lessons and execute the project plan before moving onto the next. I've done this to allow you to absorb and implement the lesson material and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with all the content I share inside the course. Once all the modules are delivered you have access to the course videos for as long as you need them.*
Inside Fitting Essentials you'll also get access to the perfect fitting project (and the perfect wardrobe staple), The Kayla Shirt. I've specifically designed the pattern for this course so that you can follow along with me as I demonstrate each of the steps in the fitting process.
As we move through all the lessons, you'll take the Kayla Shirt from it's standard size to your size following the roadmap to the perfect fit that I've laid out for you.
The Kayla sewing pattern comes in two fit-friendly views. Each view has a two-piece collar, back yoke and front button placket. View A has a darted bodice and three quarter length sleeves while View B has princess seams and short sleeves. The sleeves are completely interchangeable between the two views.
The Kayla pattern is available in two size groupings:
SIZES 2 - 14 [B CUP]
HIGH BUST: 31 - 38 1/2" (79 - 98 cm)
BUST: 33 - 40 1/2" (84 - 103 cm)
WAIST: 25 1/2 - 33" (65 - 84 cm)
HIP: 35 1/2 - 43" (90 - 109 cm)
SIZES 12 - 24 [C CUP]
HIGH BUST: 36 - 48" (91 - 122 cm)
BUST: 39 - 51" (99 - 129 cm)
WAIST: 33 - 44" (84 - 112 cm)
HIP: 43 - 54" (107 - 137 cm)
[You get both size ranges inside the course]
* If your measurements are within 2" (5 cm) of these measurements, this pattern is still the perfect project. I'll be showing you how to adjust this pattern for your cup size and circumference. You can see the complete sizing guide HERE.
Bonuses to Pave the Path to Success
The Fitting Essentials Community Group
As a member of FITTING ESSENTIALS you'll get exclusive access to a private community group consisting of only you and your course mates.
You'll have the opportunity to discuss the lessons, ask questions and share your progress with a group of friendly, knowledgeable and fun loving sewing enthusiasts that are working through the same project as you.
You get access to the community for one year from the enrolment date, so you'll have plenty of time to engage with your fellow course mates as you finalize your fitting and put the fitting process you learned into action. The support, encouragement and advice shared by your fellow classmates is priceless.
The Fitting Essentials Community Group is and extension of the In-House Patterns Studio course platform and is not associated with Facebook.
Live Q&A Sessions with Alexandra
Alexandra will be hosting Live Q&A sessions each week for 8 weeks exclusively for current Fitting Essentials course members.
She'll answer questions, clarify the course content and share additional tips and techniques that will help you perfect your fitting process.
All Q&A Sessions are recorded and uploaded to the course members area so you can view it at your convenience. You'll never miss out on these valuable bonus training sessions.
HERE'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU ENROL TODAY
“This fitting class was so comprehensive and detailed that I now have the confidence to make any top fit and be totally wearable. Alexandra is such a kind and wonderful teacher and in the weekly "lives" she answered questions that came up in the community about the previous lessons. We all learned so much from her answers but also from other students questions. She was so positive in her comments that I always felt encouraged and ready to go on. I would recommend her class to anyone who has an interest in fitting and sewing clothes that fit well and understand how to keep doing it. The class is a wonderful value for all the instruction that Alexandra provides and results you get from it.”
Jan
QUESTIONS SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS ASK
BEFORE ENROLLING IN FITTING ESSENTIALS
This course is going to show you HOW to fit, by yourself, from start to finish. It's the complete process I have used successfully to fit my own garments and one I've been developing over the last 7 years while working with experienced home sewists like you.
You'll learn how to analyze the style, the sizing and the pattern itself so that you can replicate the style and silhouette of the pattern on your body. You'll then perform the initial pattern adjustments virtually everyone needs to align the pattern to your body measurements and proportions before you even make a sample. I'll show you how to check and refine your pattern so that you can stitch up a fitting sample quickly and easily.
I'll show you how to prepare your sample for a fitting session in a way that will make assessing the fit straight forward and do-able without the help of a fitting buddy. We'll discuss how to "read the wrinkles", but you'll soon see that relying on this wrinkle language isn't as important as you think.
Of course it doesn't stop there, I'll also show you how to take your fitting changes back to your pattern and work through the potential fitting issues that you may encounter. This course will give you the confidence and skills to recognize, assess and solve your own fitting issues with a straightforward process you can use on any sewing project.
You'll find that the differences are profound.
Fitting Essentials is a very comprehensive course and I don't want you to be overwhelmed by all the content I have to share.
The course modules will be posted one or two per week for the first 6 weeks and I'll spend an additional 2 weeks with you to ensure you get to the finish line. I deliver it this way so I can walk you through each of the modules and provide help and guidance along the way.
When our 8 weeks together is complete, you get continued access to the community group so you can interact and strategize with your fellow course mates. (Access to the Fitting Essentials Community will expire on January 18, 2023)
That being said, once all the modules are delivered, you will have access to the course for as long as you need it so you'll be able to watch and re-watch the videos as many times as you like.
The official start date of the course is January 24th 2022, but just like any class, I've got a welcome message waiting for you inside that will tell you exactly what you'll need to do before the first module drops so don't hesitate to join!
Enrolment closes January 23rd and won't open again for another year.
Unfortunately, due to the number of students and the format of the class, it isn't possible to provide a personal fit consultation with individual members of the course.
However, the Fitting Essentials Community group will give you the opportunity to ask questions, share fitting photos and troubleshoot fitting issues alongside your classmates. Alexandra will then take the most commonly discussed issues from the forum and cover them in the bi-weekly Live Q&A Sessions.
The Fitting Essentials Community Group is an exclusive and private group for course members only. The group is housed on the In-House Patterns website and does not use any aspect of Facebook.
You will have access to the Fitting Essentials Community for a total of one year from the start of the course. This community is where you will interact with your fellow course-mates. As a member run community, Alexandra won't be there to answer every single post so I encourage you to share your advice, questions, photos and insights about the course content with each other so that you can make the most of the knowledge and experience that will be represented there. Alexandra will be guiding you through the course content during the first 8 weeks and the remaining time in the community can be used to help you finalize your fitting project with the help of your course mates.
The community is also the place where Alexandra will communicate with you and share the information about our Live weekly Q&A sessions. Each week you will have the opportunity to post questions about the course so that Alexandra can clarify your path and guide you. You will be invited to a LIVE Q&A Session twice a week for 8 weeks.
All Q&A sessions will be recorded so even if you can't attend live, you can still get your questions answered and benefit from all the information I'll share.
In short, YES.
I have specifically designed this pattern in a way that will help you achieve the best possible fit using the principals and methods I teach inside the course. Without the special features that I've incorporated in the pattern you will likely struggle more than you need to.
However, once you understand the methods and processes of making a pattern fit you as I show inside the course, you will definitely be able to apply the principles to other sewing patterns without these special features. Following along with the Kayla sewing pattern will help you learn HOW to fit. Once you have internalized the process you can apply it to any pattern you choose.
That being said, I realize that the gender and sizing may not include everyone, so what I suggest is that you use this project as a learning tool and perhaps follow through with the course lessons while making the garment for a friend or family member. While this isn't the most optimal solution for learning how to "fit yourself" I know from experience that learning how to fit on another person is just as valuable and gives you even greater insight into assessing fit.
Email [email protected] and I'll be happy to answer your questions.
Absolutely!
- FITTING ESSENTIALS: HOW TO MAKE SEWING PATTERNS FIT YOU
The complete online course delivered over 6 weeks with lifetime access including all the course lesson videos, checklists, worksheets and guides.
- THE KAYLA SEWING PATTERN
The layered and multi-sized PDF pattern in two size ranges with High Bust measurements of 31" to 48" (79cm-122cm) and Full Bust measurements of 33" to 51" (84cm to 129cm). If you're within 2" or 5cm of these measurements this pattern will still work for you!
- ACCESS TO THE FITTING ESSENTIALS COMMUNITY GROUP
The place to engage with your fellow course-mates to get support, ask questions, offer advice and share your photos. You get access for one year.
- LIVE Q&A SESSIONS WITH ALEXANDRA