Fit for Real People: Sew Great Clothes Using Any Pattern Paperback – September 1, 2002

I’ve read the whole book and as a beginner sewist i love all that I’ve learned from the book. It’s easy to read and understand

I wanted to make some tops, as I was fed up of badly fitting store bought ones. The sewing websites all enthused about this book.It was a relevation - I am normal (and so are you) and heres how to adjust patterns to accommodate your own particular shape. There are lots of diagrams and photos of real people. I have already drafted several styles and they all fit.You buy a pattern to fit your upper bust measurement and then make the required changes - I was never taught this at school and yet it is so obvious.There have been several attempts to make some of the alterations in tissue, but that is the fault of the user (me), not the instructor. Like all things you get better with practice.The start of the book gives some history behind how the various sizes came about, which I found interesting. Then its into how to adjust patterns. I have used it to help a friend who has the opposite shape to me and she was so happy, she is going to get her own copy.

Everything I ever needed to know about fitting but ignored when my mom tried to teach me when I was 12. I've been pretty much your once-in-a-while sewer and knew the things I made mostly didn't fit, but didn't have much idea how to identify the problem, much less know what to do about it. In terms I can understand, these ladies addressed every problem I've ever had AND helped me understand WHY I have that fitting problem AND what to do about it. They make perfect sense both in what they say and how they say it. And, like my mom, they teach you how to do the fit in the paper itself, same as my mom. Plus, they offer a lot of handy tip and ways to do routine things. I read it cover to cover and I feel like sewing now could actually become a pleasure instead of a massive exercise in frustration. FINALLY! This book is staying ON the sewing cabinet at all times!!!

Excellent. I really wanted a way to fit my clothes that I am making, and this was the most informative. I took a pattern making class at the community college which didn't address fitting issues at all. This is my favorite sewing book. Has other great info, too, like the history of sewing patterns presented in such an interesting way. Very readable, very clear instructions on fitting patterns. You learn what your fit issues are and how to adjust a pattern, why currently patterns "your size" don't fit. I think a lot of people try to make a garment, it doesn't fit, and they throw in the towel. If you take the time to learn your issues, it should become easier and easier to tailor your clothes because you'll know what to do. Wonderful.

I should have noticed that none of the models on the cover of this book were wearing pants. So I guess it's my own fault that I was disappointed to find that pants fitting is no part of this book. In fact, pants only appear in one or two illustrations and are mentioned briefly in one paragraph. It turns out that there is another book by these authors that covers pants.I bought the book because, even though I've been sewing a long time and have made everything up to and including lined tailored jackets, you can always learn something new. And in fact, I did pick up a few tips and ideas that will be helpful in fitting tops and jackets. The issue with commercial patterns is that they are all over the map as far as fit is concerned. You can't adjust them all the same way and have them come out with the same fit. As I've grown older and, shall we say, lumpier, it's gotten harder to make things work.I do agree with others that the tissue fitting that is a major part of this book is difficult and not always useful because tissue paper fits differently than fabric. However, looking at the photos of the pin fits on the various models, made me aware of some issues I have and how I can give the ideas in the book a try without actually messing around with pinning the fragile tissue paper on my body.Speaking of paper, I always have a roll of paper on hand to trace off the patterns. This preserves the original, reduces the probability that I'll cut on the wrong line of the multi-size pattern (since I only trace the right ones!) and allows me to get wild and crazy with making adjustments. If i wanted to pin-fit I could without tearing my original pattern beyond repair. I can always go back to the original pattern pieces and re-trace if my experiments go too astray.I highly recommend buying a bolt of muslin on sale and making muslins. It doesn't take that long and it will give a better idea of fit than making yourself crazy with the pattern tissue paper.All in all, I'm not sorry I bought the book (except for the pants thing!) and I'm looking forward to trying a couple of things on the next jacket I make.

This book was recommended by several friends who sew their own clothing. It is well written and pictures show everything.

I love this book and it's a perfect guide to fitting your BODICES. Please know they've made many books for each area: pants, skirts, knits and maybe a jacket -- I can't say for certain. Do keep in mind that this book is great for your upper body needs, but falls short on anything else.I do love how this book doesn't just show a standard 1 dart FBA; this book goes into detail about raglan FBAs, kimono FBAs, dartless FBAs, etc.Although it's an older book and hasn't added additional contemporary adjustments, it's perfect as a go-to for your basic upper body adjustments.