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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
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which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: plumcrazy
Date: 02-12-2006, 12:35 AM (1 of 9)
This is a wonderful site and what i have gleaned is very helpful...Im new at this and want my first project to go smooth...im having trouble with fitting or how to...I want to make a simple skirt, my measurements are 43" waist and 39" hips...if i go by the waist im a 16...in the hips im a size 8....where do i go from here....the pattern is new look 6019 drawstring waist....Tia 
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User: plumcrazy
Member since: 02-12-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 02-12-2006, 01:04 AM (2 of 9)
Always go by the biggest measurement. It's always easier to take away than to cut new and bigger. So if your waist is a 16, then buy the 16, make it and if you have to, take the skirt in a bit from the hips down. (unless you like the way it looks. I sound's like it might hang straighter on you because your hips are smaller. ( I wish I could say mine were...  )Kath Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: plumcrazy
Date: 02-12-2006, 01:26 AM (3 of 9)
thank you so much for the reply...I will do the 16 and go from there...seem like every where i turn there's a sewing machine...even chasing me in my dreams...fabric every where....thanks a bunch.. 
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User: plumcrazy
Member since: 02-12-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 02-12-2006, 01:58 AM (4 of 9)
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Welcome to the boards plumcrazy. You picked a good name. Sometimes I think I'm plumcrazy when trying to fit a pattern. If you are serious about sewing and want to sew clothing maybe you could invest in a really good book that is out there on fitting called Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina. It shows all the alterations and how to make them easier. Any problem with a pattern you might have she covers in this book. REally good investment. I have a problem with my arms on some patterns and she covers that issue also. She even covers the pattern companies measure different parts of your body. There is lots of photos showing the proper way to measure. Some pattern companies go by your high bust and some go by the full bust. The high bust is measureing over the top of your bust and the full bust is measureing the fullest part of your bust. That could cause a big difference in the way you buy your pattern.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: plumcrazy
Date: 02-12-2006, 02:18 AM (5 of 9)
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I haven't even thought about the top half that would drive me stircrazy...im 46 inches on top and don't know what size pattern i would buy....Im going to a book sale tommorrow and will do a search there for books on fitting..at .50 to $1.00 im sure i can find a book on fitting...I was once wrapped in duct tape, not pretty...esp. with a tape gun....you live and learn...Husband's why can't they just listen. tape gun no tape gun......
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User: plumcrazy
Member since: 02-12-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 02-12-2006, 06:54 AM (6 of 9)
Another real good book is by Palmer - Peltsch "Fit For Real People". We sound similar in builds I like them because they go over more detail on several levels of fitting, and on many different items. On shirts I go with what is called my high bust measurement, remember almost all patterns are made for a B cup, then you do an alteration for a bust cup adjustment, covered in the "Fit For Real People Book". to get to the cup level you need like my D. Alas on skirts & pants I have the same issue, as did my #2 dd (teen) I did a skirt for, we are larger through the waist then the hips. We always go with the waist measurement, then pin fit the hip area, if it is a more fitted skirt. In the body shape world I am an inverted triangle, larger on top, getting smaller on bottom When looking at patterns I generally need a 14/16 for the top, 12 for waist, 8/10 for hips; feel like I'm all over the measurement chart 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: paroper
Date: 02-12-2006, 08:10 AM (7 of 9)
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It really depends upon how you are built. If you are a true 16 bust with a B cup (maybe even a C cup), then you buy for the 16. If you are measure 16 with a DD cup then buy for the 14 top and make a full bust adjustment because the pattern is set for a B cup and the shoulders are proportional. In my opinion, the shoulders and neckline are the hardest to fit....hip adjustments (except crotch in pants) are a snap, so is the waist. However, if you get into shoulder and neck adjustments, that's a different story. Most current patterns are made for at least 3 pattern sizes. I really like to buy when I can where my size is in the middle...not a biggie, just my preference. If you have a dramatic change higher or lower in your size, your best patterns may be with the bust higher (for smaller hips) or bust lower (for larger hips). You can always use the basic pattern proportions for making the basic adjustments for upsizing or downsizing where necessary. It is easy to look at a pattern and say, well, my pattern size is "x" but the fine arts of sewing come into fitting the pattern so that it looks (and is) custom made. Many patterns now have enough ease that you may not have the fit problems of fitted patterns, however, it is best to learn now to fit yourself properly so that there are no surprises when you have to make very fitted clothing. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: plumcrazy
Date: 02-12-2006, 03:14 PM (8 of 9)
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Thank you everyone this is some really sound advice and will be put to great use...Im a DD and an inverted triangle with tiny little legs.....Im so excited about sewing, for clothes are so expensive....will let you know how my skirt turns out.... I will be using alot of the sewing lessons listed here, like the summer jacket..I think that would be simple enough for me.....
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User: plumcrazy
Member since: 02-12-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-12-2006, 06:13 PM (9 of 9)
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Your biggest problem will be in the fitting. I posted a link yesterday under General Sewing. It is a quick reference guide for making all kinds of alterations. I think that you'd find it helpful.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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