Does any one know how to custom fit a sewing pattern?

Question

I have a sewing pattern but i need to make the bust smaller and the wast larger, and the pre-fitted pieces. A link would be good.

Answer 1

Here are a few pages for you to check out.



http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/...

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/expl...

http://www.burdastyle.com/?gclid=COTvreK...

Answer 2

Try Simplicity.com, or whichever pattern company you like best.  Also, you might try making the pattern in some fabric that you can get inexpensively.  That way you can experiment and if it doesn't turn out, it wont have cost you much.

Answer 3

What I have done in the past is cut the pattern a bit larger where needed.  Say you need another inch or two in the waist area, I would cut an additional inch away from the pattern cutting line on either side of the pattern.  The bust line can be made smaller by creating darts. Usually the patterns have a dart down the center front, but you can take in the pattern from the back as well.  It takes a bit of trial and error, so I would suggest you try this with scrap fabric before moving on to the actual garment you are trying to make. And when you do make your adjustments, set the sewing machine to the baste stitch in case you need to remove any stitches to make the garment larger or smaller.  You can also copy the patterns and cut to fit by increasing/decreasing paper and taping it back together.

Answer 4

Bust smaller because of an A cup size (most patterns are drafted for B cup) -- if so, it's the reverse of a "full bust adjustment".: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/...

If the problem is not small cup size, choose a smaller size that fits through neck, shoulders and bust and add elsewhere.

The waist adjustment is done simply by increasing at the side seams -- add 1/4 of the additional amount to the side front and 1/4 of the amount needed to the side back.  Pin fit for contour.

If you give us the pattern maker and number or show us a picture, we can probably give better advice.  For instance, adjusting a princess-seamed garment is much easier than a surplice-wrapped top.

You might also want to look at Connie Crawford's pattern line for Butterick -- the sizing is different, with a larger hip and waist assumed in larger sizes, or the "Today's Fit" line by Sandra Betzina for Butterick and Vogue.  They may fit you better.

More helps:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00...

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00...