Know your Resources from Sure-Fit Designs

www.surefitdesigns.com

We love making new videos for your continued education and learning experiences with Sure-Fit Designs.

The 2 latest ones are just perfect for our new members wondering where to start with the Sure-Fit Designs fitting and sewing system.  First I address the multitude of resources that Sure-Fit Designs offers to help you on your way to successful fitting of your body shape - titled Sloper and Blueprints from Sure-Fit Designs.

Since the videos may not open up from the actual video link provided below, I'll also give the direct link to the YouTube video for your viewing convenience.

Click here if you can't view the video directly below -
https://youtu.be/WoYWdiwVcms

In this next video I discuss moving beyond your bodice blueprint with the analysis of a few blouse examples to examine the design lines showing you how easy it is to go beyond your sloper - bodice blueprint - to create a few simple, attractive garments that you'd be proud to wear.  This video is titled - Designing with the Dress Kit Sloper - Blouse Examples.

 Click here if you can't view the video directly below -
https://youtu.be/wRHrdst6fVM

We're on a roll!  We're replacing some of the very old videos along with adding new ones to the Learning Center for your benefit and experience (https://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/Video_Library.html).  We currently have over 200+ free educational videos (on YouTube and in the SFD Learning Center), however, if you have suggestions for new topics, we are always open to suggestions and your input...in fact we love receiving your suggestions.  Please send requests directly to Glenda the Good Stitch at info@surefitdesigns.com.

Happy Fitting & Sewing,
Glenda the Good Stitch

 

Hmmm...What's a French Dart?

Sometimes seamstresses get confused about exactly what a French Dart is.  Research states it quite simply.  A regular dart is straight.  A French dart is slightly curved.  Also, a French dart usually begins near the waist line or a little above or below, but typically, it is a long, curved dart as shown in the following illustration.

In a past Fit & Sew Retreat, this student chose to change the bust-fitting dart into a French Dart for her Tank Top project.

You'll find complete directions for designing this French Dart on page 25 of the Dress Kit Instruction Book.

Notice that the bulk of the fabric for the folded part of the dart has been removed and that you end up with a cutting line that curves up toward the dart tip.

When stitching this dart, you may want to add a stay tape, like a narrow clear elastic/plastic tape, since you are stitching the bias of the fabric and this will prevent the dart from stretching out of shape as you sew.  Make sure to press this dart over a tailor's ham.  And if the fabric frays a lot, you can always serge/overlock the raw edge of the seam allowance.

Everything about this tank top fit so nicely when she was finished.  Well done!

Happy designing and sewing! 

Glenda the Good Stitch

Basic Jacket Design Along - new streaming video course

Basic Jacket Design Along by Sure-Fit Designs

The newest design along in our SewFitAcademyOnline is the Basic Lapel Jacket Design Along.  This classic lapel jacket is a timeless and classic design worn so comfortably with pants, skirts or over a dress - it really is a wardrobe staple.

Please note that this is a 'Design Along' rather than a 'Sew Along'.  What's the difference?  In a Design Along, I show you how to use your body blueprint to create a specific design, but there will not be any sewing demonstration.  That being said, I will be giving you PDF file for the General Sewing Construction Steps so that you will have a sewing guide taking you through the sequential construction steps. It looks like this:

In this Jacket Design Along, you'll see how to take your basic bodice and skirt patterns and use them as the basis for our newest streaming video designing lessons.

And as an Introductory Savings Special, you'll save 20% from now through midnight July 24, 2018.  At checkout, simply enter Coupon Code JDA20 prior to clicking the 'Pay' button.  Just CLICK HERE to watch the free introductory lesson.

You'll receive 11 detailed video lessons and the PDF Sewing Construction Steps file.  The first lesson is free for you to preview prior to purchasing, plus you'll know the required supplies.  Once purchased, you'll be able to watch these lessons at your convenience - there is no 'end' date - you'll be able to view your dashboard when suits you best.

 

It's simply one more design for utilizing your Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit patterns.  I hope you enjoy another great Design Along by Sure-Fit Designs!

Take advantage of the Introductory Special - save 20% (regularly $14.95) through mid-night July 24, 2018  - Click Here.

Happy designing! 

Glenda the Good Stitch,

 

Customer Appreciation Gift - High Neck Cowl Fashion Leaflet

www.surefitdesigns.com

It's kind of a 'cold-shoulder' look and fashioned so easily from your SFD Dress Kit Bodice blueprint.

You'll love this new digital Fashion Leaflet detailing how to draw and sew this high cowl neck, add a simple split sleeve that's 3/4 length and shirr above the elbow if you want.  You'll be ready for summer fun!  You'll have 2 different styles of front treatments: one with a high hip band and one with asymmetrical shirring on the left side seam.  Both are great alternatives and easy to design and sew.

And the best part is - it's our Customer Appreciation Gift - totally free for 3 days (July 10, 11, 12, 2018) so Click Here to get yours now.  No strings attached - completely free.

I hope you enjoy and have fun designing and sewing our latest Fashion Leaflet.

Happy Sewing!
Glenda the Good Stitch

Princess Line Perfection - Free Master Series

www.SewFitAcademyOnline.com

Princess lines are generally so flattering for so many different figure shapes.  Why? Because the design line flows up to either the armhole or shoulder line and lends visual height to your frame.

The princess line design actually dates back to the 1870's with the designer Charles Frederick Worth, who initiated this design to take flat pieces of fabric and conform them to the female shape.  He named the style after the elegant Princess Alexandra.

This design line has a long and successful history because it is so flattering on so many different shapes of figures.  The one caveat is that the shape of the design line curvature needs to flow smoothly over your bust line no matter the position of your bust level or the fullness of your bust.

With the Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit bodice pattern, you can achieve just that - a seam that shapes for the fullness and position of your bust.

With the Sure-Fit Designs Princess Line Perfection Master Series you'll see how to take your Dress Kit bodice (your personalized bodice blueprint) and convert it into the ever-flattering princess seam.
This Master Series is in the form of streaming video and can be found here - https://www.sewfitacademyonline.com/  (Look for the image shown below for this course).

Participation is totally free but if you haven't already, you need to establish an account with username and password.

(PS - this fits me better than it fits the mannequin which is fuller busted than I am).  This is a faux-suede jacket with princess seams up into the shoulder line.  I love it!

Princess Line Perfection - Master Series - offers 7 totally free videos to help you design the best-fitting princess line from your Sure-Fit Designs patterns - both bodice and pants.

Enjoy!
Glenda the Good Stitch

The Sheath Dress & Removing the Waist/Hip Darts

www.surefitdesigns.com

How simple it is to convert your Sure-Fit Designs dress blueprint from a woven sheath dress to sewing with a knit fabric for a similar style of dress.  If you want a simple sew and go dress, this would be it.

First, you need to take your skirt and bodice patterns, line them up together following the directions on page 32 of your Dress Kit Instruction book. If you'd like to see a short video showing you this process, please click on this link as the video may not show up in your email client.
https://youtu.be/9z6qN7cKjTw

Then, you'll subtract some of the waist/hip fitting darts at the side seam waist point.  But...each waist fitting dart is 1.5" wide.  In my estimation, that's a little too much to come of in one fell swoop on the side seam.  Even though you'll be sewing with a stretchy knit fabric, I suggest you start by initially removing half this amount or 3/4" from the side seam waist point.
And depending on how stretchy your knit fabric is, you may want to 'size down' all the circumference dots to remove some of the built-in wearing ease that is provided when sewing with your woven fabrics.  See page 6 of the Dress Kit Instruction book for the guidelines: 'Sewing with Knit/Stretchy Fabric'.

The back of the dress has the darts removed in a similar manner.  And if you've sized the front of the pattern down for sewing with your specific knit fabric, make sure you do this to the back as well.

 

 And if you have a back shoulder dart, you may or may not want to sew it in place...again, it depends on how stretchy the fabric is and how curved your shoulder blades and back is.  But if you choose to remove the dart, you can do so by taking off the dart equivalent right at the intersection of the shoulder line and armscye.

Now for a visual presentation of this entire process, make sure to watch this short video - it's the latest to be added to the Sure-Fit Designs YouTube channel as well as to the SFD Learning Center.

https://youtu.be/6TMAq4hlljY 

And...when you've got this 'sew and go' dress completed, make sure to send a photo or post your creation in our SFDChallenge2018.  Get your free SFD Challenge Planner by joining now at this link.

Happy Designing & Sewing!