Valentine's Treat just for you!

1/2 Price $50 Gift Certificate

Valentine's is just around the corner.  Gift yourself or a sewing friend with a $50 Gift Certificate from Sure-Fit Designs.

It's good for any SFD Kit, tools or vellum.

It's a great opportunity to get started with Sure-Fit Designs, stock up on Vellum or get the DVD you've been wanting.

And the best part is you'll get this $50 Gift Certificate for $25.

This offer is valid Feb 7 - 14, 2016.

Shop now!  Must be purchased from this special page link

 click here.

Happy Valentine's
Glenda the Good Stitch!

 

How to Add a Bust Dart to a Dartless pattern

Here's another short video tutorial...
If you'd like to see how to add a bust-fitting dart to a dartless bodice pattern, watch this short video for the step-by-step process.  I show you how to do this using the SFD Shirt Kit pattern.  As many of you know, it's our uni-sex Shirt Kit and will sew shirts for both women and men and therefore it doesn't start out with a bust dart.  But some of you ladies with fuller bust lines. will always get a superior fit when you have some bust dart shaping.

Enjoy!

Glenda...the Good Stitch

Sew...What's New?

Introducing the 2015 Face-Lift!

Many of you have asked what's new in 2015 editions of the Sure-Fit Designs Kits.  First, please rest assured, that with the exception of the Shirt Kit Master Patterns, all of your other Master Patterns in the Dress, Pants and Children's Kits have NOT changed.  They are still the same great-fitting patterns we've offered you over the years.

So let's take a look at what is different.  First, we've gone to a full-color envelop for packaging all the Kits.
DRESS KIT

The Dress Kit Instruction book is now the 6th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  One new fashion design instruction for the 'S'-curved neckline blouse was added.  Due to expanded technical illustrations and the new design, the book went from 52 to 56 pages.

The Master Patterns and Dress Kit templates have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 6th edition Dress Kit Instruction book, please click here.




PANTS KIT

The Pants Kit Instruction book is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.

The Pants Master Patterns have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 5th edition Pants Kit Instruction book, please click here.






SHIRT KIT

The entire 5th edition Shirt Kit has changed substantially.  The Master Patterns are totally updated - meaning they no longer have seam allowances on them.  They are now consistent with all the other SFD Master Patterns, where once you have drawn your body blueprint pattern, you will now ADD the 5/8" (1.6 cm) allowance.  The Shirt Kit accessory pieces now include a flat collar and woman's cuff along with all the other collar and pocket shapes.  The instruction book, by necessity, has all new technical drawings showing exactly how to draw these new master patterns.  All the fashion art has been totally updated and offers new designing suggestions.  The book has gone from 20 to 28 pages.

If you want to purchase the 5th edition Shirt Kit, please click here.

CHILDREN'S KIT

The Children's Kit Instruction book is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  All of the fashion art has changed and been updated.  There are a lot of fun, new ideas for sewing children's clothing.  The book has gone from 32 to 36 pages.

The Children's Master Patterns have NOT changed.

If you want to purchase just the 5th edition Children's Kit Instruction book, please click here.




MEN'S PANTS INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE

The Men's Pants Instructional package is now the 5th edition.  Within this instruction book, all of the technical art, that is how to draw off these master patterns to create your body blueprint, has all been updated for even greater clarity.  The fashion art has changed and been updated.  The Men's Pants instructions have always utilized the ladies' Pants Kit Master Patterns as the basis for drawing the men's pants.  Nothing has changed in that regard.

If you want to purchase the 5th edition Men's Pants Instructional Package, please click here.




HOW-TO DVD

Finally, the Sure-Fit Designs introductory DVD has been updated.   This DVD offers the basics for getting started wth the Sure-Fit Designs system of pattern fitting and designing.
It consists of 2 DVD's and offers 3hr 45min of clear, concise instruction for drawing the Dress, Pants, Shirt and now includes drawing off all patterns in the Children's Kit.  Additionally you'll see how to measure for the man's pants as well as a discussion on drawing the pattern.  If you want to purchase just the new How-To DVD, please click here.

Limited Time 'Bundle' Special
If you are interested in updating your SFD kits/supplies, we're offering a Limited Time Special for all of the above items.  Receive a 15% discount when each of the above are ordered in a 'Bundle'.  Please Click Here.

Let's take a look at some of the new design ideas and fashion art in both the Children's and Shirt Kit.

(Sorry the art isn't all laid out evenly.  I have a dickens of a time with blogger getting things positioned where I'd like them to be.)

I hope you all will enjoy the new SFD look and instruction books.

As always, I thank you for your ongoing support.
Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch! 

30% Close-Out Sale

 Announcement

Close-Out Sale

30% off Current SFD Kits

...a very rare sale!

The Sure-Fit Designs Kits as you know them, have undergone a face-lift, update and re-design.  What does this mean?

• The technical how-to-draw-the-patterns art has been changed to offer even more detailed instructions and illustrations for all of the kits.

• The fashion art for the Shirt, Children's Kits and Men's Instructional Package has been updated

• In terms of the actual master patterns, no change has been made to the Dress, Pants or Children's Kit Master Patterns.  They are still the same excellent patterns that have been offered for the last 30 years.

• The Shirt Kit Master Patterns have changed.  Before, these patterns included seam allowances.  With this revision, the Shirt Kit Master Patterns no longer include seam allowances.  That means they will be consistent in how to draw them like the other patterns in the line.

• With this product revision and update, there will be a Kit and Combo price increase as of March 15, 2015.

Close-Out Sale on Current Kit Inventory

Saturday March 7 to 14, 2015

or until supplies run out.

Click Here, choose your kit(s), Add to Cart, then enter Discount Code: SALE30

If you've been wanting to get a specific kit to add to your fitting supplies, now is the perfect time.  Here's what you'll find on sale - all at 30% off:

Just click here - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/index-closeoutsale.html

Items must be ordered from the above page in order to receive your discount.
Thanks so much to all of you for your continued and ongoing support.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

T-Shirt Tactics

Everybody loves to wear T-shirts.  For some they are a wardrobe staple - for others they are only occasional wear.  Whatever their place is in your clothing needs, you have choices within the Sure-Fit Designs fitting and designing system as to how you approach this style of garment.

Typically, the T-shirt is relatively close fitting and does not have a bust dart and is sewn from a knit fabric.  The no-bust dart feature does present a problem for you full-busted women.  You all know you will always achieve a superior fit when your pattern has a bust dart.

The Sure-Fit Designs pattern kits provide either the darted bodice pattern from the Dress Kit, or the undarted pattern from the Shirt Kit.  Most of you already know that the Dress Kit bodice has 2 1/2" (6.4 cm) ease in the bust circumference, whereas the Shirt Kit has 5-6" (12.7 - 15.2 cm) ease in the chest circumference.

Which kit to use for your T-shirt?   Since the T-Shirt is usually undarted with a closer fit to the body, you'd use the Dress Kit bodice (with the bust dart).  If you use the Shirt Kit, you'll have a looser fit and a much deeper armscye.

Ah Ha!  In comes my new article, T-Shirt Tactics, where I offer an alternative which uses the Dress Kit bodice and I show you how to remove the dart!  The result offers a fit that is closer to your body, the armscye is not as deep as with the Shirt Kit, and this process generally provides an excellent T-shirt alternative.

Yes I know it doesn't have a bust dart anymore, so you full-busted ladies will inevitably end up with some folding in the armscye that points toward your bust.  And no doubt, the shirt will likely hike up somewhat in the front because your don't have that bust dart shaping your bustline.  But since you are going to be sewing with a forgiving knit fabric, usually these issues are minimized.  But at least, you have 3 great choices now to design your favorite T-shirt with the Sure-Fit Designs patterns.

• Dress Kit bodice with dart

• Shirt Kit pattern - no dart - deeper armscye

• Dress Kit bodice without dart

To download your copy of the T-Shirt Tactics article with instructions to remove the dart, please Click Here, then simply scroll toward the middle of the page where you'll see the link for the .pdf file.

Just for fun and for interest, I finished my T-shirt with a self-fabric 2 1/2" wide band at the hem level, scooped the neck edge 2" all the way around and then filled in with a 1 1/2" self-fabric band.  A small tab was inserted at CF while applying the neck band and finished with a decorative button.

And another great benefit is that it can be 'Made in a Day'!  It's just one more quick project for you.

Give it a try and send me your comments and photos.  When you send your photos, I'll put together a T-Shirt collage...and show off all of your work.  Please send photos to info@surefitdesigns.com.
Enjoy,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!

Think Beyond Size

Do you realize how irrelevant the term 'size' is when it comes to women's clothing?  In one store you might wear a 'size 8' and in the next store you might need a 'size 12'.  It all depends on the manufacturer and and the standards that they use for the expression of their clothing.  And if you have to choose the larger 'size', psychologically this could have a negative impact because you've had to choose the larger size.

It's a very provocative question isn't it when someone asks 'What size are you?'  This can mean many different things to different people.  So chuck those labels out the door and just be who you are!

Isn't it great that with the Sure-Fit Designs fitting system, size is totally a non-issue.  I've had many ladies email to tell me how wonderful it is to finally be liberated from even thinking about what size they might be.

Think 'measurement' not 'size'!  Many of you know that the Sure-Fit Designs master patterns offer measurement ranging from 28" (71 cm) to 62" (157.5 cm).  I know that in this photo you can't see all the measurement dots, but in every strategic location, there are a series of dots with the measurement numbers (both in imperial and metric) beside the dot.  All you do is mark in your unique measurement dots, then connect your dots together with the SFD Designing Stylus.  It's a great tool to use for drawing your personalized body blueprint with all the SFD master patterns.

Women have such unique shapes and Sure-Fit Designs provides such a great alternative to achieving the absolutely best fit for your body the way it is now.  Enjoy being who you are and the way you are right now.  Sewing well-fitting garments can only enhance how feel about yourself.  When your clothing fits...you simply feel better.  Enjoy this new-found freedom.

If you're new to Sure-Fit Designs and this blog, I'd encourage you to click on over to the SFD Learning Center Video Library to see the actual process of how to blueprint your body shape.

So as we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015 let's simply say 'adios' to all those stigmatizing labels and just be who we are.

Happy New Year,

Glenda...the Good Stitch!
(PS) Color blocking is coming!

An Australian Wedding

I just love it when you send me photos of your SFD creations and now I have an Australian wedding to share with you.  And for a little history...many of you know (particularly our Aussy customers) that way back when, we traveled extensively in Australia introducing the Sure-Fit Designs fitting system to our friends and fellow seamstresses Down Under.  In one of those Queensland seminars, mum and daughter (Gayle) attended the event.  Gayle was then a teenager.  Mum and daughter loved using SFD.  As can happen, throughout the years their sewing activity ebbed and flowed.

Fast forward to 2014, with Gayle now being a mother whose daughter was getting married in November 2014.  Gayle decided she was going to sew her daughter's wedding gown as well as the dresses for the bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids.  As you all can guess, these young ladies were all different shapes and measurements.  Then she remembered the flexibility of sewing with Sure-Fit Designs.  Throughout the months preceding the wedding, I periodically gave advice to Gayle as she designed, tested and sewed the finished bridal party dresses.

Gayle has done a wonderful job and has so kindly shared her creations with me.  It's truly a delight to see the results of her efforts.  Here's the bridal photo story:

 

 

Even the men's ties where custom-sewn.

And here is Gayle - the Mother of the Bride.  Here dress was also custom sewn, actually by her neighbor who also uses Sure-Fit Designs.

Gayle, you must be extremely proud of yourself.  Many months of effort paid off handsomely in your custom creations.  What a beautiful wedding party!

Thanks so much for sharing!  I know everyone reading will appreciate seeing your stunning results.

Kindly,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!