Pattern Alterations and Fitting Adjustments
The move from paper pattern alteration and fitting adjustments to digital pattern fitting can seem daunting. But once the basics of digital tools area learned, the same paper methods, can easily done digitally, for almost any fitting adjustment.
Here are some resources to start to learn digital tools to make pattern adjustments:
Top Tips for Projecting: Tips #5 has links to tutorials for how to make pattern adjustments on the fly or via digital editing of patterns
Inkscape guide: Learning the basics of Inkscape is a solid foundation for developing skills to do traditional pattern alterations on a pattern digitally, instead of on paper.
But before learning digital tools, a good foundation in traditional pattern alterations for fitting adjustments will be very helpful. I highly recommend the following two books, Fit for Knits and Ahead of the Curve. These are the most accessible, comprehensive, easy to follow resources for fitting adjustments. Once the concepts of these paper based methods are learned, they can easily be adapted to be done using digital tools.
Fit for Knits by Johanna Lundström and Malena Hjerpe (2023). Johanna Lundström’s popular The Last Stich Youtube channel has been a go-to resource for sewing tips for almost 10 years, and Johanna has previously published popular books on sewing activewear, jeans fitting and mastering the coverstitch machine.
Fit for Knits is the most comprehensive resource for fitting garments designed for knit fabrics available. The hundreds of illustrations are clear and precise, and the fitting problems and pattern adjustment solutions are explained in simple and accessible terms. The organization of the book’s 260 pages into easy to follow sections so we don’t have to jump around makes it my go-to resource for almost any fitting challenge.
Fit for Knits printed book or Kindle ebook Amazon.com affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/3QLxzWJ
Fit for Knits printed book or Kindle ebook Amazon.ca affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/4agX49j
Fit for Knits printed book Amazon.co.uk affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/3UIv1tE
Fit for Knits PDF ebook can also be bought from her website here: https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book
Ahead of the Curve: Learn to Fit and Sew Amazing Clothes for Your Curves (2021) by Jenny Rushmore of Cashmerette Patterns, is an excellent, affordable, and easy to use guide. The included patterns are only for sizes 12-32 US, but the pattern adjustments explained in the book will work for any size. Most of the fitting adjustments work for woven and knit fabrics. The range of fitting adjustments cover all parts of the body, but are not as comprehensive as the Fit for Knits book. However Ahead of the Curve’s approach with before and after pictures, in addition to illustrations makes it invaluable for understanding the most common fit issues.
Here are affiliate links for this book on Amazon, or go to your local bookstore or fabric shop and they likely have it, it is one of the best selling sewing books in recent years.
Ahead of the Curve printed book or Kindle ebook Amazon.com affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/4dCkpVY
Ahead of the Curve printed book or Kindle ebook Amazon.ca affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/3QI1aAm
Ahead of the Curve printed book or Kindle ebook Amazon.com affiiliate link: https://amzn.to/3wyFhN7