From R-T-W to SFD

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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?

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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

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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!

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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