Truing a Pattern before sewing

www.surefitdesigns.com

In this blog post I'd like to share with you a few tips about truing and perfecting your patterns before you cut your fabric.  Everything you do to check and true your pattern will pay off when you begin sewing the pieces together.

Here is an example.  Let's say you want some gathers at the neckline.  You move the side-fitting bust dart up to the neckline.  In this example I'm showing you a scooped neckline by dropping the center front neck point about 4-5" and reshaping the neck curve with the Designing Stylus.

Here is what that could look like.

You'll notice the jagged, jogged neck line that results.  This needs to be trued.  Use the Designing Stylus as shown.

'True' a new seam line to smooth out the curve.

The last thing you'd most likely do is add the required seam allowance.

This is just one example of truing or perfecting the pattern before cutting and sewing.

Here's a video on what to look for in the rest of the pattern: how to look for 90 degree angles with two adjoining seams, how to match and check seam line lengths, how to check side seam shapes.  In the video I show this process on a bodice/skirt combination but the general concepts apply to all your patterns including pants and shirts.

If you can't see the video within your email display, simply click on the link provided.
https://youtu.be/U6Vw-qDLIFw

All these tips will no doubt result in a winning pattern that sews together easily.

Happy Sewing!
Glenda the Good Stitch

Oh by gosh by golly...

...it's time for mistletoe and holly.

I'm old fashioned I suppose.  I simply would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for being such a loyal Sure-Fit Designs customer.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends.

Sincerely,
Glenda The Good Stitch!

the Line Drafter Version 2.0

www.surefitdesigns.blogspot.com

the Line Drafter - Version 2.0

'Now...this is definitely a tool I can use'!

Whether you are a crafter, quilter or garment seamstress, you'll love this latest version of this essential tool...the Line Drafter - version 2.0.  An attached handle gives you that great grip offering extremely easy maneuverability and insuring a steady edge for drafting or cutting all the lines you need.  Drawing on vertical or horizontal surfaces is definitely a breeze.

You'll get a good grip...it will never release (like suction cup handles often do).  You'll obtain precision and accuracy with every drawn or cut line, on vertical or horizontal surfaces, which all ensures accuracy and success with all your projects! And yes...it's stable & see-through.

Specifications:
1. 24" x 6" (61x15cam) - which is great for long grainline markings
2. 1/8" thick clear plastic - it's see-through, rigid & stable for easy maneuvering
3. Version 2.0 offers increments displaying inches on all 4 sides
4. Has 5/8" (16mm) seam allowance guide on both long sides
5. Has 3/8" (10mm) seam allowance guide on one short end
6. Has 1/2" (13mm) seam allowance guide on the other short end
7. Offers 45 degree angle lines for all your true bias lines and cuts
8. Has 1/4". 1/2", 3/4" and 1" grid lines making drawing and cutting parallel lines a breeze

9. It's all about the Handle: The Line Drafter features a permanently attached handle making maneuverability fast and easy on both vertical and horizontal surfaces!  The handle depth is ideal for a woman's hand to get a solid grip, and yet deep enough for a man's (larger) hand.  And...it's not obtrusive or too large so that it doesn't obscure the ruler markings.

10. Straight or Bias cuts - they're all a breeze with the Sure-Fit Designs Line Drafter V2.0

If you'd like to see a short video (below) on the multiple uses of the Line Drafter, click this video link:

https://youtu.be/aUxTZHDRNMg

'This really is a tool you can use'!

In the USA, please go to: http://www.surefitdesigns.com/LineDrafter.html

For our international customers, please click through to your respective distributor:

In UK/Ireland/Europe go to: www.surefitdesigns.co.uk

In Canada go to: www.surefitdesigns.ca

In Australia/NZ/Pacific Rim countries: go to www.surefitdesigns.com.au

Here's a couple of photos of ladies using the Line Drafter in the recent Fit & Sew Retreat.  They expressed how beneficial it was.

Happy Drafting!

Glenda...the Good Stitch

 

Once a Year - FREE Shipping

www.surefitdesigns.com

Merry Christmas everyone...in the form of FREE shipping for 2 days only!

Have you been waiting for a discount? Just in time for Christmas presents, so take advantage of our Free Shipping - December 5 & 6, 2017.

In the USA, a minimum purchase of $49.95 is required which will get you the versatile Dress Kit.  Go to www.surefitdesigns.com.

All of the Sure-Fit Designs distributors are participating, though each of them have different conditions to received either free or discounted shipping.

In the UK/Ireland/EU - contact Judith Johnson - www.surefitdesigns.co.uk

In South Africa - contact Elsabe Hurn - www.surefitdesigns.co.za

In Canada - contact Anna Espindola - www.surefitdesigns.ca

In Australia/NZ - contact Martha Schuster - www.surefitdesigns.com.au

(PS - For international countries not serviced by our distributors listed above, feel free to order from the USA site - www.surefitdesigns.com.  You will receive a saving of 50% off of normal ship rates.  But due to software limitations, you will need to add the full amount of shipping when in the Shopping Cart, then when we receive your order, I will issue a refund of 50% for the shipping/postage that was charged.)

We'll definitely get your order shipped to you in time for Christmas.

Happy Fitting & Sewing
Glenda the Good Stitch

 

From R-T-W to SFD

www.surefitdesigns.com

From ready-to-wear (R-T-W) to Sure-Fit Designs (SFD) - you can have it all when you sew your own clothes.

I'm shorter (and older - oh well!) but it's almost an exact copy of a very recent ready-to-wear outfit I saw in a mail order catalogue.  Yes...this entire wardrobe ensemble can be sewn so easily with your Sure-Fit Designs pattern kits.  Sure, I could have drawn the shirt to be longer, but on my short body frame much longer would not have been flattering.  Let's analyze.

The reversible vest is designed from the Dress Kit and can be found on this page - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/Reversible-Vest.html.  And also remember that each of our international distributors also carry these digital e-goods Fashion Leaflets.

The princess seam pants are designed from the Pants Kit.  Yup, I added princess seams to the back legs.  I just love this feature as the seaming open up lots of opportunity for you to really achieve a great fit in the back of your pants.  I know it's hard to see the seam in these pants because of the almost perfectly matching pattern...but it's there.  You'll find free video directions for adding this seam in our SFDLearningCenter Video Library - look for P.14.

And the shirt (designed from the Shirt Kit)...it's on its way.  This long-tailed Big Shirt is going to be our newest Sew Along.  We just need to shoot the video instructions and soon you'll see this Sew Along in our latest website - www.SewFitAcademyOnline.com.  I know you'll love the look, the simplicity of the design and the ease of sewing it all together.  It's just great for wearing with your leggings, jeans or skinny pants.  Watch for this announcement.

I hope you're having lots of fun with your Sure-Fit Designs!

Happy fitting & sewing,
Glenda the Good Stitch!

Peplum Anyone?

www.surefitdesigns.blogspot.com

I recently wore this blouse with peplum in the November Fit & Sew Retreat.  All the students loved it and so I thought I'd share it with you.

With the dominant pattern, it's a little difficult to see, but it buttons up to the waist level, then releases into the peplum feature.  The bust dart has been transferred up to the shoulder line and then stitched in a release pleat.  You'll find direction to transfer the bust dart on pages 24 & 25 of the Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit Instruction book.  The 3/4 length sleeve has a little fullness at the hem level and is finished with a narrow band.

The back bodice is pretty simple.  I left the waist-fitting darts out - meaning they are there in the pattern, but not sewn.  The resulting dart width space gave a little bit of fullness/gathering before attaching the peplum.  I also added a narrow bow tie that is inserted into the side seam and then tied at center back.  This is not a feature I'd normally wear, but it worked well with the peplum feature.

The Peplum instructions are found on the 4-pg Fashion Design Sheet that you see in the above photo.

The other designs given in those instructions include garment shirring, inset godets, asymmetrical yoke designing and a tulip-flipped flounce skirt.  You can order the download version of the Fashion Design Sheet from this page.  These digital Fashion Leaflets and other Digital E-goods are also available from the SFD international distributors.

Ah...the neckline...it's the S-Curved neckline that I've used on a couple of blouses.  It's got a feminine curve to it which is drawn by using the mini-Stylus...the Designer's Companion drawing tool.  The directions for this feminine neckline style are found on page 54 of the Dress Kit Instruction Book.

Have fun designing and sewing!
Glenda the Good Stitch

Photo Highlights - Nov Fit & Sew Retreat

www.surefitdesigns.blogspot.com

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few photo highlights of the recent Nov 4 - 9 Sure-Fit Designs Fit & Sew Retreat.

 Enjoying a lunch break on Day 1 - the sewing studio has a great little kitchenette

 Our opening day group photo - representation from Australia, Wisconsin, New York, Missouri, & Michigan

 

Our Sewing Room - everyone has a dedicated drafting table

  

 The celebration and closing event - there's even a small 'living room' area in the sewing studio

 Certificates of Achievement

 We had 2 very tall ladies and short Martha (from Australia).  It simply doesn't matter your height, the Sure-Fit Designs fitting/sewing system accommodates all heights and circumferences.

 The bodice project - tank tops (almost completed).  Nice job!

The pants project - completed yoga/travel/comfort pants.  Sewn from Ponte Roma - they are so comfortable!

My thanks to each of you who attended the Fit & Sew Retreat.  It was my pleasure to meet you and teach you.

Kindly,

Glenda the Good Stitch

Look What Your Body Blueprint Can Do!

www.surefitdesigns.com

You've drawn your body blueprint (your sloper) from your Sure-Fit Designs Dress Kit bodice - now let's take a look at 3 common designs easily drawn from your finished blueprint.

First of all, your bodice blueprint is represented in the shaded gray(ish) color.

An easy design to draw is the Vest - shaded in pink.  You'll find Vest directions in both the Sure-Fit Designs Shirt Kit (on the enclosed Fashion Leaflet), and in the Children's Kit on page 33.  The directions for an adult vest are basically the same, except you'll have your bust dart on the side seam.

Your bodice blueprint can easily be drafted into a blouse.  Just make sure to add your skirt blueprint attached at the bodice waist level so that you make sure you incorporate your correct high and low hip circumferences, so that the blouse will button up comfortably into your hip area.  There are directions for adding the skirt to the bodice on page 32 of the Dress Kit instruction book.  And there are a couple of free videos on blouse designing.  Simply go to http://www.sfdlearningcenter.com/VideoCategory-DressKit.html and look for D.20 Designing a Blouse, D.27 Blouse Designing 101, and D.32 How to Draw & Designs the Kimberly Blouse.

Next you'll see the shaded green area which represents a general outline for a basic jacket.  By raising and extending the shoulder point (for a shoulder pad) and widening the underarm to allow for jacket-wearing ease, you can sew jackets from your Dress Kit bodice blueprint.  See page 35 in the Dress Kit instruction book for specific Jacket/Coat Designing ease changes.

Happy fitting & designing!
Glenda...the Good Stitch

Copy/Copy/Copy

As you browse through traditional pattern catalogues, you'll come across all kinds of styles and designs similar to instructions that are often provided within the Sure-Fit Designs resource material.

Let's take McCall's 7655 as an example.

(Sorry for this photo being a little on the fuzzy side - when enlarged it looses the nice crisp edges).

How easy this would be to copy the simple draping that is featured on the front of this dress.  To design a similar style bodice - whether in a blouse or a dress - you'll find instructions on Fashion Leaflet #10 - Draped Front Bodice found on this page - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/DesignLeaflets.html.  This Fashion Leaflet is available in either an easy downloadable format or a hard copy if you prefer.

Our suggested drape is somewhat fuller than shown in the McCall's version.  This is simply a matter of spreading the pattern open in smaller increments than suggested in the Fashion Leaflet.

You'll also notice that the SFD version is featuring the high jewel neckline, whereas the commercial pattern version is a slightly more open neckline.  You'll find neckline variations on page 19 of the Dress Kit instruction book.

Here's a version I've sewn in a comfy dress sewn from the SFD Shirt Kit in a beautiful polyester jacquard.  This draped design feature works well whether you choose your Shirt Kit or Dress Kit.

Have fun designing!
Glenda the Good Stitch

Annual Tracing Vellum Sale

Sure-Fit Designs Blog
Those of you who use it - love it!  As most of you know, the Sure-Fit Designs Tracing Vellum is the best tracing medium to use when designing and drawing your sewing patterns.

All 3 sizes are at special sale prices.

The benefits?

Well...it's strong, durable, can be used as a press cloth and it's see-through which is great for seeing all the drawing details that you need to copy from the SFD Master Patterns and if you use any ink markers, there is absolutely no bleed-through.

And...

it's totally erasable!  Unlike many other tracing mediums, it simply won't go into holes or shred when you need to remove unwanted pencil marks.

Also,

it's available in 3 size options:
**10 yd x 24" wide - Reg. $12.95/roll...Buy one, get the second one at 50% off
(minimum 2 rolls of the same size need to be purchased to receive sale price).
Total for 2 (10 yd rolls) = $19.43 +S&H

**20 yd x 24" wide - Reg. $18.95/roll...Buy one, get the second one at 50% off (minimum 2 rolls of the same size need to be purchased to receive sale price).
Total for 2 (20 yd rolls) = $28.43 +S&H

**50 yd x 18" wide - Reg. $35.95/roll...Buy one, get the second one at 50% off (minimum 2 rolls of the same size need to be purchased to receive sale price).
Total for 2 (50 yd rolls) = $53.43 +S&H

It's great to have both the 24" and 18" wide options.  The 24" wide will be required for fuller bust and hip circumferences as well as for drawing wide sleeve patterns.  The 18" wide is great for smaller pattern pieces and there's simply less wastage with this narrower option. Consider having both widths to choose from for the most economical usage.

To purchase your supply, please click here - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/Sales-Promotions.html

These sale prices will be good through Wednesday October 25th 2017 - midnight.  Take advantage of the $ savings.

To purchase from our international distributors see the following:

Participating SFD Distributors (Vellum size options vary with each distributor):

In the UK/Ireland/EU, please contact Judith Johnson 07968 486337 or go to http://www.surefitdesigns.co.uk/essential-tools-c102x3051512

In Canada, please contact Anna Espindola 403-701-0801 or go to
https://surefitdesigns.ca/collections/sales-and-promotions

In Australia/NZ & the Pacific Rim, please contact Martha Schuster 0402 342 099 or go to https://surefitdesigns.com.au/collections/essential-tools Australia sale dates Oct 21 - 24, 2017.

If you'd like to see the Tracing Vellum in action, here's a short video:

I know you'll appreciate using this excellent quality tracing vellum.  Go to:   http://www.surefitdesigns.com/Sales-Promotions.html

Thanks so much for your order.
Kindly,

Glenda...the Good Stitch!